Our Story
Helping Clients Navigate Change
The strategies and tools communicators need to gain awareness, support, and brand affinity, have radically changed. Sadly, the traditional PR agency model hasn't been able to keep up. Weighted down by overhead and investment clients don't want or need, agencies continue to frustrate client partners.
Purpose built and carrying minimal overhead, First Person was launched by industry veteran Will Ludlam in late 2023 with the sole purpose of helping clients navigate these changes with a streamlined partner — focused on helping organizations evolve communications so they can better connect with important constituents.
Designed To Scale
Most organizations have the core team to operate day-to-day. However, the reality of what needs to be done immediately, too often clouds the big picture. First Person helps executive teams address the important communications elements that will impact business beyond the immediate — focusing on the long-term vision that needs to be delivered by leaders and then developing the message platform and strategic framework to articulate that vision.
Strategic Partnerships
For the busy comms exec, First Person is the partner that makes sure the right objectives and expectations are fully understood and that there's a clear plan — helping to get internal comms running smoothly; media training the executive team; and if there's an open position holding up immediate needs, First Person can also step in and help fill the void.
Big Impact — Surgically Delivered
First Person has the experience and discipline of a big agency, without the massive overhead — partnering and engaging with subject matter experts as needed to provide big value at a fraction of the investment.
Talent — At The Ready
First Person has fostered an active community of subject matter experts, thinkers and doers who operate independently, but are committed to solving something collectively. A group of skilled practitioners who love the craft but were equally frustrated by an antiquated model that restricted their ability to do great work.
Leadership
Will Ludlam
Founding Partner
With more than 30 years of experience leading teams and shaping reputations, Will Ludlam is a trusted advisor to Chief Communications Officers seeking counsel and strategic assessment of the communications function. He began his career working on Washington State University's Centennial celebration, which sparked a lasting focus on how institutions build, protect, and sustain trust.
Will has held senior leadership roles at global PR networks including Edelman, where he served as General Manager of the Pacific Northwest, as well as Omnicom and WPP. As President of Weber Shandwick West, he led a successful turnaround, strengthening client service, improving talent retention, and increasing profitability.
The Northwest has been a consistent focus throughout Will's career. He has advised many of the region's most respected organizations, including Starbucks, Microsoft, Amazon, Washington State University, UW Medicine, Fred Hutch, Seattle Children's, the City of Seattle, Kaiser Permanente, and Harborview Medical Center.
Will serves as vice chair of the Seattle Center Commission, sits on the board of The 5th Avenue Theatre, and participates in the Community Development Roundtable. Outside work, he enjoys theater, kayaking, vinyl, and cooking for friends and family.
Meet the collective behind the work.
In a world of noise and distraction, the most powerful stories are the ones told in first person.