Action Inspired by Continued Need for Diversification of Thought and Perspective
New York, New York – (October 3, 2018) – The PR Council (PRC) today announced that it will offer one-year complimentary memberships to five small minority-owned PR firms to add new and important voices. This unprecedented opportunity is extended to firms with three or more practitioners that have been in operation for at least one year.
PRC members include the country’s premier global, midsize, regional and specialty agencies. In exchange for access to the organization’s business-building, talent development and networking initiatives, selected firms will be required to sign the PRC’s Code of Ethics and participate in at least one committee or community, which focus on areas such as HR, operations, talent, digital platforms, promoting news literacy and more.
“Over the past decade, PRC has been steadily increasing its focus and commitment on bringing greater diversity to our industry. The Board was inspired to take further action following our Diversity Distinction in PR Awards last Thursday night,” said PRC President Kim Sample. “The organizations and individuals recognized demonstrate the power of taking simple steps to make our industry more diverse and inclusive.”
The PRC’s active members come for over 105 U.S. agencies, representing an estimated 80% of U.S. PR revenues. A key priority for the organization is to attract and retain diverse talent to the industry.
“One of our event honorees, Alex West Steinman, co-founder of The Coven, a community and workspace for women and non-binary folks, talked about giving away one membership for every five sold,” according to Matt Harrington, PRC Board Chair and Chief Operating Officer of Edelman. “The simplicity of the idea catalyzed us to take immediate action.”
Interested agencies are invited to send a letter to the PRC (kim@PRCouncil.net), which confirms minority ownership, years in operation and number of employees. The deadline for submitting a letter of interest is October 31, 2018. Invitations to join, to be determined by a special task force, will be based on the PRC’s commitment to adding geographic, ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic diversity. The five invited firms will be notified by December 1, 2018.
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About the PR Council
Established in 1998, the PR Council (PRC) is composed of America’s premier global, midsize, regional and specialty agencies across every discipline and practice. It is the leading trade association for agencies, designed to empower the present and next generation of communications professionals, industry innovators and business leaders through education, events and industry resources. The PRC’s active members from over 105 leading U.S. agencies represent more than 80% (est.) of all U.S. PR firm revenues and employ over 12,000 professionals.