Archiving the future of public relations
The International History of Public Relations Conference (IHPRC) at Bournemouth University again delivered much fascinating and thought-provoking insight into our past, present and future. None of the papers could be presented without extensive research – whether that involved interviews with those whose experiences are now valuable archive material, or investigating existing resources.
It is also [...]
Making public relations history
“Any fool can make history, but it takes a genius to write it”, according to Oscar Wilde. Those of us assembling in Bournemouth for the third International History of Public Relations Conference can debate this view after two days of illuminating presentations on the history of our field. We should also remember another Wilde quote: [...]
Grunig PR Masterclass: Insight into diversity and excellence
This post offers a video recording of a recent lecture given by Larissa and James Grunig at New York University – courtesy of Toni Muzi Falconi, who kindly introduces the video below. In addition, Heather Yaxley provides a brief overview of the highlights of the lecture.
We extend our thanks to James, Larissa and Toni [...]
PR use of statistics on trial – where’s your evidence?
Guest post by Nigel Hawkes.
Healthcare reform is controversial, as both the US and the UK have found. In Britain, a chorus of protest has been generated by a Bill to reform the National Health Service. Some of the most powerful interventions have come from the Royal Colleges – highly-esteemed bodies that exist to promote and [...]
Nurturing Knowledge – a job for PR
‘Imagine a World Without Free Knowledge’ – Wikipedia’s blackout protest statement is a reminder of the value and reliance placed on repositories of online information. How many of us turn to Google, Wikipedia, digital dictionaries, social media or online news sources routinely when we want to know something?
The English-speaking student population is apparently distraught that [...]
Never kiss an alligator and other lessons from PR History
The history of public relations began with PT Barnum parading elephants through small town America in the 1800s – with the famed huckster the cause of the ongoing misunderstanding of the profession. That’s the simplistic narrative found in the majority of PR text-book
Triple-associate Sean Williams asks, “Why join?”
It used to be that the only way to access research, best practices, talent and senior-level guidance in the communication profession was to be a part of an industry organization.
Barcelona 1 – Evaluation 0?
This month saw another cross-border event, with the agreement and publication of the “Barcelona Declaration of Research Principles” at the 2nd European Summit on Measurement. Five global bodies and 200 delegates from 33 countries all voted overwhelmingly to adopt a set of basic principles.
International research team asks CCO’s to Be Heard™ (and contribute)
While there is some anecdotal evidence, little formal research has been published on public relations/communication department organizational structure–particularly on: the models in use; the strengths and weaknesses of each of those models; the factors that drive the chief communication officer (CCO) to choose a specific organizational design. These questions will be addressed by this research: Global Study on Communication Department Structure.
Public Relations before, during, after acquisitions and mergers. Fascinating lessons from Poznan, Poland!
Ok… it took me more than 20 hours by van to return to Italy, while an Icelandic dust closed all of Europe’s airports… courtesy of two young polish drivers (found via the Internet the evening before by one of my benefactors Monika Bogdal from Poznan’s University of Economics… the power of social media…)… yet I [...]