PRSA Media Room

The Public Relations Society of America today released the following statement regarding its position on the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect IP Act (PIPA):



“We respect the protection of a company’s or individual’s intellectual property rights, while also firmly believing in the freedom of expression and the continuation of an open and unrestricted Internet. As such, we oppose the   Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect IP Act (PIPA). It is the opinion of PRSA that SOPA and PIPA, as currently written, overreach, threatening the innovation and development of the Internet."

The former journalist who brought the World Economic Forum (WEF) to the social Web, and the co-founder of one of Silicon Valley’s premier technology communications firms, OutCast Agency, will lend their expertise to The Public Relations Society of America’s (PRSA) 2012 Digital Impact Conference. Matthias Lüfkens, Burson-Marsteller’s EMEA managing director of digital, and Caryn Marooney, Facebook’s director of technology communications, will deliver keynote addresses at one of the public relations industry’s leading digital conferences. The Digital Impact Conference will be held in New York City April 2–3, and will focus on the interplay of influence and persuasion in the digital world.

The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is seeking industry leaders to showcase compelling, resourceful and insightful presentations at the 2012 International Conference. Thought leaders are invited to share their theories, ideas, research and results with thousands of mid- and senior-level public relations professionals by submitting presentation proposals to PRSA by Feb. 17, 2012.

The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is accepting entries for the public relations profession’s most distinguished honor, the Silver Anvil Award. Following in the footsteps of Text4Baby, U.S. Air Force, Northern Illinois University and Little Caesar Enterprises, businesses and organizations have an opportunity to compete against the best by showcasing campaigns that have successfully addressed contemporary issues with exemplary professional skill, imagination and resourcefulness. 

The PRSA Foundation today announced the creation of the Ofield Dukes Scholarship for Excellence in Public Relations. The 79-year-old Dukes, who died Dec. 7, was an honorary trustee of the Foundation and a widely recognized leader in the public relations profession.

The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is leading an industry-wide charge on creating an MBA-level public relations course that will give future business leaders the strategic com-munication and reputation management skills they need to manage modern-day corporate challenges and crises.

The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) today announced that the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), the professional body for public relations practitioners in the United Kingdom, has officially joined the “Public Relations Defined” initiative. The CIPR’s inclusion in the initiative makes it one of 11 global partners in the PRSA-facilitated international advocacy effort.

The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) today launched a collaborative, industry-wide initiative to modernize the definition of public relations.

The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is seeking digital influencers who can demonstrate the latest trends and innovative practices, strategic thinking and research from the world of digital communication at The Digital Impact Conference in New York City. With the theme “Influence and Persuasion,” the conference will expand to offer a wider selection of programs by combining resources, networks and digital communities. Co-presenters include the PRSA Technology Professional Interest Section and The Society for New Communications Research.

The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) today issued a statement condemning the unethical communications practices of Mike Winder, mayor of West Valley City, Utah. The Deseret News (Salt Lake City) reported that Winder had been engaging in deceptive communications practices on behalf of West Valley City by creating a false identity to write news stories for Utah media outlets about the city he represents. According to published reports, Winder used the pseudonym of “Richard Burwash” to submit 13 articles published in th

Michael V. Copeland, senior writer at Fortune, and Robert K. Ackerman, editor-in-chief of Signal, have won this year’s Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) 2011 Awards for Excellence in Technology Journalism. These annual awards recognize articles that are significant in disclosing, interpreting and reporting technological innovation. This year’s competition was sponsored by Microsoft Corporation, Airfoil PR and Padilla Speer Beardsley.

Rosanna M. Fiske, APR, chair and CEO of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), has been named by Hispanic Business magazine as one of the 100 most influential Hispanic business executives. The list is published in the magazine’s October 2011 issue.

While the number of public relations graduate programs in the United States nearly tripled since 2000, inconsistent curricula and degree requirements may be lowering the perception of the value of this education and is creating confusion for students, educators and employers. This was the message delivered at the annual meeting of the PRSA Foundation during the Public Relations Society of America’s (PRSA) International Conference in Orlando, Fla., Sunday. The Foundation supported the study as part of its mission to fund research that influences the public relations profession and its ability to serve the public good.

Cheryl Procter-Rogers, APR, Fellow PRSA, was awarded the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) 2011 Gold Anvil Award, the Society’s highest individual award. First awarded in 1948, the Gold Anvil is considered PRSA's lifetime achievement award and is presented to an individual whose work significantly advanced the profession and set high standards for those engaged in the practice of public relations. The award was presented to Procter-Rogers during the Monday General Session at the PRSA 2011 International Conference.

Frank Ovaitt, APR, president and CEO, Institute for Public Relations, was selected as the recipient of the Public Relations Society of America’s (PRSA) 2011 David Ferguson Award, presented at the PRSA Educators Academy reception held during the PRSA 2011 International Conference. The David Ferguson Award recognizes outstanding contributions to public relations education by a practitioner.

Dr. Shannon A. Bowen was awarded the Jackson Jackson & Wagner Behavioral Science Prize by the PRSA Foundation during the Monday general session on Oct. 17 at the PRSA 2011 International Conference. This award recognizes individual behavioral science researchers whose scholarly work enhances the understanding of the concepts and theories that contribute to the effectiveness of public relations practice.

Steve Quigley, APR, was awarded the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) 2011 Outstanding Educator of the Year Award during the Monday luncheon at the PRSA 2011 International Conference. This award honors a PRSA member who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of public relations education through college or university teaching.