About Julian Read

Julian Read is a nationally prominent Texan corporate communications and public affairs counselor who has been part of the state’s business and political scene for over 60 years. He founded and operated his own firm, Read-Poland Associates, across Texas for five decades before partnering with New York public relations executive Jeff Hunt to merge it with a global industry leader, Cohn & Wolfe. While still offering senior counsel to C&W clients, he also has re-established his own firm, Julian Read Associates.

Read was a cub reporter for a Fort Worth newspaper at 18, fresh out of high school. A few years later, he had become an experienced radio and television producer. In 1951, at age 24, he founded his own communications consulting firm, which he merged with the global conglomerate in 2001, on Read-Poland’s 50th anniversary.

A few years later, Read, a graduate of Texas Christian University, was recruited by former Secretary of the Navy John B. Connally as he began his quest for elective office. Connally was elected Governor of Texas for three successive terms, and later served as U.S. Secretary of the Treasury. Read was with Governor Connally when he was gravely wounded and President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas on November 22, 1963, and helped orchestrate international media coverage of that historic day. He later was Director of Communications for Connally’s campaign for the Republican nomination for President in 1980, and remained a confidant and counselor until Connally's death. 

Read and his firm have represented an array of blue ribbon clients across Texas and nationally in virtually every industry, providing services ranging from corporate counsel and government relations to crisis management and media relations. He has orchestrated strategic communications and marketing campaigns for major projects including the San Antonio World’s Fair, the launching for Southwest Airlines, the opening of the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, and a national consumer education program in preparation for Y2K. In the entertainment field, Read-Poland was global public relations counsel to legendary Ringing Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus and Las Vegas Superstars Siegfried & Roy for more than a decade.

Last year, Read released his book, “JFK's Final Hours in Texas: An Eyewitness Remembers the Tragedy and Its Aftermath,” detailing his experience as the chief of staff to Governor John B. Connally, who sat alongside President Kennedy in the Dallas motorcade on November 22, 1963. 

Beyond his professional career, Read is active in the historic preservation field. Read has been honored as a “legend” by the Texas Public Relations Association and was presented the Governor’s Award for Historic Preservation by Texas Governor Rick Perry.