Need to maintain balance between technology, content and interpersonal relations in PR- MCU VC Prof. Dr. K.G. Suresh

Immense career opportunities for students in Public Relations- PR Guru Dr Suresh Gaur

Bhopal, 16^th July, 2024: Department of Advertising and Public Relations of Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication, Bhopal celebrated the World PR Day with great fervor and organized a special lecture under the theme “The Future of Public Relations in a Changing World.” The honorable Vice Chancellor of MCU Prof. K.G. Suresh chaired the session and PR Guru Dr. Suresh Gaur was the key note speaker.

In his welcome address, Prof. K.G. Suresh shared that MCU has one of the oldest Advertising and PR department in the country and our students are placed in leading PR and Ad agencies. The Directorate of Public Relations also declared MCU as the training and examination center for all the public relations officers of the government of Madhya Pradesh. Prof. K.G. Suresh said that in a world where communication shapes perceptions and drives actions, the role of public relations has never been more crucial. He also highlighted the dynamic role PR practitioners’ play in navigating modern communication complexities and said that in an era of technological advancements and shifting societal norms, PR is continuously transforming. Digital media has revolutionized information dissemination, demanding a more agile approach. Social media platforms, in particular, have become essential for engagement, requiring expertise in real-time communication and crisis management. Content has also undergone major changes and it has become more creative and innovative. The demand for PR is increasing with so many startups coming and entrepreneurs looking for PR solutions opening so many avenues for the students to build a successful career in Public Relations.

The keynote speaker of the session PR Guru, Dr. Suresh Gaur shared that every year on July 16th, the global community of PR professionals comes together to celebrate World PR Day to honor Ivy Lee, one of the pioneers of Public Relations practice who was born on the same date 145 years ago. This day is dedicated to recognizing the impact and importance of public relations in our interconnected world. He explained that authenticity and transparency are reshaping PR strategies and the future of PR in changing the world depends on four things namely technology, trust, content and social responsibility. Data and analytics will significantly influence PR’s future. Improved data collection and analysis enable targeted, effective campaigns, enhancing messaging precision and strategy. Today’s audiences demand genuine interactions, calling for PR professionals to build trust through honest communication, fostering deeper stakeholder connections. He said that the future of PR in changing world is very bright but it also requires adaptation and innovation. He also said that the future of PR in the changing world will be very exciting and challenging and innovations will transform the field in the future. We need to adapt to growing use of artificial intelligence, machine learning and data analytics and increasing importance of authenticity and transparency . The HOD of Advertising and PR department, Prof. Pavitra Shrivastava was the convener of the session and Director, Training, Dr. Jaya Surjani was the moderator. Noted PR practioners, Gurumukh Singh Bawa and Simran Gulati also shared their views. The special lecture witnessed participation from a number of PR professionals, faculty members, research scholars and students.