PRCA launches University Partnership with debate at University of Westminster

London 9 November – On Monday evening (7 November 2011) a panel of top PR experts discussed the value and future of PR degrees with around 200 PR students and academics from all over the country at a debate held in the famous Old Cinema, Regent Street.

Introduced by Sally Feldman, Dean of the School of Media Arts and Design (MAD), and held to launch the Public Relations Consultants Association’s (PRCA) ‘Partnership with Universities’ initiative, the debate also covered issues as wide ranging as the attitude of PR employers to PR degrees and the global shift in PR power from the north to the south and from the west to the east.

Professor Trevor Morris from Westminster, co-author of PR Today, who chaired the debate, told the audience that PR will become more and more professional but will never be a closed entry profession as this would be undemocratic, restricting who could speak to the media.

Richard Ellis, PRCA Communications Director, emphasised that the university partnership was important in ensuring that university courses in public relations arm students with the practical knowledge and experience that will enable them to contribute to their employers from day one on the job.

                  

Sally Costerton, PRCA Chairman and CEO of Hill and Knowlton EMEA, discussed how mobile broadband was causing the ‘democratisation of everything’ and reshaping the PR landscape.

Lucy Laville, Senior Lecturer from Leeds Metropolitan University, discussed the importance of established links between the industry and academia highlighting the value of the PRCA university partnership programme and her delight that Leeds were involved.

Cathy Bussey, Deputy Editor of PR Week, told the student audience that research shows that while long hours are the bane of those working in the industry, most people in PR really enjoy their jobs.

In February, the PRCA is hosting its first Careers day with our FrontLine Group. Dedicated to improving standards within the PR industry, the PRCA is providing students and recent graduates with the fantastic opportunity to hear from today’s leading PR experts. The day will see individual speakers and panel discussion from leading agency and in-house teams on the differences between PR sectors, uses of Social Media, the complexities of selling yourself in a highly competitive market, and CV and interview advice.

If you are interested in registering for this event, please email either vicky.king@prca.org.uk or leo.fedorcio@prca.org.uk 

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Notes to Editors

For media enquiries please contact PRCA Events Executive and University Liaison Leo Fedorcio

About the PRCA

Who we are: Founded in 1969, the PRCA is the professional body that represents UK PR consultancies, in-house communications teams, PR freelancers and individuals.  The PRCA promotes all aspects of public relations and internal communications work, helping teams and individuals maximise the value they deliver to clients and organisations.

What we do: The Association exists to raise standards in PR and communications, providing members with industry data, facilitating the sharing of communications best practice and creating networking opportunities.

How we do it and make a difference: All PRCA members are bound by a professional charter and codes of conduct, and benefit from exceptional training. The Association also works for the greater benefit of the industry, sharing best practice and lobbying on the industry's behalf e.g. fighting the NLA's digital licence.

Who we represent: The PRCA represents many of the major consultancies in the UK, and currently has more than 250 agency members from around the world including the majority of the top 100 UK consultancies. We also represent around 70 in-house communications teams from multinationals, UK charities and leading UK public sector organisations.

 

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