PR industry takes time to reflect

Public relations practitioners will discuss the contribution PR and communications has made for over half a century to Irish economic, social, cultural and political life at length at its annual conference next week. To mark the 65th anniversary of the founding of the Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII), the debate will explore PR’s history and impact.

The discussions will acknowledge the longevity of the profession, its place as a key management function and its contribution to economic, social and cultural activity in Ireland over the decades. Setting the context for how the profession has grown and developed, the conference will start with a keynote address from IDA chief executive Martin Shanahan.

The morning session will then focus on the future when Paul Conneally of LiveTiles will talk about Spin Bots and how AI will affect the future of communications. The emergence of the chief reputation officer (CRO) will be charted by Ben Burton, Drury|Porter Novelli. A case study on Blockchain will be presented by Wachsman MD Emma Walker.

Maximum Media founder Niall McGarry, will discuss how tech and media consumption has affected the PR environment. A panel comprising the NUJ’s Seamus Dooley, Sunday Independent, business editor, Samantha McCaughren, John Purcell, CEO, KCLR 96FM and Johnny O’Hanlon, Local Ireland, will discuss the changing media landscape.

In the afternoon, the PRII’s history will be explored by the institute’s CEO Martina Byrne (above), ESB chief executive Pat O’Doherty and Valerie Robinson. A panel will reflect on the debate during #PRIIConf18 and discuss PR’s contribution to Irish business and society. The conference is in the Radisson Blu Hotel on Golden Lane on Thursday, November 29th.

Exclusive conference delegate offer for Marketing.ie readers:

Readers of Marketing.ie, who are not members of PRII, can avail of a special reduced ticket (from €395 to €355) when they email info@prii.ie with their contact details and use the code: PRII 65^thanniversary. The PRII will contact them and register them at the reduced price.

Siobhán Molloy, Weber Shandwick and Emma Kelly, Elevate, were recently presented with their fellowship certificates by PRII president Cian Connaughton. There have been 49 fellowships awarded since the PRII was founded in 1953