The big picture in PR

Angela Church, director: public relations at Eastern Cape Technikon will focus on the role democracy has played in creating new playing fields which public relations and communication practitioners must understand and embrace in order to keep the profession relevant and respected.

"The last 10 years of democracy have changed the playing field for public relations and communication practitioners in South Africa. In my experience, there are essential skills that have developed to assist with 'playing the game' successfully. These skills include relationships, cross-cultural communication, issues management; communication media and personal challenges," says Church. These are some of the issues she will be addressing in her presentation and provide helpful guidelines to practitioners to overcome these problems.

Other speakers at the conference include:
-- Anton Harber (Caxton professor of journalism and media at Wits University): The global, continental and local scenarios relevant to our profession.
-- Michelle Atkins (Managing Director at Text 100): Are we leaders or followers in the global market?
-- Andy Rice (CEO at Yellowwood Brand): Corporate reputation in a new context.
-- Laura Nel (Corporate Affairs Manager at Johnson & Johnson): Case study: Aligning Johnson & Johnson Sub-Sahara Africa behind an organizational vision for the future.
-- George Knoke (PR manager at ABSA): Crisis communication & media: What to do when you get that call.
-- Vuyelwa Vika (Communications manager at Coega): Environmental communication case study.
-- Celia Theart (Director at Intengu Communication): Government relations in a new context.

PRISA - The Institute for Public Relations and Communication Management, is holding its national conference from 23 May to 25 May 2004 at the blue Lagoon Hotel, East London, Eastern Cape. For more information on the PRISA national conference please contact Phindile Suntsha on 27 11 326 1262.