Everything to know about the public relations industry, from pay and hiring to growth areas
- The PR business has been going through big changes as clients demand more proof of performance.
- It's also been in demand as CEOs seek help communicating in turbulent times.
- Here's a primer on the industry for people looking to grow their PR business or break into it.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
The public relations industry is going through big changes as PR firms invest in data and analytics to prove the value of their services to clients and fend off competition.
They're also expanding into areas like advertising, digital, and ecommerce services.
Some have begun rehiring and restoring pay cuts after making cutbacks in the pandemic and taking advantage of booming areas like financial communications and diversity, equity, and inclusion, creating lucrative if high-pressure jobs.
Insider has been tracking these trends at some of the largest PR firms including Edelman, Weber Shandwick, and Sard Verbinnen, and rounded up our coverage on everything from hot practice areas, how to get hired, and pay.
Below are resources to guide people looking to learn about the industry, grow their existing PR businesses, or break into the field.
Hiring, pay trends
The PR industry employed around 270,000 people in the US as of 2019, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It employs people who work in-house at brands as well as agencies of all sizes.
PR firms have cut hundreds of jobs in the downturn, but the field remains high-paying and intensely competitive, with growing opportunities in pharma, tech, and healthcare communications.
Meet 12 top public relations recruiters to know right now
The industry is attracting new investment
Private equity is pouring money into the PR industry, drawn to its high recurring revenues, diversified businesses, and cash flow.
Notable deals have included Golden Gate Capital's stake in Sard Verbinnen & Co. and Stagwell Group's investment in PR firms.
Investment giant Apollo is planning to sell Notified, one of the biggest PR software companies
10 public relations firms that experts say are plum acquisition targets
Some areas of PR have thrived in the downturn
While the industry took a hit in the downturn, CEOs of some of the biggest firms like Edelman, BCW, and FleishmanHillard see their businesses benefitting as new pitches pick up and companies seek help with crisis situations and communicating to the public and their workforces about office reopening and diversity and inclusion issues.
PR itself has come under scrutiny along with other industries for falling short when it comes to diversity leading some to pledge to hire more people of color, among other steps.
Firms see opportunity in advertising and consulting
A lucrative but less understood niche is strategic communications, which involves crisis, litigation, financial, and other high-stakes public relations and comprises firms like Finsbury, Kekst CNC, and Gladstone Place Partners.
Firms are also gearing up to take market share from advertising and management consulting companies, arguing that they can help clients deal with crises and promote brands to people who may not be receptive to traditional ads.
Porter Novelli's CEO lays out his plan to revive the PR firm after office closures and years of decline
Meet 18 top PR pros that companies like SoFi and Talkspace are turning to in the SPAC IPO craze
These are the top 15 financial public relations pros CEOs call when their companies are on fire
How technology is changing PR
Public relations pros are facing increased pressure to prove the value of their services to clients.
These pressures have given rise to a $4.5 billion communications software industry that helps PR pros do things like monitor news coverage and social media, provide accurate measurements, and identify influencers and journalists.
Some PR firms like Edelman and MSL have responded by developing their own tools to monitor news and track the impact of PR for clients like Procter & Gamble and Cadillac.
Read more: The top 27 software companies serving the public relations industry
PR agencies are beefing up their data services to keep consulting firms like Deloitte and Accenture from eating their lunch