founding partner

(as told by ChatGPT ) 

With more than 30 years of experience leading teams and shaping reputations, Will Ludlam is a trusted partner to Chief Communications Officers who want an honest, strategic assessment of their communications function. As founding partner of First Person Public Relations, Will brings a rare combination of creative vision, business acumen, and operational discipline to help organizations unlock the full potential of their communications teams.

Will began his career managing Washington State University’s Centennial celebration, which sparked a lifelong interest in how institutions build and protect their reputations. Over the years, he has held senior roles at global PR networks including Edelman, Omnicom, WPP, and IPG. As President of Weber Shandwick’s West Region (including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle), he led a high-impact turnaround—improving client service, talent retention, and profitability while adding major accounts like Amazon, LinkedIn, and Robinhood.

Helping institutional brands in the Pacific Northwest has been a particular area of focus and passion throughout Will’s career. He has advised some of the most respected institutions in the region, including the University of Washington, UW Medicine, Fred Hutch, Seattle Children’s, Kaiser Permanente, Washington State University's Carson Collage,  The 5th Ave Theatre, and Harborview Medical Center, to name a few. Whether helping regional institutions navigate complex reputational issues, launch major campaigns, or align internal teams around a unified voice, Will is known for bringing calm, clarity, and actionable insights to high-stakes challenges.

At First Person, Will’s work centers on helping CCOs assess what’s working, what’s not, and where to invest to build stronger, more agile communications teams. His services range from team assessments and executive coaching to crisis preparedness, internal communications strategy, and corporate narrative development. He is especially skilled at helping organizations find their authentic voice—and making sure they’re set up to deliver it consistently and credibly.

Outside of work, Will remains active in his community. He currently serves as a Seattle Center Commissioner and is a member of the Community Development Round Table. He’s also held board roles with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound and the Seattle Chamber of Commerce. When he’s not helping clients or volunteering, you’ll find him enjoying local theater, kayaking, spinning vinyl, or cooking for friends and family.