Remembering Howard Geltzer, the PR visionary behind the Sony Walkman [Video]

The pioneering publicist transformed consumer electronics marketing, mentored future leaders and championed education throughout his remarkable career.

Howard Geltzer, a visionary in consumer electronics and public relations, passed away last week in Los Angeles at the age of 88.

Best known for his pivotal role in the US launch of the Sony Walkman in 1980, Geltzer left behind a legacy that transformed people’s engagement with technology and media.

Born in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, Geltzer developed a love for storytelling during the golden age of broadcast journalism, tuning into news and baseball on the radio. This passion led him to earn his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.

After early roles at General Electric and Family Health magazine, Geltzer and his wife Sheila co-founded Geltzer & Co., a public relations agency, in New York City in 1974. Their client roster included Sony, Motorola, Samsung, Commodore, …

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