On November 17th Public Relations students, professionals and educators gathered together on Twitter for the fourth #PRStudChat, exploring questions such as, “What Predictions Do You Have for 2010" This time, Angela Hernandez, President of the PRSSA chapter and PR Student Central Michigan University joined Deirdre Breakenridge, PR 2.O expert and co-author of Putting the Public Back in Public Relations to lead a special “Career Day” edition of the chat. Special guests participated in the chat included Stephanie Smirnov, President, Devries PR; Richard Laermer, CEO of RLM PR and co-author of the Bad Pitch Blog; Heather Huhman, media relations manager at a national health care professional association and entry-level careers columnist for Examiner.com; Alec J Rosen, CEO, AJR Partners, Mike Rupert, Government Communicator DC Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs; Dan Hutson, Director of Communications and Public Relations at Southern California Presbyterian Homes, Nonprofit PR expert ;Amy Patti Public Relations Manager at Hyatt Corp, and David Spinks Community Manager for Scribnia
#PRStudChat again trended on Twitter, providing followers a wealth of information…. so much so, that even if you were following closely you likely missed some valuable insights. Below is the first column in a series that will highlight some of the many great takeaways from each of the topics discussed during the chat. Please note that these tweets have been edited for easy reading. The entire series will be available here. If you would like to see an unedited version of the full chat, please click here. To learn more about #PRStudChat and those who are participating, please visit the #PRStudChat LinkedIn Group; all public relations students and practitioners are welcome to join and participate!
What predictions do you have for 2010?”
Social Media for PR professionals
dbreakenridge: Public relations professionals will have a larger role in social media! We will have to innovate process and invest in technology (although budgets may remain the same)
ssmirnov: I foresee a future where digital expertise is no longer regarded as a "specialty," at least I hope so. The Opportunity in 2010 is for PR people is to establish themselves as masters of *integrated* media - not just traditional, not just social. "Getting" social media not enough, PR people have to know how to frame it strategically and sell it to clients. 2010 might also be the year mobile finally gets its due as a major influence channel, PR must understand how to incorporate
benwhiteSF: Social media will no longer be considered social media. It will be just thrown in with all media relations
mikebilleter: A more integrated approach with social media and less of the "Who owns social media, PR or marketing?" mentality
annebuchanan: People will stop salivating over social media like it's a brand new strategy and view it as a tactic to achieve an overall goal
KellyeCrane: More companies will embrace social media as yet another tool for communications. Good for PR pros!
jbenanto: A PR plan that does not incorporate a social media (and in most cases, and SEO) strategy is doomed to fail.
PR Students in 2010
sallyfalkow: Students should prepare for 2010 with personal brand mgt online, blogging, learn social media strategy
lisaatufunwa: PR college courses will fully incorporate SM into their lesson plans
DavidSpinks: 2010 prediction: The Job market will get better for new grads.
Changes in the Public Relations (Global) Job Market
alecjr: 2010 agencies have learned to do more with less; the challenge is client retention and getting budgets back to 2007 levels. 2010 PR jobs slow to come back, more agency competition from laid off PR peeps going solo and down pressure on fees $ salary
hopwood: Mixed year for PR industry, competition for jobs but things should be better than 2009 for UK
lindamachado: Unemployment is still going to increase in Europe. SM use will consequently increase
Changes in Public Relations Practice
sallyfalkow: Social media 2008 was dipping toes in water. 2009 a check list approach. 2010 will be the year for strategy
sjhalestorm: Expect lines to continue to blur in communications fields - increased value on creativity and wide skillset . Expect personal brand to play a large part in corporate world as co-branding gains momentum (see @ScottMonty)
anneegreen: We'll see increased integration across ALL marketing disciplines next year and beyond, largely driven by digital
theSocialMethod: 2010 will move from building networks and finding customers to building relationships and understanding of customers
Changes in media
dhutson: You as the publisher. As traditional media continue to die, opportunity to be content provider of choice
damonpoh: more people, not just PR pros and students will know what SM stands for and be aware of their role in it.
Changes in the workplace
DavidSpinks: More working from home. Less 9-5. Simply being present online won't differentiate you anymore.
.What do you think 2010 will look like for PR professionals? Leave a comment and share your thoughts beyond 140 characters! Next up, a look at Q6 “If you had a PR wish list for future social media trends, what would be on your list? “Be sure to subscribe so that you don't miss future public relations columns from examiner.com (it's free!) For past #PRStudChat related columns, please click here. And don’t forget to mark your calendars, the next live #PRStudChat discussion will take place December 16th at noon eastern
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