R&J founder and Chief Executive Officer, John Lonsdorf, was presented with an ICON Award from NJBIZ in recognition of his success in creating and leading one of the most respected, admired and accomplished strategic communications agencies in the Greater New York/New Jersey region. The NJBIZ ICON Awards recognize New Jersey business leaders over the age of 60 for their notable success and demonstration of strong leadership within their chosen field and the state’s larger business community. Lonsdorf was honored in the virtual ceremony on August 18th.

Lonsdorf’s vision and leadership are best summed up in the R&J Strategic Communications mission statement – To Make a Difference. Through this mission, R&J strives to make a demonstrable difference for its clients, its team members, and its communities. A singular focus on making a difference has guided Lonsdorf in business and in life over the past three decades. It has also earned him the trust and respect of countless colleagues and business leaders across the region throughout his career.

Lonsdorf has applied his innovative approach to marketing and communications to help New Jersey companies grow and prosper no matter the economic circumstances. He impacts every account at R&J through his unrelenting focus on strategic direction and his commitment to delivering with maximum return on every client’s marketing communications investment. Most recently, Lonsdorf’s vision and leadership have been tested by the COVID-19 pandemic, through which he has guided the agency and its clients with sound and invaluable counsel.

“I’ve been extremely fortunate to have worked side-by-side with John for more than 20 years,” said Scott Marioni, President of R&J. “It would be impossible to overstate how much I’ve learned from him about leadership and integrity, or how proud I am to have been a part of so much important and meaningful work that was made possible by John’s founding and leading this firm.”

Over the course of 33 years, Lonsdorf has led R&J Strategic Communications through several evolutionary changes, each of which positioned the firm ahead of the curve in a dynamic and ever-changing industry. Originally founded in 1986 as Roberts & John Advertising and Public Relations, the agency most recently rebranded in 2015 as R&J Strategic Communications, with expanded digital and design offerings and capabilities to create a fully integrated communications agency. Through taking a broad look at the industry, Lonsdorf has been able to position R&J to proactively address changes in the marketing and public relations fields and continue to prosper, delivering results for clients amidst a shifting media landscape.

While many PR firms have yet to adapt to this new age of integrated communication, Lonsdorf’s foresight positions R&J and its clients for continued success by mixing traditional PR practices with exciting digital and social methodologies. Today, R&J Strategic Communications represents many of the state’s most-successful prestigious healthcare, real estate, and professional services companies, several of New Jersey’s most respected non-profit organizations, as well as national well-known consumer brands.

The success of his vision has been manifest in not just the firm’s ongoing prosperity; under his leadership, R&J has also been recognized by NJBIZ as one of the Best Places to Work in New Jersey six times, earning the number three spot for small and mid-sized business in 2017. The agency has also earned Top PR Firm rankings and Best Places to Work in PR from PR News and more than 100 awards for PR campaigns and design / creative work over the past 33 years. His storied career in the public relations field also earned him a spot in the NJ Ad Club Hall of Fame’s Class of 2019.