Frank Ovaitt | Institute for Public Relations

April 26, 2016[Blog], [Research Library]Frank Ovaitt

Frank Ovaitt, CEO Emeritus of IPR, reflects on the development of PR research in honor of IPR’s 60th Anniversary. A good ex-CEO keeps a low profile. So you haven’t heard much from me since I retired from IPR almost a year ago. Plus I’m fully engaged in a small farm in Kentucky that my wife … Continue reading What Are We Afraid Of? →

November 3, 2014[Blog], 2. ResourcesFrank Ovaitt

In a recent interview in Heyman Associates’ Positioning newsletter, IPR President & CEO Frank Ovaitt explained the development of public relations research standards and their value. Eighty-five organizations have pledged their support and commitment to these vital standards. Developed by the Coalition for PR Research Standards these guidelines, definitions, process, and protocols — in effect a manual for public relations measurement … Continue reading IPR President & CEO Discusses the Importance of Pledging to Research Standards →

September 15, 2014[Blog]Frank Ovaitt

This is the first in a series of five blog posts for Measurement Week. We’re getting there. But how have we gotten to Measurement Week, which starts today? The simple answer is: The International Association for Measurement and Evaluation of Communications (AMEC) organized interested parties around the world to focus on the gap between understanding the value of … Continue reading How Did We Get to Measurement Week? →

February 5, 2014[Blog][blog news]Frank Ovaitt

For the first time in its 58-year history, the Institute for Public Relations (IPR) is hiring a director of research. Starting July 1, Sarabdeep “Sarab” Kochhar will lead our research programs, serving as chief strategist and counselor to the Board of Trustees on research matters, and primary IPR spokesperson on research and how practitioners can … Continue reading IPR Hires First Director of Research →

August 5, 2013[Blog][blog research]Frank Ovaitt

IPR friends occasionally send me research conducted by their organizations with implications for public relations practice. I recently received an email from Richard Edelman with a report that shared insights into the role of sponsored content (created or curated by corporations) from a public relations perspective. Research led by Steve Rubel, chief content strategist at … Continue reading Monitoring the Shift to Sponsored Content →

May 28, 2013[Blog][blog news]Frank Ovaitt

The first element of an Institute for Public Relations (IPR) research program exploring best practices in global employee communications is now available free on the IPR website. The results of in-depth interviews can be found in a new report entitled “Best- In-Class Practices in Employee Communication: Through the Lens of 10 Global Leaders.” This qualitative … Continue reading Ten Leaders In Global Employee Communications Tell How They Do It →

May 28, 2013[News][blog news], press releaseFrank Ovaitt

GAINESVILLE, FL — The first element of an Institute for Public Relations (IPR) research program exploring best practices in global employee communications is now available free on the IPR website. The results of in-depth interviews can be found in a new report entitled “Best- In-Class Practices in Employee Communication: Through the Lens of 10 Global … Continue reading New From IPR: Ten Leaders In Global Employee Communications Tell How They Do It →

February 12, 2013[Blog][blog news]Frank Ovaitt

Dan Ariely of the Duke University Fuqua School (and one of my favorite behavioral economists) posted a new video last week on “The Pain of Paying.” There are lessons here about encouraging desired outcomes by adapting communication to the realities of how people think about paying for stuff. That’s not to say manipulating them to … Continue reading Dan Ariel Talks about Pain of Paying →

January 10, 2013[Blog][blog news], include employee communications, leadership, organizational communicationFrank Ovaitt

At the IPR Trustees Research Symposium in November, Bruce Berger, winner of the 2012 Pathfinder Award for an original program of scholarly research advancing the practice of public relations, spoke to an audience of research funders about his work. Summarizing decades of focus on employee communications, Bruce said: Let me close by summarizing what I … Continue reading Listening to Bruce Berger: Leaders, Supervisors and Culture →

October 15, 2012[Research Library], StandardsFrank Ovaitt

Speaking at the 3rd IPRA International Public Relations Congress & Latin American Meeting in Lima, Peru, IPR CEO Frank Ovaitt presented a keynote presentation on the process for reaching consensus on public relations research and measurement standards. “Clients are demanding that public relations practitioners develop and apply best practices, common definitions and standards to their … Continue reading Reaching a Consensus: Standards for Public Relations Research and Measurement →

September 17, 2012[Blog][blog research]Frank Ovaitt

At an Institute for Public Relations Board meeting earlier this month, Trustee Maril MacDonald suggested that IPR might provide guidance to practitioners on how to identify bad research. That could be a mission in itself for IPR. But I decided to start by asking our Research Fellows what they would advise. Here is the wisdom … Continue reading Spotting Bad Research →

April 24, 2012[Blog][blog events], [blog news], [blog research], Global Public RelationsFrank Ovaitt

The organizers of Bledcom, the legendary international public relations research conference at Lake Bled, Slovenia, have released the program for 2012. The July 6-7 conference breaks into two tracks focused on academic and corporate research. Current and former IPR Trustees, Research Fellows and commission members appearing the program include Don Wright, Rob Wakefield, Ansgar Zerfass, … Continue reading Legendary Research Conference, Stunning Venue →

October 20, 2011[Research Library], Education in PRFrank Ovaitt

While the number of public relations graduate programs in the United States nearly tripled since 2000, inconsistent curricula and degree requirements may be lowering the value of this education and creating confusion for students, educators and employers. Three studies by the Commission on Public Relations Education (co-chaired by IPR President & CEO Frank Ovaitt) include … Continue reading Setting Standards for Graduate Education in Public Relations →

January 30, 2009[Blog], Investor Relations[blog news]Frank Ovaitt

From the Dutch East India Company to a highly respected (and perhaps highest paid) specialization in public relations, Alexander Laskin, Ph.D. explores the investor relations (IR) research base in his section of the Institute for Public Relations’ Essential Knowledge Project. As Laskin tracks the evolution of IR, he also offers his historical take. It may … Continue reading What CEOs Really Want: The Evolution of Investor Relations →

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