The Future of Public Relations As We Know It

Last week, social media was buzzing with the arrival of October 21, 2015, the day Marty McFly travels to in the 1985 film, Back to the Future. While we may not have met every expectation Marty had for us in 2015, PR Week posed a very important question to a few of its “30 under 30” PR professionals regarding our industry 15 years from now. Check out what we gathered from the pros:

The tough question: 

What do you think the PR industry will look like in 2030?

We’ll be the first to tell you that the public relations industry has evolved throughout the years and will continue to shift and change year after year. It’s in our best interest, and that of our clients, to be more than aware of what is ahead, but always staying up-to-date with (and ahead of) trends.

Here are a few of the top predictions:

Press Releases:

Plenty of PR pros are still following the old-school rules of public relations and pushing out press release after press release. But, many are wondering: is the press release still relevant in this day-in-age? While we tend to personally pitch our media contacts, it looks like others are following suit, as PR Week predicted that the press release disappear as a way to engage with media in 2030.

Social Media

We’ve been telling our clients this for years, but companies need to take advantage of social media to make personal connections and to engage with current and potential consumers. In order to survive, businesses are going to need to find their own voice.  Aimlessly posting and tweeting won’t work, and trying to sell consumers on your product won’t work either. A brand’s longevity on social media will depend on how they differentiate themselves from the rest.  Whataburger, Pizza Hut and Jet Blue Airways are examples of businesses that have a distinctive voice on social media and continuously engage with their consumers. These brands are able to stand out because they creatively attach themselves to current events, are able to provide impeccable customer service and have a sense of humor.

Newspapers

It’s pretty evident that newspaper readership is declining. Consumers are able to get their news in real time, on demand thanks to new outlet websites and social media channels. M any industry professionals think that, in 2030, reading newspapers will feel like getting yesterday’s news.

The PR industry is ever changing, and in this field it’s better to stay ahead of the curve than behind it. So, I challenge you to take a minute from your day and think to yourself: What do you think the PR industry will look like in 2030? And what can you do to make sure you and your clients don’t get stuck in yesterday’s news?

-Written by Dawn Chevalier

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