Is the PR industry killing itself?

In the past six months I have shaken hands with more public relations and communication firms than I can recall, ranging from single consultants to worldwide mega-agencies. In almost every instance, my hope of seeing the public relations profession survive the transformation becomes dimmer and dimmer. There are a few bright souls valiantly trying to keep the torch blazing, but we face grimm times…

My story:

Tonight … I felt like taking a break. When I relax, I absorb information. The act of learning is a calming one for me.

So I sat down at my computer and started browsing articles and press releases. Yet I didn’t find calming information. I found painful humor.

I read a release from the Public Relations Society of America (sounds impressive) that says

NEW YORK (Jan. 21, 2008) — Developed to generate dialogue between Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) leaders and members, PRSAY made its debut on the PRSA Web site Jan. 12, 2009. PRSAY features commentary from Michael Cherenson, APR, 2009 PRSA chair and CEO, William Murray, PRSA president and COO, and other PRSA leaders about issues and concerns facing the organization and the public relations profession.