Howard Geltzer, PR mastermind behind Walkman campaign, dies
He founded Geltzer & Co. with his wife, Sheila.

Howard Geltzer, co-owner of Geltzer & Co., has died at age 88. Together with his wife Sheila, he founded PR firm Geltzer & Company.
The agency boasted clients including Samsung, Motorola and Black & Decker Housewares. However, its biggest contribution to the PR space was its campaign for the iconic Sony Walkman. According to Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, Media and Integrated Marketing, from which Geltzer was an alumnus, the Walkman initially had no budget – save for its contract with Geltzer. The firm’s work helped make the music player a household name and cemented its place in PR history.
After 26 years in business, the Geltzers sold the agency to Publicis in 2000. Howard Geltzer went on to join the faculty at NYU’s Stern School of Business. Sheila died in 2022.
Outside of work, he loved and supported Broadway theater, symphony at the Lincoln Center and the Pittsburgh Pirates.