Gable PR

Introduction | History | Team / Partners | Awards | Community Connections

30 years of creativity, innovation, results

Since the opening of the original Tom Gable PR in 1976, our proven approach, creativity and commitment to results have supported some of the San Diego region’s most important economic, business, cultural, civic and community initiatives.

Gable PR programs are on the leading edge of change and growth. We have built image and awareness for new developments; launched new products; helped start-ups gain traction and grow; promoted breakthroughs in life sciences and technology; generated buzz for new destinations; educated millions about important regional issues; built and rebuilt reputations; and stopped crises in their tracks.

The following are highlights of some of the areas we’ve been involved in over the past three decades. For more detail, check our Case Histories, Areas of Expertise and Community Connections sections.

Gable PR currently represents Pfizer Global Research and Development (PGRD) on the west coast and was one of the first agencies in the region to help emerging biotech companies, developing programs to educate media, analysts, investors and potential partners about client teams, vision, future market and breakthroughs in science or technology. Clients have included Hybritech, Gen-Probe, Amylin, Biosite, Vical, Dura, Burnham Institute, San Diego Regional Cancer Center (Sidney Kimmell) and the La Jolla Institute for Molecular Medicine.

Agency teams have supported some of the region’s most important growth programs with strategic public relations, including the expansion of UCSD Medical Center, opening of the Thornton Hospital, a major addition to Mercy Hospital and the launch of a branch clinic system by Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation. A combined investor relations and public relations program to turn around the image for PHP Healthcare, a NYSE-traded managed care organization, was awarded a Silver Anvil (the Oscar of the PR profession, see Awards for more detail).

Gable was a pioneer in Internet programs, launching the world’s first Internet Payment System in 1994; serving as the agency of record for the Internet Society during a period of rapid growth; implementing a Silver Anvil-winning program for the Council of Internet Registrars (CORE); and launching several breakthrough e-commerce concepts in greeting cards, flowers (Proflowers.com), Internet answering machines and Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP).

Agency teams have helped clients achieve their growth goals in many fields, including microwave telecommunication, wireless, software, hardware, peripherals, diagnostics, satellite communication, information technology and breakthrough medical devices – the list is extensive (Digital Microwave, Nokia, Fair Isaac, Spectragraphics, Lightpointe, AT&T Small Business Systems, Apparent Networks and VistaInfo), including the launch of many startups.

Gable teams were selected to launch the first two Marriott hotels in San Diego (La Jolla and San Diego), the Torrey Pines Hilton (as a Sheraton Grande), the DoubleTree in Mission Valley and Omni San Diego (Horton Plaza). Repositioning programs include promoting the transformations of the San Diego Hilton and Catamaran Bay Resort; and the Pasadena and University Hiltons in Los Angeles as part of a bigger program for Hilton Western Region, which included the Los Angeles and Las Vegas Hiltons.

Award-winning programs included the launch of San Diego Seaport Village, Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara and Shoreline Village in Long Beach. Gable teams also earned the highest honors in retailing from the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) for their work in repositioning Fashion Island in Newport Beach and University Towne Centre, North County Fair and Parkway Plaza in San Diego, plus anniversary celebrations for Horton Plaza.

Gable launched the San Diego Trolley, then led community outreach for nine years for the largest infrastructure program in county history -- the expansion of the line from Old Town through Mission Valley to La Mesa (another Silver Anvil winner). The agency implemented other award-winning programs for the North County Transit District, SANDAG and the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority.

The agency has been involved in the evolution of downtown San Diego over several decades in promoting Class A properties for Koll, Trammell Crow, Manchester and Lankford & Associates. It launched the San Diego Tech Center, the first major development on Sorrento Mesa, Regents Square in the Golden Triangle (UTC area) and Carlsbad Research Center, the pioneering R&D and business park near Palomar Airport.

The results include award-winning case histories for Pardee in getting through regulatory approvals and launching Carmel Valley and Del Mar Highlands, and for Bren at La Jolla Colony. Other success stories abound, including those for Lennar, Watt, Taylor Woodrow and TechBilt.

Success stories include the 75th anniversary of the San Diego Zoo (Silver Anvil winner), 25th anniversary of Sea World and 10th anniversary of Horton Plaza.

Gable has worked on a select number of campaigns where the issues were complex and the need for community outreach and collaboration essential, most notably countywide Proposition M (the land swap that enabled the completion of State Highway 56) and a proposition to transfer land in Balboa Park for the new Naval Hospital.

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