May Panelist Elaine Ellis: Will PR always miss the boat?

[Deb Robison]

Our panel is about the “new PR,” but the reality is that this panel should have been held years ago. There were those in our industry who got it right away, the Steve Rubels of the world. And then there were those who held onto the traditional way of doing PR, those who refused to adapt. Those who are just now, adapting to the “new PR.”
The laggards are finally starting to use Twitter, making Facebook friends and not referring to blogs as the “Wild West.” But will we stay au courant? Will we understand how influencers are using new tools to communicate? In 10 years, will I be that person holding onto blogs when everyone else has moved on.

As an industry, we can’t be afraid to adapt and to evolve. Web 2.0 won’t last forever, and when whatever comes around next, the public relations industry needs to evolve with the times. We need to have the courage to adopt to new tools that better enable us to have conversations with our constituents.

Working around startups, you frequently hear evolve or die. It’s as applicable to our industry as it is any startup.

-Elaine Ellis, Metzger Associates

See everyone tomorrow night at the Mariott City Center! 5-8 PM!