I had the opportunity to judge the national PR Week awards in New York City this past week. Winners will be announced at Tavern on the Green on March 2, 2008. The leading voice in the PR industry, PR Week received more than 800 nominations in a smattering of different categories. Judges were a diverse group of industry professionals. In my group of eight, we had a nationally renowned crisis communicator who did a stint working in Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s administration; the global director of communications for a Fortune 100 company; the same for a Fortune 500 company; a leading Hispanic firm CEO; a couple agency SVP’s and me. It was tall company (literally, one of my fellow judges measured a couple inches shorter than my 6’9 frame). Our table judged three categories in a little under four hours. It was fun.
A few observations I heard among the industry’s pros –
1. The PR industry is growing. Fast.
2. Most agencies had a banner year.
3. Measurement (pre and post campaign) remains a big focus
4. Talent remains a big topic, especially the 5-8 year agency pro
5. People are bullish about the industry’s future
6. Most are not spending time in PRSA due to outdated and bureaucratic operations
The voting was conducted in secrecy. I’m looking forward to March.
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