It seems, to me at least, that the public relations profession is on the up. Would I be correct in thinking this? Or is it the way it’s always been? Now, I’m not just talking about the large global agencies here but in every aspect of the profession including education – it is said that PR is one of the most sought after professions among students and there are now more universities offering courses than ever before.
Regional PR also seems to be going through a large growth period. It seems like everyone is hiring and everyone has “got lots on”. Just Saturday I was talking to my old boss who has taken the plunge and bought the small agency he was director of and he told me that the work they’ve won has surpassed way past his expectations. In fact, he was a little irate that he hadn’t had a break for so long.
And, for a profession that until recently only had one trade title to one that now has three must be adding to my notion. Right? Which reminds me; the latest issue of PR Week has a feature on the large agencies that are breaking into the Chinese market which, again, only backs up my argument of tremendous growth. Disclaimer: Edelman was one of those agencies. Did I really need to disclaim that?
I’ve heard tales about the early 90s and the ‘ab fab era’ when client spend was high and the profession was awash with parties, champagne and ‘dahlings’. But now organisations are realising that **real** PR plays a pivotal role in strategic management and good communication is fundamental to enhancing and protecting reputation. Be it in full PR campaigns, crisis management and now blog crisis communications.
Remember around eight months ago when the “PR is dead” meme was the topic of conversation among bloggers? It was laughable at the time just as it is now and it seems to me that there’s never been a greater need for PR and communication.
Take a look at the PR blogosphere; there’s a whole load of hiring going on humbly including myself. Now, I doubt if these bloggers got hired solely because they had a blog but, as of yet, I’ve never heard of no PR blogger being laid off (touch wood).
So my question is this: Are we going through a PR fest of roses or are we seeing a PR bubble forming? Or, quite simply, has there ever been a better time to work in PR?
Stephen is a communications consultant based out of the UK. You can connect with him on Twitter or check out his LinkedIn profile. | Email Stephen
Stumble it
Digg it
Deli.icio.us
Tweet this
Gemsky
Hey you boyo! I thought there would have been a drinky nite to say tara to you! v bad form that we havn’t got one! Hope London is all you want it to be an more and you dont get too rich and forget us, (Sod it, get as rich as you want but if you do then defo dont forget us!) stay in touch, ciao x
Stephen
Cheers Gemma. Well, we did try and get something sorted but it never got off the ground unfortunately. Don’t worry, when I’m a multi-millionaire I’ll still remember you.
Heh!
Keep in touch.
Owen Lystrup
Good post, Stephen. And a well-posed question.
I think PR is on the rise now more than ever because many many companies are moving past traditional marketing. This being so, they are realizing that PR goes right in line with doing so. They are also realizing the benefits of integrating PR into their marketing program and having them work in tandem.
And, like you said, many companies are seeing the benefits (from what I’ve read) of including PR in the executive-level meetings and planning.
That being said, I do think every career has it’s ebb and flow. I think it is a perfect time for PR work. I think the rise will continue for some time, but I also think it will drop drastically within a few decades.
I don’t know if I would call it a bubble. I don’t think there will be any sort of crash, but I think the amount of growth will definitely level off and perhaps drop.
Alex Pullin
I think that the future of the industry depends on how we as new PRs conduct our business. If we promote ethical and transparent public relations then the future of our industry will certainly be more assured than if the common perception continues to be that of propaganda and subversion.
We have to improve our reputation (something which we should be better at!) if we want to reap the benefits and add longevity to the PR industry. The uncertainty that Owen speaks of adds to the exctement of being involved at this time, the things that this generation do will affect the future.
Owen Lystrup
A very good point, Alex.
It’s important that we young PR graduates and new hires do what we can to improve the industry and its reputation. Reputation is important, of course, but it’s also important that we actually CHANGE the industry and how we practice. No more bad releases. No more horrendous blanket pitching to unknown bloggers and journalists.
I think this is a very exciting time for PR, indeed. Social media is bringing a great number of changes, improvements, challenges and possibilities for the future of our career.
James Midkiff
Need ad agency help with my site which is highest profile on tthe Internet, the OpeningPage.com
Call me 13-504-1760
Sam Oakley
Interesting post stephen.
Especially so for me as I have just accepted a new job which will depend entirely on the winning of new regional and local PR clients.
I think that regional PR is definatively on the rise. Localism is forcing its way onto the agenda accross the board and people are realising that A: there are significant audiences outside of london, and B: that the best way to access these is audiences is by using PR consultancies who understand them.
Sam