WHO:
The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is the world’s largest organization for public relations professionals, with nearly 32,000 professional and student members who represent business and industry, counseling firms, independent practitioners, military, government, associations, hospitals, schools, professional services firms and nonprofit organizations.
WHAT:
PRSA announced today that it has challenged the McCain and Obama campaigns to agree to uphold the highest standards of ethical practice in every facet of their campaign communications. The Society formally requested that campaign communications directors Robert Gibbs (Obama for America) and Jill Hazelbaker (John McCain 2008) sign a pledge obligating them to abide by the PRSA Code of Ethics in their campaign communications. Specific guidelines relevant to campaign communications policies under the PRSA Code include: being honest and accurate in all communications, acting promptly to correct erroneous communications, investigating the truthfulness and accuracy of information released on behalf of those represented, and avoiding deceptive practices.
WHY:
PRSA is responsible for representing, educating, setting standards of excellence and upholding principles of ethics for its members and, more broadly, the $4 billion U.S. public relations profession. The PRSA Code of Ethics, considered the industry standard for ethical conduct by communications professionals, sets forth key principles that are essential to “serving the public interest and contributing to informed decision making in a democratic society.”
PRSA leadership has taken public positions on the use of front groups, paid political spokesmen and other communications ethics issues, including those raised by the memoir of former presidential press secretary Scott McClellan, anonymous Internet postings following the juicycampus.com revelations, and court-ordered disclosure of journalists’ sources in the Valerie Plame affair. PRSA leadership also has provided training at the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in connection with its communications efforts following last year’s California wildfires; delivered congressional testimony against proposed Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations that would have inhibited journalists’ freedom to air information from video news releases; and spearheaded a private sector summit on public diplomacy at the U.S. State Department, among other activities.
INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY:
PRSA Chair & CEO Jeffrey Julin, a recognized expert in communications ethics, is able to define communications ethics for your audience; discuss theory and practice surrounding communications ethics in the context of a national election; and point to common ethical shortfalls in political discourse, such as the use of innuendo, incomplete information, surrogate messaging and character attacks. Based in Denver, he is available for live/taped/phone interviews, roundtables and other topical discussions. A biography is appended. For scheduling, contact Joe DeRupo at joseph.derupo@prsa.org.
Jeffrey Julin, APR
Chair and Chief Executive Officer, PRSA
Jeffrey Julin, APR, is chair and chief executive officer of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). The world’s largest organization of public relations professionals, PRSA has nearly 32,000 members across all industry sectors, including business, education, government, military, association, nonprofit, agency and consulting.
A PRSA national board member since 2002, Julin played a key role in driving PRSA efforts in strategic planning, public relations ethics and communications advocacy. As chair and CEO, Julin will spearhead implementation of the PRSA Strategic Plan aimed at maximizing member value. He was instrumental in developing the Plan, having previously served as chair-elect, secretary and treasurer. Julin also played a fundamental role in developing the current PRSA Code of Ethics, served on the PRSA Board of Ethics and Professional Standards and was a founding member of the PRSA Advocacy Committee.
Julin is president of MGA Communications, a Denver-based firm he formed 20 years ago. MGA is consistently ranked as one of the region’s top communications firms, and is nationally regarded for its award-winning work in stakeholder engagement and issues management.
A 30-year industry veteran, Julin is particularly well known for his work involving community and activist groups. With roots in Colorado’s mining communities, Julin also developed a natural affinity for engagement-based programs. Julin’s broad experience also includes integrated marketing and communications strategies spanning industries as diverse as real estate, finance, natural resources, food service and e-commerce.
A recognized expert in public relations ethics, Julin is passionate about the future of the profession in an increasingly diverse society. He strongly advocates rigorous, respectful dialogue in a democratic society, stemming from his experience in leading community discussion on controversial issues ranging from product liability to regulatory and labor situations.
In addition to his professional endeavors, Julin is a community leader. He is a longtime member and a past board member of the Public Affairs Council of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the Center for Bioethics and Humanities Advisory Board for the University of Colorado Denver Health and Science Center. He served as president of the board of Family Tree and as a director on the board of the National Repertory Orchestra. He was also president of Public Relations Organization International, the oldest international network of independently owned public relations firms.
A native of Leadville, Colo., Julin received his Bachelor of Arts in communications from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
