Changing Signals: Technology's Impact on PR

Join the Museum of Public Relations as we explore implications of the latest developments in artificial intelligence and related technologies for public relations processes and the broader society.

A live, hybrid program and networking event
Thursday, March 20, 6pm ET

REGISTER to via ZOOM — Attendance is FREE
REGISTER to attend live, general $25
REGISTER to attend live, student $10
Event location will be emailed to in-person attendees prior to the program date.

Premise

There is a reciprocal relationship between technology and society. Social needs and wants drive technological change and changing technologies change society.

Public relations has dealt with technological changes in the past, both in applying new technologies to its internal processes and in advising clients on the implications of the resulting societal changes. PR has historically played a major role in bringing new technologies to market.

Satellite communications, cable television, the Internet, and social media led to new communications channels. They also led to audience fragmentation, the creation of echo chambers, and a plague of disinformation. Now an even more transformative change is upon us. Big data and artificial intelligence will automate many tasks and make real-time, personalized interaction possible without human mediation, possibly reinforcing bias, and resulting in distorted discourse, and more division.

Four of today's leaders in communication and technology will explore what the history of tech communication means for you in the future.

Portrait Kim Sample — Kim’s role is to help the PR Council’s 140 member agencies grow talent, revenue and profits and elevate the PR profession overall. Prior to joining the PRC in August 2018, Kim was the founder/CEO of Emanate, a $35 million, 100+ person international marketing communications agency. During her tenure Emanate was named PR WEEK Agency of the Year and CRAIN’S Best Places to Work in NYC, and the team’s work for clients was recognized with numerous industry awards. Kim also worked at Ketchum, Marina Maher Communications and Golin earlier in her career, and has served Fortune 500 clients across a range of industries, including financial services, travel and hospitality, CPG and consumer electronics.

MODERATOR / KIM SAMPLE, President, PR Council

Portrait Larry Weber — Larry Weber is the chairman and CEO of Racepoint Global, an advanced marketing services agency that he founded in 2002. An American entrepreneur and globally known expert in public relations and marketing services, Weber has successfully led a number of companies and authored five business and marketing books during his career. Weber founded Thunderhouse, one of the industry’s first interactive marketing agencies, and has worked with several world-class clients. He also started his own public relations company, The Weber Group, in 1987, which became the world’s largest public relations firm within a decade. After selling the company to the Interpublic Group of Companies, Weber was named chairman and CEO of Interpublic’s Advanced Marketing Services. He also co-founded the Massachusetts Innovation u0026amp; Technology Exchange, the world’s largest Internet marketing association. Weber has a bachelor’s degree from Denison University, as well as a master’s degree from Antioch College in Oxford, England.

LARRY WEBER, Founder and Chairman, Racepoint Global

Portrait Anne Green — Anne Green is a principal and managing director of G&S Business Communications, an integrated communications agency. She previously served as president and chief executive officer of CooperKatz & Company Inc. and spent 22 years building the agency prior to its 2018 acquisition by G&S. She is responsible for the strategic growth, operations and culture of the G&S New York office, as well as providing senior communications counsel for key clients. Anne holds a B.A. in English literature with a concentration in women’s studies from Vassar College and an M.A. in American literature from New York University. Her passion for women’s issues and rights drew her to the mission of LifeWay Network, and she is proud to support the organization in its dual focus on education and safe housing in the fight against human trafficking.

ANNE GREEN, Chief Executive Officer, G&S Business Communications

Portrait Mark McClennan — Mark McClennan is the general manager of C+C’s Boston office. C+C is a communications agency all about the good. It helps good causes and purpose-driven brands. Prior to that, for 20+ years, McClennan led the financial technology group for MSL and Schwartz Communications. He has worked with companies ranging from venture-funded start-ups to large public companies, He has guided companies through IPOs and acquisitions. He has coordinated successful public relations campaigns for companies in Europe and Asia. McClennan served as the 2016 National Chair of PRSA and was the liaison to its Board of Ethics and Professional Standards. He is passionate about ethics and created the Ethical Voices blog and podcast in 2018. He teaches PR ethics at Boston University, is the host of the popular EthicalVoices blog and podcast. His book, “Ethical Voices—Practicing Public Relations with Integrity” became the #1 PR book on Amazon. In 2023, he co-chaired the development of AI Ethics guidelines for public relations agencies for the PR Council.

MARK McCLENNAN, APR, General Manager, C+C—Boston office

Thanks to our Sponsors

The PR Museum wishes to recognize program sponsor, the PR Council; the ongoing support of our Founding Partners Edelman and PRSA; our Program Underwriters Burson and APCO Worldwide; and our Sustaining Sponsors, Amazon, Google, Honeywell, Muck Rack, Enbridge, Zeno, Hunter:, The Wallace Foundation, The Grossman Group, the University of Georgia Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, and The University of Florida.