Murphy O’Brien Celebrates 30 Years in the Business

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Award-winning public relations agency Murphy O’Brien—founded by Palisadians Karen Murphy O’Brien and Brett O’Brien—celebrated its 30-year anniversary with a cocktail soiree at The Peninsula Beverly Hills.

Karen and Brett, longtime residents of The Highlands, founded the company in May of 1989.

“Brett and I are so proud to have created a service business that has enjoyed 30 years of growth and success,” Karen shared with the Palisadian-Post. “We are now the largest independent public relations agency in Los Angeles.”

More than 40 members of the Los Angeles media and digital influencer community celebrated with the Murphy O’Brien team. Festivities included a Murphy O’Brien orange cocktail, small bites and giveaways to client properties across the globe like The Peninsula Hong Kong, Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, Thompson Seattle, Esperanza, An Auberge Resort and more.

Murphy O’Brien is known for its work with luxury travel, real estate and lifestyle brands—including Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas, The Cheesecake Factory and Shutters on the Beach.

Karen explained that the firm has amassed more than 300 awards on behalf of clients over the past three decades, but the award she is most proud of is this Los Angeles Business Journal Annual Best Places to Work Award.

“This award emanates from our team and is a recognition of the culture we have created,” she added.

She shared that it is “truly meaningful” and a “testament to our overall success strategy.”

“With nearly 60 employees, including 10 management team members with over 100 years of combined tenure, we look forward to the next generation of PR and social/digital media marketing,” Karen shared. “The media landscape is forever changing and we have adapted and innovated to become an integral part of the future. We have built a high tech, high touch agency that is powered by long term relationships with clients, the media and employees.”