While just 13% of PRSA members have “PR” in their job titles, the name PRSA lives on, officials confirmed for us Sunday.
Director, Communications Management Program and Professor of Practice, PR, S.I. Newhouse School, 2018 PRSA Chairman
As is known, PR pros more often than not have “communications,” “public affairs,” “external relations” or some other words in their title. That prompted PRSA to consider amending the wording in its bylaws to include the phrase “people who practice PR or communications.”
A recent media report had the organization debating changing its name, dropping the PR from PRSA. In interviews Sunday, PRSA’s chief communicator Laura Kane and its incoming chairman Anthony D’Angelo scotched that version of the story.
“The intention behind the amendment was to be inclusive…we don’t want to disqualify anybody,” D’Angelo told us. The trend away from the use of “PR” is apparent. “The last time I had ‘PR’ in my corporate job title was in 1993,” he says. His academic title at the S.I. Newhouse School includes the words “PR” as well as “communications.”
“This is a personal opinion,” D’Angelo says, “But I can’t think of a CEO who gives a wit about this discussion…[so] this is the wrong discussion” to be having.
“I want to apply the body of [PR] knowledge, these skills and media to effect strategic outcomes…. I almost don’t care what you call it.”