Deirdre Breakenridge

I’m leaving for Washington next week to speak at the Vocus User’s Conference. My topic is “PR Past to Social Media Power.” Looking back, as I traveled down my own PR 2.0 path, I heard many people say that PR was dead. I believe PR is very much alive. We’re changing, growing and experiencing an awakening or a rebirth in our industry. Despite the stereotypes about our work being PR spin and hype, if it wasn’t for a strong PR past, which gives us a solid foundation in strategic communications and relationship building with the public, there would be no opportunity for “social media power” to propel us forward today. From our ability to plan and execute strategic communications to our measurement practices and accountability, PR has a gained big stake in social media. Notice, I didn’t say we own it, because we all know that no one can own social media.