Search Results for: public relations

Posted on Author Heather_Yaxley Current PR Conversations PR Motion

Applying the deep roots of rhizomatic learning to relationship strategies in public relations

The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and systems in recent years has led to consideration of the role of the human in public relations. It is asserted that machine learning will enable more and more routine tasks to be automated, whilst practitioners will concentrate on strategic matters, such as building relationships. Yet, this distinction between tactical and strategic, technician and management reflects a traditional 20th century, mechanistic way of thinking. The organisation is conceptualised...

Posted on Author Editorial Current PR Conversations PR Motion

The art of smart thinking in public relations

This PR Conversations post looks at the challenges in attracting smart people to build sustainable careers in public relations, by sharing a conversation that I’ve had with Ann Pilkington, founder of PR Academy, the largest provider of professional PR qualifications in the UK.  Dr. Heather Yaxley It seems to me that there’s a perennial debate in public relations about the merits of experience versus qualifications. Indeed, research I’ve undertaken looking at the evolution of professional PR qualifications...

Posted on Author Editorial Current PR Conversations PR Motion

Getting serious about the social science of public relations

I often have email conversations with my PR Academy colleague, Kevin Ruck PhD. about public relations and communications. We have a shared interest in psychology (both being qualified at degree level in the discipline) and believe the social sciences have much to offer in our work. The following post sets out our latest debate – please add your thoughts in the comments below or join us in the Facebook group: Public Relations Community of Practice....

Posted on Author Editorial Current PR Conversations PR Axis

Museum of Public Relations – archives and artefacts under the gaze of Bernays (Lee, Page and Byoir…)

Five years ago, Toni Muzi Falconi gave PR Conversations readers a private viewing inside the Museum of Public Relations. From its beginnings in 1996 as an award-winning internet museum (possibly the first in the world), two decades later the Museum of Public Relations resides at Baruch College’s Newman Library Archives and Special Collections, where it is open to the public by appointment for tours, guest lectures and research. As an educational institution chartered by the...

Posted on Author Editorial Current PR Conversations PR Motion

Not sorry to see you go – career churn and public relations

Ever since public relations became a career option around a century ago, people have found themselves working in it by accident. It is still common today for practitioners to reflect vastly different job histories prior to joining the field, and to pursue different career paths over their working lives. Some people move away from the occupation and this churn is not necessarily a bad thing. Perhaps practitioners secure opportunities for promotion taking them away from a...

Posted on Author Editorial Current PR Conversations PR Techster

Paying for the destruction of public relations

In 2001, a British installation artist, Michael Landy, won a commission for his work, Break Down, that involved the destruction of all his possessions as a reaction to the consumerist society. Fifteen years later, as Davis has noted, promotional practice has become ubiquitous. It’s become the default activity of public communications reflecting a consumerist mindset even around serious issues. Consider three examples: The best quotes from Davos 2016  (the 46th meeting of the World Economic Forum)...

Posted on Author Editorial Current PR Conversations PR Axis

How to use opinion surveys in public relations

Research and evaluation are considered by many to be relatively recent concerns of public relations practitioners. Developments include the (recently updated) Barcelona Principles, ‘workflow‘ tools enabling monitoring and analysis of data generated through digital communications, numerous academic research papers and the insight of research firms. Several chapters in the new Future PRoof book, including my own on sustainable professional development, discuss measurement matters such as return on investment. The lack of standardised industry measures is...

Posted on Author Editorial Current PR Conversations PR Axis

Winding down or winding up a career in public relations

Most of the discussion around working in public relations concerns starting out in the occupation. We may sometimes look at mid-career developments and moving into management positions. But very rarely is attention given to decisions made later in a career, and what opportunities and considerations apply to public relations practitioners faced with winding down or winding up their working lives. When Jane Crofts wrote (at BehindtheSpin) about the last few days of her official employment at the University of Lincoln,...

Posted on Author Editorial Current PR Conversations PR Vision

The joy of pain – VW, schadenfreude and public relations

A global crisis situation – such as that experienced by VW currently – brings out an ugly side of public relations. A hubristic sadism, or malignant narcissism. I’m exaggerating but that’s my point. Those who feel compelled to comment and criticise their fellow PR practitioners commonly rely on speculation and extrapolation, quickly escalating a reasonable reflection into a full blown attack, based on their own righteousness. As I commented on a UK blog post titled...

Posted on Author Editorial Classic PR Conversations Current PR Conversations PR Motion

Starting a global conversation on global public relations standards

We have received an invitation from Professor Anne Gregory and Jean Valin for all readers and contributors to PRConversations to get involved in a global project defining the capabilities of proficient public relations practitioners. It’s the Global Body of Knowledge project, or GBOK for short – and your wisdom and knowledge is being sought to get this right. Anne and Jean write: Over the last couple of years a number of professional associations, including the...