Deirdre Breakenridge

I recently posted a blog regarding my participation at the New Jersey AdClub’s Career Day at Montclair State University on April 7, 2009. I discussed how overall I thought the day was educational, fun, friendly and provided students with useful information to take with them after college. However, I did notice that many of the questions that they asked as well as some of the questions posed by my fellow panel members were indicative of traditional PR, media relations and publicity.

Last Wednesday, I was the featured guest on Wickedly Chic’s website. I participated in a chat session on PR 2.0 and Social Media communications. Even though the group was small, the conversation was fast and furious with a non-stop, dynamic conversation that took place for an entire hour.

The PR person has a new and important role. At my company, PFS Marketwyse, the PR department is comprised of PR people who take on the role of Research Librarians to aid in monitoring and measurement. Brian and I mention in our book, Putting the Public Back in Public Relations that PR professionals take on many roles in the new social economy. However, one of the most important roles is the Research Librarian, who actively listens, observes and dissects the conversations that take place with customers, media, bloggers, and other stakeholders in web communities.

One of my Facebook friends, who is working on his dissertation, asked me a question: How is social media affecting the relationship between journalism and PR? Ask a PR person/blogger a question about a passionate topic and you may get a long blog response. Here’s how I answered his question about Journalism and PR:

April 15, 2009 was the launch party for the Perspectives Book Series at Barnes & Noble in Clifton, New Jersey. Course Technology PTR, part of Cengage Learning, and series creator and editor, Jason Miletsky, who is my business partner at PFS Marketwyse, published Perspectives, which is an innovative new book series that covers topics such as marketing, branding, managing employees, and increasing sales.

During my MBA program, I remember reading the book, “Leading Change” by John P. Kotter.  Every so often you come across a meaningful book where the philosophies stick with you.  I can honestly say that John Kotter’s thoughts on the approach to change in an organization are still with me today. Although businesses have changed [...]

recently attended the New Jersey AdClub’s Career Day at Montclair State University on April 7, 2009, after being asked to participate on their Public Relations panel. Students of all ages (not just juniors and seniors, but adult students as well) attended the event. The day was divided into breakout sessions where PR, marketing and business students were able to select the sessions of their choice.

wanted to share my recent interview that appeared in a new book, Perspectives on Branding, part of Cengage/Thompson Learning’s, Perspectives Series.” I participated in this interview for a few reasons. First, if you know me, I can’t say no to the opportunity to educate professionals and to discuss PR 2.0. I was also happy to participate in this interview because my business partner at PFS Marketwyse, Jason Miletsky, is the series editor.