USC Center for Public Relations

Our director, Fred Cook, is featured on The PR Week Podcast alongside Frank X. Shaw, Microsoft's Chief Communications Officer, and Melissa Waggener Zorkin, Global CEO of We. Communications. Together, they unpack how AI is transforming the way communicators work, create, and connect, highlighting insights from Energized by AI, our joint study with We. showing that communicators feel more valued, and the USC Relevance Report, produced with Microsoft, showcasing how AI is reshaping the future of communications. Listen here: https://lnkd.in/gEYcqH7j #AI #PR #USCAnnenberg #Microsoft #WeCommunications #ThoughtLeadership

Our director, Fred Cook, is featured on The PR Week Podcast alongside Frank X. Shaw, Microsoft's Chief Communications Officer, and Melissa Waggener Zorkin, Global CEO of We. Communications. Together, they unpack how AI is transforming the way communicators work, create, and connect, highlighting insights from Energized by AI, our joint study with We. showing that communicators feel more valued, and the USC Relevance Report, produced with Microsoft, showcasing how AI is reshaping the future of communications. Listen here: https://lnkd.in/gEYcqH7j #AI #PR #USCAnnenberg #Microsoft #WeCommunications #ThoughtLeadership

We are so proud of our graduate students India Starr, Karel Tinkler, and Michael Kittilson for representing the USC Center for PR at the PRSA Western District Conference! They did an incredible job presenting our research on how Gen-Z is approaching life, success, and the challenges of early adulthood, bringing valuable insights to industry leaders. We’re grateful for Fred Cook, Ron Antonette, and Josh Rosenberg's guidance and support and loved collaborating with Day One Agency on this project. #USCAnnenberg #PublicRelations #FutureofPR #GenZResearch

?? Introducing the cover of the 2025 Global Communication Report! We’re thrilled to unveil the official cover of this year’s Global Communication Report, launching March 27 at the 35th Annual Kenneth Owler Smith Symposium! ?? Titled Mind The Gap, this report explores how generational differences influence leadership, media habits, workplace culture, and the future of public relations. We’ll examine what these shifts mean for the industry through fresh insights and data and how communicators can adapt to stay ahead. Don’t miss the full report launch at #KOS2025, where we’ll break down the key takeaways and trends shaping PR. ??? ?? Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eRYrHvex #GlobalCommunicationReport #MindTheGap #USCAnnenberg #ZenoGroup #IABC #PublicRelations #PRLeadership #FutureofPR

?? The 35th Annual Kenneth Owler Smith Symposium is almost here! Join us on March 27 at USC Annenberg for an evening of insightful conversation and networking as we explore Mind The Gap: Examining PR’s Generational Divide. We’ll kick off with a welcome from Dean Willow Bay and a keynote from Kelly McGinnis, accepting our Purpose Award for Levi Strauss & Co. We will present the results of the Global Communication Report: Mind The Gap study by Fred Cook, Director of the USC Center for Public Relations. This will be followed by an discussion panel featuring top PR leaders: ? Speakers & Panelists: ?? Kyndall L. Echols – Former PR Manager, Savage X Fenty by Rihanna ?? Sona Iliffe-Moon – Chief Communications Officer, Yahoo ?? Bill Imada – Chairman & Chief Connectivity Officer, IW Group ?? Kelly McGinnis – Keynote Speaker & SVP & Chief Communications Officer, Levi Strauss & Co ?? Barby K. Siegel – Panel Moderator & Global CEO, Zeno Group ?? March 27, 2025 | 5:00 – 8:00 PM PT ?? USC Annenberg | Wallis Annenberg Hall (ANN), Auditorium (L105A) & Patio This is a must-attend event for PR students, professionals, and anyone curious about the evolving landscape of communications.

?? Meet the Panelists for the 2025 Kenneth Owler Smith Symposium! Join us on March 27 at USC Annenberg as top PR leaders discuss Mind The Gap: Examining PR’s Generational Divide. This insightful conversation will explore how different generations shape the future of public relations and strategic communication. ?? March 27, 2025 | ? 5:00 – 8:00 PM PT ?? Wallis Annenberg Hall, USC ? Panelists & Moderator (in alphabetical order): Kyndall L. Echols – Former PR Manager, Savage X Fenty by Rihanna Sona Iliffe-Moon – Chief Communications Officer, Yahoo Bill Imada – Chairman & Chief Connectivity Officer, IW Group Kelly McGinnis – Keynote Speaker & SVP & Chief Communications Officer, Levi Strauss & Co Barby K. Siegel – Panel Moderator & Global CEO, Zeno Group Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from industry leaders and gain valuable insights into the evolving PR landscape. ?? RSVP now: https://lnkd.in/gfK75W8P ?? More info: https://lnkd.in/eRYrHvex #KOS2025 #USCAnnenberg #PublicRelations #Leadership #PRIndustry #KennethOwlerSmithSymposium

?? Exciting Speaker Announcement! We’re thrilled to welcome Kelly McGinnis, USC Center for Public Relations Board Member and SVP & Chief Communications Officer at Levi Strauss, to the 2025 Kenneth Owler Smith Symposium! She will speak on Levi’s behalf as they receive the Purpose Award. ?? March 27, 2025 | 5:00 – 8:00 PM PT ?? Wallis Annenberg Hall, USC This year’s theme, Mind The Gap: Examining PR’s Generational Divide, will bring together industry leaders Barby Siegel (Zeno Group), Fred Cook (USC CPR), and more for an engaging discussion on the future of public relations. ?? RSVP now: https://lnkd.in/gfK75W8P ?? More info: https://lnkd.in/eRYrHvex #KOS2025 #USCAnnenberg #Levis #PurposeAward #PublicRelations #Leadership #PRIndustry

? We’re officially ONE MONTH away from the Kenneth Owler Smith Symposium! ? Join us on March 27 for an engaging discussion on "Mind the Gap: Examining the PR Industry’s Generational Divide." This year’s event will bring together top PR leaders to explore how different generations are shaping the future of our industry. Featured speakers include: ? Kelly McGinnis, SVP & CCO, Levi Strauss ?Barby K. Siegel, Global CEO, Zeno Group ? Fred Cook, Director, USC CPR ? + More speakers to be announced! ?? Wallis Annenberg Hall (ANN), Auditorium & Patio ? Reception at 5 PM | Panel at 6 PM RSVP now: https://lnkd.in/gfK75W8P Don’t miss your chance to be part of this important conversation. See you in one month! #USC #ASCJ #usccpr #PRFuture #KOS2025 #MindTheGap #PublicRelations #Leadership #Networking

We’re proud to support the 2025 Approaching the Future: Trends in Reputation survey, led by Corporate Excellence—Centre for Reputation Leadership and CANVAS Estrategias Sostenibles, in collaboration with the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management. The survey explores significant trends shaping the future of reputation, brand, sustainability, ethics, and transparency. Get involved: ?Take 5 minutes to complete the survey ?Receive early access to the final report ?Enter to win an exclusive toolkit for managing reputation and intangible assets. ?? The last day to complete the survey is February 28. Your voice can help guide the future of our field. Complete the survey here: https://lnkd.in/efYhxMnj #USC #ASCJ #usccpr #PRFuture #ReputationManagement #GlobalPR #ApproachingTheFuture2025

The Kenneth Owler Smith Symposium is back on March 27 at USC Annenberg! This year’s theme, “Mind the Gap: Examining the PR Industry’s Generational Divide,” will explore the evolving dynamics between PR professionals across different career stages. Join us for an engaging discussion featuring: ?Kelly McGinnis, SVP & CCO, Levi Strauss ?Barby K. Siegel, Global CEO, Zeno Group ?Fred Cook, Director, USC CPR + More speakers to be announced! ?? Wallis Annenberg Hall (ANN), Auditorium & Patio ?? Reception at 5 PM | Panel at 6 PM RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/gfK75W8P #USC #ASCJ #usccpr #PRFuture #KOS2025 #MindTheGap #PublicRelations #Leadership #Networking