World Communicators Day Focus on The Art of Writing Press Releases

• PRCI event at Punjab University

CHANDIGARH: The School of Communication Studies at Punjab University, along with Chandigarh Chapter of Public Relations Council of India (PRCI) observed the World Communicators Day by organising a workshop on The Art of Press Release Writing October 30, 2017.

PRCI observes October 28 as the World Communicators Day since it was on this day in 1906 that the first formal press release was issued by a Public Relations practitioner Ivy Lee in USA following a train accident. It also marked the beginning of formal PR and the birth of Crisis Communications.

Dr. Archana R. Singh, chairperson of School of Communication Studies, said that such

workshops and interactive session give a practical exposure to students and help

them when they step out to work for the industry.

National Executive Committee Member of PRCI and a PR consultant C.J. Singh, conducted the workshop citing various examples for pitching the press releases for various media. He informed about various elements required for writing a press release. He informed that the release needs to be projected in inverted pyramid style. He talked about the importance of ethics and credibility for professionals.

Earlier Ms. Renuka B. Salwan, Director Public Relations, PU and PRCI National Vice

President – North, pointed out that Council is a premier non-political organisation of professionals in the field of Public Relations, Communication, advertising and many other allied services. It has been actively perusing the spread and popularity of communication and Public Relation in India with 30 chapters pan-India.

She said that press release is an important source of information for the media that helps them reach out to their readers with news where their teams cannot reach. She gave tips for building stories into news by finding a right slot in media. She urged them to blend action with issue while writing the press release.

Over 30 students participated in the workshop on press release writing.  The students were given certificates of participations.

Thoolika Lit Awards Presented on World Communicators’ Day

ERNAKULAM:  Celebrating the World Communicators Day on 31^st October at Ernakulam Press Club, the Kerala chapter of PRCI, presented  the 3^rd Thoolika Literary Awards.

Dr M C Dileep Kumar, former Vice Chancellor of Adi Sankara University,  Kalady, was the Chief Guest gave away the awards to noted novelist and short-story writer E P Sreekumar and Dr Mary Metilda, one of the top HRD and corporate trainers from the South. She was the former teacher and  Principal of Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam.

E.P.Sreekumar was awarded the best literature (fiction) for the collection of stories, “Adhvanavetta”, while Dr. Mary Metilda was bestowed with the best literature (composition) award for “Jeevitam Padippicha Vijaya  Mantrangal”. The winners were adjudged by a jury comprising of eminent Journalists cum Authors, Ravi Kuttikattu,  Leela Menon and Story Writer, Author Dr.K.A.Marydas.

Sreekumar said that though he had received many awards in the past, he considered  the Thoolika  Award as the most prestigious one because it was presented by a premier  organization which provides the foremost platform for PR and communications professional s with close to 30 chapters pan India.  He held the trophy close  to his heart as he concluded his speech thanking the organizers.

Dr Mary  was very emotional while delivering her thanks-giving speech. She said that she will definitely share the happiness with her students and advise them to be good communicators in life because life is all about communication, without which the world will be like an empty shell. She also said that she accepted the award with high gratitude and would cherish the same for the rest of her life.

A snapshot of Media coverage

The jury chairman  Ravi Kuttikkad, a veteran journalist and noted writer, said that it was a great opportunity for him to be associated with a professional organization like PRCI and to  head the judging committee for selecting the winners of Thoolika award particularly while celebrating the World Communications Day.

Mr U S Kutty, chairman, presided over the meeting, Mr T Vinay Kumar Secretary welcomed the gathering and Mr P K Natesh, Treasurer offered vote of thanks.  The meeting was attended by more than 50 people including journalists and well wishers of PRCI.

Get, set, go...World Communicators Day - Oct 28

World Communicators’ Day – October 28: WCC celebrations underway

In the beginning, there was no press release!

And, PR pioneer Ivy Lee said on October 28, 1906: Let there be a Press Release!

The press release was created following a train wreck on October 28, 1906, in Atlantic City, N.J., that left more than 50 people dead. The train was owned by Pennsylvania Railroad, one of Ivy Lee's clients.

NY Times

In fact, that also marked the beginning of formal PR and the birth of Crisis Communication.

We at Public Relations Council of India, under the aegis of World Communicators’ Council (WCC), have decided to observe October 28 as the World Communicators’ Day.

Since we have enough time, let us plan in advance for the Day and look at conducting some professional activities.

Let us not focus on mere felicitations and awards. We have several of them. In fact, the awards should be just annual – part of our Global Conclaves. Frequent awards and felicitation for no rhyme or reason devalues PR movement. As it is we enjoy a bad reputation of popularising the pink shirt phenomenon.

Now to the activities for October 28. Since it is a Saturday and if it creates any issues of not being a working day, let us plan the celebration a day in advance – and not a week later.

Let Oct 28 be sacrosanct.

What we can do?

Since the day marks the issuance of the world’s first press release, we can plan a Media Relations workshop for the younger generation.

We can also plan workshops/chat shows under YCC banner.

Why not conduct a tour of young communicators to a media house?

Or a session on writing press releases?

Or skits on what the youngsters perceive of media?

We can have senor journalists coming and guiding us.

From the headquarters, we plan to do a national essay competition on few current topics and bring out a Digest. Please get as much participation as possible.

So, let’s plan in advance and get going.

-BNK24x7