World Public Relations Day, the globally recognised celebration inspired by a need to present a global agenda to make the world understand and utilise public relations better, defines one of its missions as setting aside a day to appreciate and celebrate the public relations profession and its impact on the world.
When the initiative gathered over 3500 industry professionals from different parts of the world for the first-ever global celebration on July 16, 2021, it initiated a slew of activities such as specially-curated addresses by bodies of public relations professionals, events, and workshops, including job opportunities provided by a host of agencies.
Building on the success of last year’s edition, Ayeni Adekunle, the CEO and founder, BHM and Convener, World PR Day, believes the 2022 edition poses numerous opportunities to engage practitioners and stakeholders across the globe as PR professionals across the world prepare for the second edition of WPRD.
So what did we learn from the WPRD 2021? Here are some of the major highlights from the 2021 edition.
Over 3,500 Consultants from 25 cities Across 15 countries
In its first year, WPRD recorded a remarkable feat as over 3,500 consultants from 25 cities across 15 countries like India, Ukraine, Romania, Nigeria, United Kingdom, United States of America, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, engaged in different activities on the day.
PR Internship Hotspot
To help groom individuals interested in pursuing a career in Public Relations, Media Panache, one of Nigeria’s foremost communication companies, provided three months of internship contracts to interested candidates.
One of the key ways to help curtail the misconception of the PR industry is to train individuals seeking a career in the sector on the core values of Public Relations and what the industry aims at accomplishing.
Support From PRCA and CIPR
Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA), the world’s largest professional PR body, and the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), the world’s only Royal Chartered body for public relations professionals, showed their support for the celebration.
CIPR initiated a line of activities such as specially-curated addresses by its members. At the same time, the PRCA presented its Ethics Council’s Annual Perspective, co-authored by professionals and members Gustavo Averbuj MSMPRCA and Mary Beth West MPRCA.
Africa caught the WPRD bug
From Nigeria to Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Mauritius, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, among others, the WPRD 2021 conversation was widely received by PR professionals across Africa.
Ghana’s leading Integrated Marketing Communications agency, the Global Media Alliance (GMA), the Public Relations Society of Kenya, Kausel Impact PR, Hans. J. PR and Communication, BSD Group, were some of the prominent PR agencies and bodies at the heart of the 2021 World PR Day conversations, raising awareness about the impact and relevance of public relations.
Emma Wenani, GMA’s Chief Director said: “The celebration of PR with a dedicated day has been a long time coming. We have seen the role that PR has played in establishing brands and impacting society and we want to use this day to amplify that.”
WPRD was a top trending topic on Twitter for over 5 hours
While the celebration witnessed both physical and virtual participation, the conversation on WPRD trended on Twitter for over five hours.
Young professionals eager to learn more about their chosen field, industry leaders, as well as the general public joined the discussion as PR seeks to correct some misconception that surrounds the industry.
“With the buy-in and support recorded across thousands of agencies and practitioners worldwide, we believe the celebration was very successful in correcting misconceptions, giving the profession the prestige and consideration it deserves, and advancing its development,” Ayeni Adekunle said.
On July 16, 2022, Public Relations professionals, experts, enthusiasts, and practitioners will converge for the second edition of World PR Day in celebration of the profession.
To participate in celebrating the global impact of public relations and communications on July 16, 2022, visit www.wprd.app.