When the staff of the United Nations Children's Fund was faced with the challenge of developing an HIV/AIDS communications solution for youth in the Caribbean, they called on Robert Dabney. With more than 25 years' experience as a problem-solver in the communications industry around the world, Robert's background includes work as a journalist and public relations practitioner in the government, non-profit, Non-Governmental Organization, public relations agency and corporate arenas.

As a U.S. Naval Reserve Officer (NROTC) four-year scholarship winner, Robert chose to matriculate at Tulane University in New Orleans where he quickly developed a reputation as a leader in the university's communication division. After Tulane, Robert worked as an award-winning radio reporter, covering breaking news stories and politics in New Orleans and throughout the U.S. Subsequently, he was called on to serve in the Public Information Office of the Mayor of New Orleans, rising to head that office and earn the distinction of being the first person of color to hold the position of Press Secretary to the Mayor in the history of the city.

Following his career in government, Robert went on to lead public relations efforts for such organizations as Coors; Burrell Public Relations; Hill and Knowlton, Inc. Global Public Relations; the National Minority AIDS Council of Washington, DC and the International AIDS Trust, headed by former Presidents William J. Clinton of the United States and Nelson Mandela of South Africa.

Robert started his consultancy in 2005 out of a desire to bring his vast experience to bear on developmental issues facing the people of the Caribbean. He has assisted clients as diverse as UNICEF, CARICOM (The Caribbean Community), the Caribbean Hotel Association and SFA Communications. In 2007, Robert was pegged to assist in the development and implementation of a communications plan to support the rebuilding efforts targeting more than 1000 homes in the flood ravaged community of New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. He has continued to work on both the physical and cultural rebuilding of New Orleans, providing communications leadership on a 2007 housing initiative led by former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Henry Cisneros. Robert also managed the public relations efforts supporting "African Footprint," the hit South African play, during its U.S. premiere in New Orleans in November, 2007. His creative and dogged efforts resulted in pre-opening radio and television appearances by Academy Award winning actor and play producer Louis Gossett, Jr., rave reviews in the city's major newspapers and sold-out houses every night of the run in New Orleans.


Robert has also developed communications solutions for clients involved in several International AIDS Conferences as well as United States Presidential political conventions.
 

One of the measurements of success in the Public Relations field is recognition by one's peers.  Robert Dabney is the recipient of one of the most prestigious awards in the industry, the Silver Anvil Award of the Publicity Club of Chicago.

Robert divides his time between offices in the Caribbean and the United States.  He is a member of many civic and professional organisations.  He served as Vice-chair of the Amtrak Customer Advisory Committee for five years and is a member of the board of directors of the FairPlay Foundation of New Orleans.  Robert is also a classically-trained church organist and choral director.