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Michael Kleiner brings over 30 years of journalism and public relations experience to his business. Prior to starting Michael Kleiner Public Relations Consulting and Web Design, he served as Director of Communications at Abington Friends School in Jenkintown, PA from 1995-98, Director of Sports Information and Promotions at Philadelphia College of Textiles & Science from 1986-92,and as a sportswriter at Montgomery Newspapers in suburban Philadelphia from 1982-86. In between he earned an Ed.M. in Educational Technology from Temple University in 1995, complementing his B.A. degree in Journalism and History attained in 1980 from Rutgers University.

Whether as a journalist or public relations pracitioner, whether sports or non-sports, Kleiner has established a remarkable record of media placement - locally, nationally, and internationally -- and earned the respect and accolades of peers, media and the people he has written about. He is adept at promotion of special events, anniversaries and milestones.

At Abington Friends School, in addition to general publicity, Kleiner was also responsible for attaining visibility for The Josephine Muller Gallery on campus, the 1997 and 1998 Camp Fairs, 1995, 1996 and 1997 Craft Shows and Book Fairs, and 1998 Auction.

By far, the highlight of his tenure at AFS was the year-long 300th anniversary celebration in 1996-97, where the challenge was to continually obtain publicity for the multitude of special events commemorating the anniversary, while also receiving coverage of the general activities at the School. He was also responsible for trying to obtain letters of recognition from politicians. Following is a summary of the coverage for the 300th anniversary (This does not include duplicate coverage of the different events):

Media:
The Record
Jenkintown Times-Chronicle
The Philadelphia Inquirer Neighbors
The Philadelphia Inquirer City Edition
The Philadelphia Inquirer Weekend Section
People Magazine
Quaker Life Magazine
MetroKids
Parents Express
Art Matters newspaper
Chestnut Hill Local
Mt. Airy Times Express
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting News
Jenkintown Life
TV stations
Kleiner also worked cooperatively with the Times-Chronicle to produce a special supplement on the 300th anniversary, and coordinated AFS’ involvement in The Record’s Create An Advertisement supplement, where junior and senior art students created ads promoting the Anniversary party. Winners had their artwork published in the special issue.

“...Planning the 300th Birthday Celebration was a true experience of the commitment, community and character of Abington Friends School...We are especially appreciative of Michael Kleiner who worked closely with us from the beginning on careful publicity for the event. We were impressed with his knowledge of media coverage possibilities and with his contacts in the field. He worked hard to make sure that announcements and articles were available in a timely fashion, and he accomplished creative and effective advertisements within our budget....Thanks to his quiet and thorough approach, the surrounding community has heard yet again about the special qualities of Abington Friends School.” Shelley and Bonnie Schorsch, Clerks, 300th Birthday Celebration Abington Friends School

Letters of Recognition/Special Notice Obtained in honor of AFS’ 300th Anniversary:  
President Bill Clinton
Vice-President Al Gore
U.S. Senators Arlen Specter and Rick Santorum
U.S. Rep. Jon Fox, who also had the anniversary and School’s history entered in the Congressional Record
Governor Tom Ridge
State Senator Stewart Greenleaf
State Reps. Ellen Bard and Lawrence Curry
Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell, who proclaimed
May 3 Abington Friends School Day
Featured twice in Crown Lights above PECO Energy building

By the end of his time at AFS, the School had been featured on the front page of the three local papers 34 times and attained its highest enrollment.

In the spring of 1997, a delegation from the Fourth Middle School in Tianjin, People’s Republic of China visited Abington Friends to explore the possibility of a student and faculty exchange between the two schools. Kleiner spent most of the day they visited as a host (with a member of the delgation at left). In the spring of 1998, four students and a teacher from the Chinese school spent two months at AFS. When they left, they included him among those they gave gifts.

Philadelphia College of Textiles & Science

As the lone Sports Information Director at Philadelphia College of Textiles & Science (1986-92), Michael Kleiner was responsible for promoting 18 intercollegiate men’s and women’s teams. His writing and brochures received recognition from the College Sports Information Directors of America. Kleiner wrote a comprehensive weekly report covering all the sports that was sent to a large mailing list of media, including athletes’ home town newspapers. The soccer team was a traditional Division I power, while the men’s and women’s basketball teams were prominent Division II teams.

Among his major accomplishments were the public relations campaigns highlighting men’s basketball coach Herb Magee’s quest for his 400th (in 1987-88) and 500th (1991-92) career victories, both of which were conceived, implemented and executed by Kleiner. Below are results of these efforts. These campaigns were followed by Herb Magee Nights, which Kleiner played a major role in developing. The tributes included proclamations from the city and state, and appearances by Charles Barkley (1988), Jim Lynam (1988 and 1992) and Mayor Ed Rendell (1992).

Results of Media Campaigns for Herb Magee’s Coaching Milestones
500th Coaching Victory (Selected)	400th Coaching Victory (Selected)
Cover of Philadelphia Daily News 1991-92 College Basketball Preview Issue	Sports Illustrated
Philadelphia Inquirer	Philadelphia Inquirer
PRISM Cable produced 15-minute feature	Philadelphia Daily News
Eastern Basketball	Associated Press (Denver Post)
Basketball Times	Chestnut Hill Local
Trenton Times	Mt. Airy Times Express
USA Today	TV Channels 3, 6, 10, 29
Sports Illustrated	Radio Stations WIP-AM, KYW-AM and WCAU-AM
Associated Press	Instructional Herb Magee shooting video produced
Norristown Times-Herald
Chestnut Hill Local
Mt. Airy Times Express
TV Channels 3, 6, 10, 29
Radio Stations WIP-AM, KYW-AM and WCAU-AM

Kleiner was also instrumental in the following special events:
  single-handedly arranging a 20th anniversary tribute to PCT&S’ 1970 men’s basketball national champions. He wrote letters to the players and developed the tribute program.

“Dear Mike, “1970 -- one moment in time... Yes, 1970 was a special time. Pride in accomplishment, an intensity that was noticed four years earlier by Jack McKinney, encouraged by Bucky Harris, challenged by Gary Rupert and focused by Herb Magee. This intensity would continue throughout the lives of the people who were grouped together for a short period of time at PCT&S... “1990 -- one moment in time... For one night, we were 22 again. The ups and downs that surround everyone’s life were temporarily put on a shelf. The team was back together to laugh and share memories...but most of all we remembered the intensity, friendship of years shared together. Shaped by the theme of Alumni Night, the School did everything possible to rekindle the spark and to show genuine pride in the accomplishments of a brash group of students coached by a man who still gets to do a job that he loves and who has done so much for the school and the men he has helped develop that thank you seems to be a trivial way to express the gratitude. My children (3 teenagers) said they never saw me happier. To be recognized publicly with the people I admire in front of the people I love, will be a moment in time that will never leave me. It is for this reason that I would like...to thank you, Mike...for putting this night together. It wasn’t something that needed to be done, but just as the reality of our athletic accomplishments have been enlarged over time, your hard work and thoughtfulness will never be forgotten...My wish for you and the school is that these moments in time never cease. “Once again, thank you for caring.” Jim McGilvery PCT&S ’70

“Dear Mike, Just a note to thank you and congratulate you on the job you did at pulling together the ‘1970 Dream Team.’ The events that you and your staff coordinated were all first class. Needless to say, the evening was a great event -- seeing many, many old friends. You certainly went the extra distance with all the press releases and also providing the tape (of the evening). Dedicated workers like yourself are what continue to make Textile a very special place. I would appreciate it if you would have the enclosed contribution given to the right person...Thanks for the memories.” Mike Lynam April 10, 1990

 

creation of the gym’s banner display honoring the School’s athletic achievements and organizing a night to honor PCT&S’ All-Americans.

 

assisted PCT&S in hosting conference basketball tournaments in 1989, 1991 and 1992, and the ECAC and NCAA regional baseball playoffs in 1990.

 

cooperated with the demands and needs of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) when the soccer team (twice), men’s basketball (three times) and women’ s basketball team (once) participated in the NCAA tournaments. The men’s basketball team reached the Elite Eight in 1991, and the baseball team played in the Division II World Series in 1990.

“Dear Mike, “Great meeting and working with you during the Elite Eight! “I’ve not been to every championship, but I would venture to say our ‘crew’ is as good as any this side of the Division I Final Four. That is in large part due to your help both when your team was and wasn’t playing...” John D. Painter Assistant Statistics Coordinator National Collegiate Athletic Association April 4, 1991

“Dear Mike, “The success of the NCAA baseball tournament was directly related to your efforts in public relations and keeping accurate statistics. I am proud of the work you did in seeing that this event was capably hosted by the College and completed in an efficient manner. Thank you for your continued good work and loyalty to this institution.” Dr. James P. Gallagher, President Philadelphia College of Textiles & Science May 30, 1990

“Dear Dr. Gallagher: “On behalf of the membership of the Mideast Collegiate Conference, we express our sincere appreciation to your institution for hosting the championship tournament...I would be remiss not to acknowledge the efforts of Dr. Len Nardone and his staff, particularly Mike Kleiner, in administering the tournament in a first-class manner. Everyone was very hospitable and cooperative and they are to be commended...” Howard Elwell, President Mideast Collegiate Conference March 30, 1989

In addition to these special events and campaigns, Kleiner’s responsiblities included producing media guides; keeping track of statistics at basketball and soccer games; training and overseeing student workers to do those jobs; media relations; filing game results to newspapers, TV and radio; maintaining statistics and records; conducting historical research, filing weekly statistical and Player of the Week nominations to the ECAC, NCAA and the conferences, and occasionally serving as the public address announcer at soccer games.

“Dear Mike, “Thanks for everything over the past four years. You have done more for me and taught me more than I could ever explain. The good part is that it was fun and exciting at times. But, also, I feel I made a friend. Thank you for your recommendations and support in my job search.” Jim Hanlon Student Worker

“Dear Mike, “Thank you very much for all of the services that you have provided for me. I feel that your commitment to me and to Textile far exceed your professional obligations. For your unrelentless efforts, I thank you.” Ian Swift Track and Cross-Country star

Montgomery Newspapers

Michael Kleiner was a sportswriter at Montgomery Newspapers, a chain of newspapers in suburban Philadelphia, from 1982-1986, starting out as a stringer, before becoming a full-time staff member. His beat was high school girls sports and he was highly respected in the community for his reporting. He also wrote features about local athletes who were playing in college, and covered semi-pro baseball. During part of the time he was at Montgomery, the company published two daily newspapers, and he had the opportunity to cover some professional sports. The sports sections received national awards.

“Dear Mike, “Just a short note to thank you most sincerely for the recent article you did on me in the ‘Today’s Post.’ I have received numerous compliments about the content of your article. Looking through scrapbooks of years past, I find that it is the most meaningful, well-done piece of journalism afforded to me in eight years of basketball. “I have recently sent a copy to Bruce Levy in New York, who is now my agent for international basketball. I am very proud that your work will be viewed by several agents in the European market. Your time and consideration is deeply appreciated...” Jennie Hall then Rutgers University women’s basketball star (She played several years in Europe and always called with updates.)

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