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Is it worth PROs joining a PR trade organisation?

Let’s face it. We live in some pretty tough times. As individuals most of us have to think carefully about how we spend our hard earned cash. Likewise, and quite rightly, the organisations we work for are cautious about how they spend their money.

It is within this context that we ask: Is it worth PROs joining a PR trade association?

  • What are the advantages of PROs joining a trade association?
  • Why do people join?
  • Is membership a requirement for top PR recruiters or an irrelevance?

On the panel are:

Clarence Mitchell, Director of Media Strategy & Public Affairs, LEWIS PR

Clarence has over 20 years’ experience reporting for BBC Television and Radio News. During his time as both a General News Correspondent, and Royal Correspondent, he reported on many crisis situations including the aftermath of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, the troubles in Northern Ireland, the Balkans conflict and the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the USA.

After leaving the BBC in 2005, Clarence joined the Cabinet Office to become Director of the Government’s Media Monitoring Unit, overseeing its development and later transfer to the Central Office of Information. Whilst there, he was seconded to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and sent to Portugal to act as media handler for Kate and Gerry McCann after their daughter Madeleine disappeared in May 2007. The McCanns later took Clarence on as their full time media spokesman, a position he still retains. LEWIS PR is not a member of the PRCA and nor is Clarence a member of the CIPR.

Francis Ingham, Director General of the PRCA
Francis Ingham became Director General of the PRCA in November 2007, and Chief Executive in June 2010. Prior to joining the PRCA, he was Assistant Director General and Head of Public Affairs at the CIPR, having previously worked for the Conservative Party and the CBI.

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