Rhona Blake, the managing director of FleishmanHillard Ireland, has been appointed chairman of the Public Relations Consultants Association.
The PRCA is the trade association for Irish consultancies engaged in the practice of public relations and communications. The appointment was made at the PRCA AGM today. She takes over from the outgoing chairman Sharon Murphy, deputy CEO of Wilson Hartnell who has completed her two year term of office.
The incoming Chairman will work with a voluntary board and the PRCA’s CEO, John Carroll, to achieve its work plan over the course of the next two years.
According to Blake: “I look forward to serving as Chariman of the PRCA at such an interesting time for our industry. The expertise of professional communicators has never been more important as the world continues to grapple with enormous change and tries to understand the role and shape of communications in the modern era. Advances in technology; the changing role of traditional media; reduced levels of trust and authentication of sources coupled with the fact that actions define reputation are all factors influencing the changing communications landscape. Communications has never been more business critical and there are many exciting opportunities ahead for our member agencies”.
Sharon Murphy adds: “It has been a great honour serving the industry in which I have worked for the past 18 years. The PRCA represents the cream of the PR agencies in the market and there is real optimism amongst its members about the future. The PR sector has attracted the very best talent and with many agencies reporting strong growth, the PR industry has demonstrated that it has the skills to develop and deliver creative and compelling work with real agility to ensure that brands remain relevant in a fast paced, forever changing world.”
