What is the future of PR?
Posted: Friday 10 June, 2011
Erica Whiteman
Since Punch Communications has launched the #futurePR campaign earlier this week, I have found myself thinking about what is the future of PR?
I started out in the media biz as a college marketing representative in the music industry, which was my first foray into PR. I remember timidly phoning college newspapers, pitching the latest band on Sony Music’s roster wondering if they would review the album or if I could arrange an interview with the band when they were passing through town. I remember the excitement when an interview I had arranged was featured in a newspaper.
Social media in the late 1990’s was going to visit editors during their “office hours” or meeting them during soundcheck at the band’s gig to introduce them to the band. It was all done face to face or over the phone. I never would have imagined being able to reach out to journalists or create buzz through Facebook pages or Twitter – it sure would have made my job a lot easier, though!
With the advancement in technology, PR has evolved in the way we communicate with the media, journalists and the public. Emails sometimes replace phone calls when getting in touch or pitching and news is gathered in bites of 140 characters or less on Twitter. How will it continue to change? If you think you know the answer, take part in our #futurePR campaign – the search for our next superstar search, social and PR intern/graduate.
