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Freedom can mean many things. And with July 4 approaching, after a year of societal turmoil, many Americans may find their views on patriotism shifting.

As the world changed in March 2020, so too did the future for many college seniors who graduated months later. With Gen Z entering the workforce, millennials taking more leadership positions, and technology platforms proving to be important tools for communication, some firms are changing the way they recruit for PR jobs. 

In interviews, we found pro bono has several meanings. Strictly, it’s free work. In PR, it also encompasses volunteering at nonprofits. At some shops it includes at-cost or highly discounted work. Some brands consider pro bono tantamount to what many call corporate social responsibility.

PR data, research and evaluation continue to flourish in agencies, non-profits and corporations large and small. To encourage those considering the field and inform hiring decisions, we spoke with seven corporate members of the Institute for Public Relations Measurement Commission.Each delivers research-based insight and guidance to communication colleagues.

With the Tokyo Olympics scheduled for July 23, but not a sure thing, we asked data partner Shareablee to measure the games’ social engagement.

Whether it’s tennis associations pitted against athletes, NHL hockey teams covering up sexual abuse, the NCAA battling its member universities and athletes, European soccer bosses jousting with fans or organizers of the Tokyo Olympics seemingly ignoring athletes, doctors and the majority of Japanese citizens–the antediluvian approach of these sporting entities to stakeholder communication is inescapable.

It starts with a few questions: What are we trying to say? And how are we going to say it? There was a nugget of an idea and then you go.

The useful PR book includes a lively presentation and imbues traditional themes with interesting insights or unique interpretations. We provide reviews of some books for summer reading.

Several brands are looking to short films as a tactic for connecting with customers. Infiniti has tapped Kate Hudson to star in its short film introducing the QX60 SUV. Its target customer is busy dealing with myriad issues, Infiniti says. That customer will relate to the multi-talented Hudson and the film reveal, Infiniti’s GM for global marketing Phil York says in an interview with PRNEWS.

What is the significance of the APR, those letters you see behind the name of some PR pros? Is the time and energy needed to attain the APR accreditation worth it in terms of better jobs and salary? Does it attract business? Do seasoned communicators need it? We asked PR pros with the APR and those without it for their views.