Jim Darling

  • Jim Darling

    PR Specialist
Jim Darling

JIM DARLING

PR Specialist

Jim Darling has spent his career helping organizations communicate with clarity, authenticity and purpose. Since May 2025, he has worked with Fitzgerald Petersen, supporting public relations for McDonald’s across California’s southern Central Valley. He has devoted significant time and care to strengthening the connection between local McDonald’s operators and the communities they serve, including helping lead their engagement with the Bakersfield Ronald McDonald House.

Among his achievements over the past 16 months, one of Darling’s McDonald’s story concepts generated media coverage that was nominated for a regional Emmy Award—an acknowledgment of the story’s resonance and the collaborative work that brought it to the public. The recognition reflects his understated approach: find the human story, build strong relationships and let meaningful work speak for itself.

His earlier career included advising retail and business clients through Jim Darling Public Relations, managing communications for the Bakersfield McDonald’s Operators Co-op, and serving in leadership roles with Mercedes-Benz of Bakersfield, KGET-TV and South Paw Communications. A Sonoma State University graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies, Darling has also given generously of his time to community organizations. As founding chairman of the Bakersfield Ronald McDonald House, he led the fundraising that made its 2006 inception possible and again spearheaded fundraising for its 2010 expansion— helping build an enduring source of support for families with hospitalized children.

Jim currently serves as membership chair for Bakersfield West Rotary, where he is a past president, and previously served as an assistant district governor for Rotary District 5240. His community leadership has also included the CSUB Scholarship Board, the American Heart Association and the Fox Theater Foundation. In 2014, he and his wife, Nona, established the Jim and Nona Darling CSU Bakersfield Athletic Endowment, providing lasting annual support for student-athletes.

Testimonials

Buzz About FPC

  • “These guys are pros. They get it. They understand our crazy 21st century workflow and they don’t flood us with endless questions about content and logistics. What’s more, they have a good feel for what makes for fun, interactive, live TV.”

    Jack Maher, Former 9News/KUSA/NBC Executive Producer

  • “You very rarely find a firm as talented as Fitzgerald Petersen. I have worked with them for several years on special projects and day to day handling of our business. They are not only great strategic thinkers, very hard workers, and exceptionally efficient, but, perhaps most refreshingly, they are also the kind of people that you enjoy working with. They are, in a word, outstanding.”

    Brandon O'Rourke, Former McDonald's Owner/Operator

  • “CBS4 News has worked closely with Fitzgerald Petersen … The team at Fitzgerald Petersen has an outstanding grasp of how to work with a newsroom to develop compelling stories for television and in turn, drive promotion for an event.”

    Tim Wieland, General Manager, CBS Colorado & CBS Los Angeles