New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/04/2010 -- One of Staten Island's most prominent journalists has embarked on a mission to strengthen recession-weary businesses within New York City and beyond. Advance Senior Business Writer and Columnist Barton Horowitz, well-known for penning the newspaper's popular "Island Business Upclose" column, has relinquished his position at the Island publication to launch Relevant Public Relations LLC, a full-service public relations and commercial-writing firm based on Staten Island, N.Y.

"Deciding to leave the Advance was one of the hardest choices I've made in my life," Horowitz said. "Some of my colleagues at the paper are more than coworkers, they're close friends. It was a dream job, and I will miss it." However, the time seemed right for a change, said Horowitz, who, at 60, is eager to benefit a greater number of individuals with his business and public relations expertise.

"At this stage of my career, I know I can do more to help business owners as an independent public-relations representative and commercial copywriter," said Horowitz, who is a 2010 nominee for the U.S. Small Business Administration's Small Business Advocate of the Year Award, New York state.

Relevant Public Relations "can cost-effectively - and creatively - guide businesses through today's often-confusing maze of communications venues," Horowitz said of his new company.

"Right now, as the economy slowly heals, it's particularly important for business owners and executives to position their enterprises for stability and growth. Those who do, will reap the rewards; those who don't, may soon find themselves operating a weakened business and facing much stronger competition." Under Horowitz's leadership, and with the assistance of his hand-picked associates, Relevant provides a myriad of services, from writing press releases, annual reports and Web content to consulting with clients' advertising and marketing people, and much more.

"We will ensure that every public exposure of your business reflects its image in the very best possible way," Horowitz said.

Relevant's commercial-writing division, he added, "is specifically designed to unburden executives and corporate-communications managers from the stress of meeting demanding deadlines. We speedily - and accurately - fulfill a wide range of copy-writing needs, including annual reports, brochures, newsletters, and more."

Having published his first freelance magazine-article in the early 1970s, Horowitz joined the Advance in 1996, establishing himself as a successful journalist, following a rewarding 25-year entrepreneurial career in retailing.

Relevant Public Relations may be reached at 718-682-1509 and visited online at http://www.RelevantPR.com.