When we founded Penn Gardner a decade ago, we said public relations was not rocket science. Now we’re not so sure. Today communications is more challenging than ever.  And we have adapted, grown.  Unconventional thinking, savvy strategies and elegant execution have taken our clients from ordinary to extraordinary, producing powerful results. We do our homework, ask the right questions…. and most importantly we listen.

Penelope Forman
Penelope Forman, president of Penn Gardner Inc is a former editor of Condé Nast, Public Relations director for The Plaza Hotel. As marketing director for Thomsen Enterprises, she orchestrated the introduction of Voslau mineral water into the country from Austria.

While VP with EPA Associates, a Manhattan based fashion advertising and PR agency, she toured the county hosting fashion shows at major department stores. The firm’s account roster included: Georgio St. Angelo, Calvin Klein, Bon Jour, Russ and Catalina. While there. she created and promoted the “Save the Animals” promotion for Lord & Taylor, nation-wide.

As a Senior Account Executive with Howard Bloom, (a leading entertainment agency in Manhattan), she promoted a star studded roster of celebrities including Prince, Spyro Gyra, Peter Frampton, Billy Joel, Joan Jett and Al Jerreau. She served as publicity arm for the long awaited reunion of Simon & Garfunkel in Central Park and Shea Stadium. Additionally, she spear-headed the national John Lennon Bag One Tour (posthumously).

As vice president of Information Counselors, a Fairfield county based firm, her clients included Nielsen/Arbitron Rating Service, Donnelly Marketing Information Services (the demographic arm of Dunn & Bradstreet) and Deloitte and Touche.

She founded Penn Gardner Inc.with a strong real estate client base including Houlihan Lawrence, Westchester’s most prestigious firm and assisted them in marketing the major properties and grand estates in the county. (coups included marketing the first estate to sell over 5 million and the Ralph Lauren property in Bedford). The firm also developed marketing materials for HL’s stable of developers. For almost a decade , the firm retained divisions of Sotheby’s and Realtech, Fairfield’s largest real estate firm along with a roster of illustrious architects and top builders.

Under her leadership, the firm’s  prestigious roster of clients has included major banks, financial consultants, Danbury and New Milford Hospitals along with a select group of   non-profits.  For almost a decade they served as marketing arm of the Housatonic Valley Tourism District mounting successful campaigns on behalf of the Housatonic Valley Classicwhich drew cyclists from all over the world,  The Eastern Scrabble Championship that became the Wimbleton of scrabble competitions  and the award winning Antique Scavenger Hunt.  Gala events were staged for openings of the long anticipated area ice rink, the Harley Davidson dealership (largest in Connecticut), Golf Quest in Brookfield and Southington, among others.

She has sat on the Board of Directors for the Western Connecticut Chapter of the Red Cross, the Ridgefield Theatre Workshop and The Charles Ives Center for the Performing Arts and  Ridgefield Operation Animal Rescue.   She has donated her  firm’s efforts to promoting Danbury’s First Night and The Nutmeg Opera Company. As Co-chair of  Deck the Halls, a star-studded fund raiser for new Milford Hospital, she developed the lucrative Celebrity Gift Basket program. She continues to be a strong supporter and champion of  area cultural and arts groups.