Archive for August, 2008

30
Aug

Become a Public Relations Manager

Overview for Public Relations Managers

Public relations managers supervise public relations specialists. These managers direct publicity programs to a targeted audience. They often specialize in a specific area, such as crisis management, or in a specific industry, such as health care. They use every available communication medium to maintain the support of the specific group upon whom their organization’s success depends, such as consumers, stockholders, or the general public.

Public relations managers evaluate advertising and promotions programs for compatibility with public relations efforts and serve as the eyes and ears of top management. They observe social, economic, and political trends that might ultimately affect the firm, and they make recommendations to enhance the firm’s image on the basis of those trends.

Public relations managers may consult labor relations managers to produce internal company communications and financial managers to produce company reports. They help company executives in drafting speeches, arranging interviews, and maintaining other forms of public contact; oversee company archives; and respond to requests for information. Some handle special events, such as the sponsorship of races, parties introducing new products, or other activities that the firm supports in order to gain public attention through the press without advertising directly.

Employment Situation

There were about 50,000 public relations managers at work in the United States in May 2006. Most public relations managers were employed in service-providing industries, such as professional, scientific, and technical services; educational services, public and private; finance and insurance; and health care and social assistance.

Employment of public relations managers is expected to increase by 12 percent through 2016, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Job growth will arise from strong domestic and global competition in the products and services offered to consumers and increasing activity in television, radio, and outdoor advertising.

Education Outlook

Most public relations management positions are filled by promoting experienced staff or related professional personnel. Many managers are former sales representatives, purchasing agents, buyers, or product, advertising, promotions, or public relations specialists.

Salary Expectations for Public Relations Managers

Median annual earnings of promotions managers in May 2006 were $97,540. The highest salaries were found in the computer systems design and related services industry with $119,540.