PRSSA to host panel discussion about industry

Public Relations Student Society of America, a nationally recognized organization founded in 1986, will be hosting a panel discussion Thursday about the connections between public relations and the arts.

The "Public Relations and Arts" event, in keeping with the "Year of the Arts" theme on campus, is meant to enlighten people about how the arts and public relations are now intertwining. The discussion will take place from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in Room 210 of the Butler Library.

Deborah Silverman, PRSSA's moderator and associate chair of the communication department, will be among the faculty at the event.

"You can expect a good conversation about the arts in Buffalo," she said.

"There will be five panelists from various communication departments talking about the arts, such as what they do in their jobs, funding, different types of mediums, grant proposals, comparisons to other cities in regards to the arts and communication majors who took art courses," she said.

Among those topics for conversation, Silverman said she is interested in hearing what the panelists have to say about public communication efforts in the current economy.

For students who plan on attending the PR and Arts discussion, they'll be able take away something they haven't already learned in their everyday communication classes, since professionals will be able tell them directly what goes on day in and day out.

"I want to know what PR professionals who work in the arts do on a daily basis; the responsibilities of the job, the obstacles they face and the end goal that they are trying to accomplish," said Katie Bradley, president of PRSSA.

On the subject of the PR and Arts event, she said, "Networking can open doors and connect students to future job internships and job opportunities."

Silverman said she expects the subject of technology to make its way into the discussion.

PR professionals who have been in the field well before the Internet ever existed have to learn all about the newer technology whereas the younger generation already has experience with how the social mediums work.

Bradley said this is what being in public relations is all about.

"Middle aged PR professionals teach strategic tactics and the younger PR professionals teach social media tactics. The younger generation have a better grasp on technology and computers," Silverman said. "Nowadays you're probably wearing many hats in public relations."

Bradley said she believes PR professionals will use the same tactics they have always demonstrated, just with a new medium, despite the changes social media has made with how PR operates.

Renee Valentino, a senior who majors in public relations, said she sees beyond the stereotypes of the field.

"PR has a bad reputation because people think it's to lie for companies," Valentino said. "There's more to it like event planning, news releases and dealing with social media. I think it gives companies good reputations instead of bad ones."

The "Public Relations and Arts" event is free and open to all Buffalo State students, faculty and staff.

Devon Gabner can be reached by email at gabner.record@live.com.