Jim Pritchitt In Memoriam
2 hours, 16 minutes ago
IPRA pays its respects to Jim Pritchitt, who died peacefully in Sydney, Australia on Sunday 23 November 2025 aged 85. Jim was IPRA President in 1992.
Jim’s journey to the leadership of IPRA was exemplary. Joining IPRA in 1978, he became an active member during a period when Australia was emerging as an influential contributor to global public relations. Following the success of the 1988 World Public Relations Congress in Melbourne, Jim joined IPRA’s Council and Board. His leadership coincided with a dynamic decade of Australian involvement in IPRA. Membership more than doubled, and by 1992 Australia held the third-largest national IPRA membership in the world.
In 1992, Jim became IPRA’s second Australian President. He championed IPRA’s emphasis on professional standards and played a pivotal role in producing IPRA’s Gold Paper No. 11 on public relations evaluation (1994).
Jim was a distinguished communications leader, a guiding voice in international public relations, and one of Australia’s most respected professionals in financial communications. In 2003 he co-founded what is now PritchittBland Communications, a firm built on his values of thoughtful counsel, integrity, and professionalism.
Jim’s impact extended far beyond Australia. He forged friendships across continents, opened doors for young practitioners, and embraced IPRA as a place where international collaboration was both meaningful and human. Colleagues recall his kindness, his ability to make others shine, and even his quietly mischievous sense of humour.
We extend our condolences to his wife Maggie, his daughters Claudia and Sally, and their families. Jim was proud that the firm he built continues under Claudia’s leadership.
Many remember Jim as a true gentleman, “one of the old-school greats”, whose calm wisdom, generosity, and mentorship shaped careers across Australia and beyond.
IPRA thanks Bob Grupp IPRA President 2008 for this memorial.
Contact
International Public Relations Association Secretariat
United Kingdom
Telephone +44 1634 818308
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