Just in time for Public Relations Month in September and Communications Month in October, the local chapter of the UK-based International Public Relations Association recently launched PR Matters, a communicator’s guide to the dynamic world of public relations.
BSP Deputy Governor Berna Romulo-Puyat was the guest of honor at the book launch held at Heritage XO at S Maison, which was attended by some of the country’s leading PR and communications practitioners, agencies, and friends from the media. They were welcomed by IPRA Philippines members led by local chair Noel Nieva, as well as Joy Buensalido and Millie Dizon, who spearheaded the book’s publication.
PR Matters is a compilation of articles written by IPRA Philippines members on an extensive range of communications-related subjects – PR basics, crisis management, media relations, corporate social responsibility ethics, trends, and the PR’s role in both the agency and corporate scheme of things. It also tackles the onset of innovations like the new media and AI, as well as challenges like the pandemic, which was recounted in the Coronavirus Chronicles series.
These were published as a roundtable column in a daily business publication, the first of which was Rene Nieva’s PR from a Global Perspective on May 20, 2013.  The rest, as they say, is history.
Given the members’ diverse backgrounds, competencies, personalities, and experience, the book is part of the group’s advocacy to bring Public Relations principles, tools, and values to a new generation of practitioners.
During the event, guests were given a glimpse of the book as speakers shared excerpts from articles that touched them. Business Mirror editor-in-chief Chuchay Fernandez highlighted how AI may change things forever, and cited Richard Burgos’s efforts to include science in communications during his DOST stint.
ANC’s Ron Cruz spoke about the power of storytelling which Bong Osorio featured in his article.  Mich Orosa-Ople, Managing Partner of Ripple8, touched on Ritzi Ronquillo’s take on leadership; while Mike Constantino, founder of Homonym, showed the audience how sonic branding can be a powerful tool.
IPRA, the International Public Relations Association, was established in the UK in 1955, and is the leading global network for PR professionals in their personal capacity.  It aims to advance trusted communications and the ethical practice of public relations through networking, its code of conduct, and intellectual leadership of the profession.
Those interested in the PR Matters book may place their orders via Viber message @0920-9542980 or send an email to [email protected]. ph.