I recently returned from Toronto, where I attended back-to-back conferences with some of the smartest PR leaders I know. PRGN (Public Relations Global Network) hosted more than 40 PR firm owners from around the world. That was followed by Counselors Academy, a gathering of 150 PR firm principals (including some of our peer firms here in Philadelphia).
Here are three topics that are on the minds of PR firm leaders everywhere.
Fake News. Both conferences had presentations devoted to the proliferation of fake news and what it means for our industry. I heard two distinct concerns expressed by attendees: [inlinetweet prefix=”” tweeter=”” suffix=””]Fake news is on the rise, and mistrust of traditional media is growing.[/inlinetweet] The result is that PR practitioners have more “clutter” to cut through, and the bar for truthfulness in what we are sharing continues to rise.
One speaker recommended The News Literacy Project, a national education non-profit that teaches students how to separate fact from fiction in the digital age, as a tool that can be helpful in our efforts to be responsible communicators. Another speaker urged us to abandon the term “fake news” (why give more power to that name?) and use “false news” instead.
Talent. [inlinetweet prefix=”” tweeter=”” suffix=””]Recruiting and retaining talent is a challenge facing PR executives around the globe.[/inlinetweet] With domestic employment at an all-time high and a significant portion of older workers poised to exit the job market, the competition for talent is intensifying.
PR principals are also striving to create workplaces that are more representative of our clients’ worlds. Counselors Academy hosted a terrific panel devoted to the issue of increasing diversity and promoting inclusion in our industry. Among the tips to help leaders create a more inclusive workplace:
- Address your unconscious bias
- Get training – even if you think you don’t need it
- Connect with community leaders and influencers to tap into human resources opportunities that might not otherwise surface
Self-Care. A third theme on the minds of PR leaders is how to keep themselves energized and immune from burnout. [inlinetweet prefix=”” tweeter=”” suffix=””]Nearly every PR firm owner I spoke to had experienced periods of hopelessness and depletion. [/inlinetweet]Those feelings get magnified because agency owners tend to keep those emotions to themselves.
I heard some interesting ideas about how PR leaders keep themselves sharp and refreshed:
- One agency owner I spoke with strives to take eight weeks of technology-free vacation a year. He has not yet achieved it but keeps it as a goal.
- Another owner I know immediately begins planning another trip as soon as he returns from one. It keeps him energized and looking forward to something.
As Peter Shankman, the popular speaker and founder of HARO, concluded in his remarks at Counselors Academy, “Entrepreneurship is lonely as hell. Take care of yourself.”
Anne – great post. And I think I know who the guy is who plans his next trip when he gets back from an existing one. 🙂 Cheers, David
Yes, David Landis, you are one of the unnamed PR leaders who gave me a great idea for regenerating myself. Thank you! It’s a little thing, but having something to look forward to can really help you through tough days at work. Thanks, as always, for reading and commenting.
What a great capture of the newest topics of the day, Anne! Thank you for reminding us all to take care of ourselves, similar to putting the oxygen on yourself before dependent loved ones on a plane.