UPDATE: 5/24/10:  Today, the PRSA family mourns the loss of Betsy Plank, APR, Fellow PRSA, who passed away on May 23, following a brief illness. She was 86.

According to her wishes, Betsy will be cremated and the internment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations, University of Alabama, Box 870172, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0172 or on-line (designate Plank Fund).

At its July board meeting, The Plank Center will join with the Chicago public relations community to celebrate Betsy’s contributions to the profession. PRSA also will recognize Betsy at this year’s PRSA International Conference in Washington, D.C., Oct. 17-19.

Continue reading " In Memoriam: Betsy Plank, the “First Lady” of Public Relations "

Monday was my first working day as PRSA’s 2010 Chair and CEO. I was pleased to receive support and congratulations from so many of my friends, former leaders, PRSA members and professional colleagues as I stepped into the job.

There was one person, however, with whom I could not speak — someone who not only was instrumental in shaping my career, but also in encouraging me to aspire to this office: Betsy Plank, APR, Fellow PRSA.

Continue reading " Starting Out by Looking Back "

Last week I had an opportunity to visit the White House  as a representative of PRSA. With the upcoming July 4 holiday, it was a timely and moving reminder of the values that underpin our nation, and that fortify our profession.

The occasion was the presentation of PRSA’s Public Relations Professional of the Year award to White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, one of several national and local government communicators from both sides of the political aisle to be so recognized this decade. Honored for his role as communications director of the Obama for President campaign, Gibbs made groundbreaking use of Web 2.0 technologies, amassed a vast database of e-mail and text addresses to enable direct communications with voters and maintained a disciplined communications approach, all of which  contributed measurably to President Obama’s decisive victory on election night.

Continue reading " Values for a Nation and a Profession "

On June 4, PRSA held its annual Silver Anvil Awards gala. It was a first-class evening featuring live music, lively conversation and generally high spirits all around.

The Silver Anvil is more than another public relations award, and the Silver Anvil evening is more than another awards show. The Silver Anvil is the industry’s original award for public relations excellence. Symbolizing the “forging of public opinion,” the Silver Anvil was created more than 60 years ago to recognize practitioners who successfully address contemporary issues with exemplary professional skill, creativity and resourcefulness. It’s truly the pinnacle of achievement in our industry.

Continue reading " A Reminder of Public Relations’ Good "