Public diplomacy: a higher calling for public relations

Public diplomacy: a higher calling for public relations Guest post by John Paluszek, APR, Fellow PRSA It is not hyperbolic to say it: Public relations professionals now have an epic opportunity to serve the global society and thereby win new appreciation of our profession. In fact, some are already well into that mission. Let’s quickly examine the case for this admittedly bold assertion. The “case” is a continuum, ranging from Harold Burson talking to the...

PRoust Questionnaire: Estelle de Beer

The PRoust Questionnaire provides a quick insight into a public relations practitioner’s interests and point of view, as well as his or her professional beliefs and values. If you are not familiar with the original 19th-century Proust Questionnaire, please see details at the end of this post. PRoust Questionnaire answers from Estelle de Beer: 1. What is your most striking characteristic as a PR practitioner? Being a good listener. It is important for me to...

One world, many voices in PR

Toni Muzi Falconi shares his impressions of the first Global Congress for Muslim PR Practitioners In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from December 5 to 7, 20011, 197 Muslim colleagues from 33 countries, plus two non-Muslim Canadians (Jean Valin and Dan Tisch) and one non-Muslim Italian—the author of this guest post—gathered together for the inaugural Global Congress for Muslim Public Relations Practitioners (GCMPRP). Notably, many of the attendees indicated they were regular readers and ardent fans of...

A journey to Mars: how planet PR used to be

One discussion theme emerging at PR Conversations during 2011 has been the role of women in public relations.  Although PR has become a feminised occupation since the 1990s, many issues remain such as salary differentials, dominance of men in senior positions and 90% female intake on undergraduate degree courses, which we’ve debated in one post or another. As this is the traditional time of year for looking backwards, I’m not talking about these current debates,...

A defining moment for public relations

By Terry Flynn, PhD, APR, FCPRS Setting the stage for a defining moment for public relations Over the past few weeks, hundreds of public relations professionals were engaged in the Public Relations Society of America-led initiative to “redefine” public relations. This program, which includes the support of various public relations organizations—such as the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), the UK’s Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) and the Global Alliance for Public Relations and...

Integrated reporting and strategic public relations

Guest post by Benita Steyn In November 2011, Benita Steyn and Estelle de Beer from South Africa delivered a paper, The Strategic Role of Public Relations in the Process of Integrated Reporting at the Corporate Governance and Strategic Communication Congress in Milan, Italy. We welcome back contributor alumna, Benita Steyn, who kindly agreed to provide an abridged version of this paper for PR Conversations. Backgrounder: Integrated reporting and strategic public relations The collapse of the...

PRoust Questionnaire: Don Radoli

The PRoust Questionnaire provides a quick insight into a public relations practitioner’s interests and point of view, as well as his or her professional beliefs and values. If you are not familiar with the original 19th-century Proust Questionnaire, please see details at the end of this post. PRoust Questionnaire answers from Don Radoli, Senior Communications Adviser at The Norwegian Immigration Appeals Board: 1. What is your most striking characteristic as a PR practitioner? I try...

Who has seen the future of PR? (updated)

Guest post by Jean Valin, APR, FCPRS Who has seen the future of PR? Updated 6/22/2012 For PR Conversations readers, here is an update on this GA project which was generously supported by Enel–the Italian energy company. The study was customized to suit their needs. We conducted in-depth interviews with the heads of communication from Allianz (based in Munich), Philips (based in Amsterdam), Enel (ITaly), Novo Nordisk (Copenhagen and Petrobras (Rio de Janeiro). We also...

Do you know where you’re going to? Public relations career advice

What was your route into public relations?  In 1943, Averill Broughton (a public relations and advertising executive with his own firm) interviewed leading PR executives for his book, Careers in Public Relations: The new profession. He observed that these successful practitioners had: “backed into the field, as it were, by accident, and sat down. Afterwards it seemed natural enough, and their preliminary experience seemed as though it created public relations opportunity later” Has much changed...

PRoust Questionnaire: Toni Muzi Falconi

The PRoust Questionnaire provides a quick insight into a public relations practitioner’s interests and point of view, as well as his or her professional beliefs and values. If you are not familiar with the original 19th-century Proust Questionnaire, please see details at the end of this post. PRoust Questionnaire answers from Toni Muzi Falconi: 1. What is your most striking characteristic as a PR practitioner? Curiosity in exploring why nothing ever happens twice in the...