It’s PR, Not the ER: PR Advice from the Pros

By Lily Lowndes Public relations can be a hectic industry. PR professionals know how to work hard, move fast and pivot at a moment’s notice. Especially when in crisis mode, an average day in public relations can turn into what feels like an emergency room situation. Nothing at work should be as stressful as life-and-death.…… Continue reading It’s PR, Not the ER: PR Advice from the Pros

Act Like a Leader: Growing Your Value as a PR Pro

  By Katie Brenneman Whether you’re still a student, you’re just starting your PR career, or you’ve been working in the field for a while, demonstrating strong leadership skills is instrumental to your success. Acting like a leader isn’t always easy, though, especially when you’re just starting out. The good news, however, is that leadership…… Continue reading Act Like a Leader: Growing Your Value as a PR Pro

How This 30-Year Communications Executive Became a Champion for Diversity

By Kamryn Perez and Rashaud Foster When it comes to maintaining a successful and prominent corporation, leaders who take the initiative to become champions of diversity, equity, and inclusion always have the center focus. Bob Jimenez makes it no debate why he was named one of the most influential Latino people in America. Voted by…… Continue reading How This 30-Year Communications Executive Became a Champion for Diversity

Ketchum CEO Discusses Serving Employees and Communities Through DE&I

  By Samia El-Harake and Brian Wright It was at least five years ago. Mike Doyle, President and CEO of Ketchum, was running the New York office and a woman who ran facilities reported a series of racial and homophobic slurs found in the men’s bathroom. By the time the news reached his office, they…… Continue reading Ketchum CEO Discusses Serving Employees and Communities Through DE&I

PR Students: Scholarship Season is Here. Apply Now.

When I desperately needed money to complete my senior year in college, a professor recommended that I apply for the Eugene C. Pulliam Journalism Scholarship. Until then, I thought scholarships were awarded only to A students. Except for my journalism and political science courses, I was anything but an A student. That scholarship, plus serving…… Continue reading PR Students: Scholarship Season is Here. Apply Now.

Premier Mentorship Event Salutes 5 PR Leaders

  After a pandemic-required hiatus last year, the Plank Center’s “Milestones in Mentoring Gala” returns this November as both an in-person and virtual event you’ll not want to miss. Dubbed by many past attendees as the “PR party of the year,” the Milestones gala will honor five influential leaders who are known for their commitment…… Continue reading Premier Mentorship Event Salutes 5 PR Leaders

Heart First: How Self-Care Enables Effective Leadership

By David Grossman At the start of 2020, my “to do” list included further exploration of the concept of leading through change with a goal of creating a new book. I wanted to share what I’ve learned in more than three decades working with leaders across industries.  I thought my experiences would provide good examples…… Continue reading Heart First: How Self-Care Enables Effective Leadership

Plank Center: Shaping Next Generation of Leaders

By Christine Albrecht There’s a fair amount of pressure that comes along with serving as leaders for a center devoted to leadership! Luckily, the Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations is led by a dedicated board, volunteers and small staff of dedicated professionals and academics. Karla Gower, Joanne Bischmann and Colleen Dolan sit at…… Continue reading Plank Center: Shaping Next Generation of Leaders

Business Acumen Is Imperative for Our Profession

By Ron Culp During a recent Economic Club of Chicago member group discussion that I led, civic leaders vividly described the dire need to improve business literacy among high school students. Despite their personal business accomplishments, more than a couple of the leaders mentioned how they wished their own children better understood business basics. I…… Continue reading Business Acumen Is Imperative for Our Profession

Paying it Forward With Tomorrow’s Students of Color

By Remberto Del Real When I was a kid, I would spend many weekends tagging along as my father visited the clients of his HVAC business, providing heating, ventilation and air conditioning services throughout Chicago. That meant working in freezing conditions (if the heat was out) or alternatively boiling conditions (if the AC was out)…… Continue reading Paying it Forward With Tomorrow’s Students of Color