IPR Research Symposiums

See Playback Videos Here!

See Playback Videos Here!

DOWNLOAD PROGRAM (PDF): 2020 RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM PROGRAM

Download Program: 2019 NY Research Symposium Program

Speakers included:
-Elite Truong, Deputy Editor, Strategic Initiatives at The Washington Post
-Dr. Melissa Dodd, Associate Professor and Assistant Director of Academic Programs at the University of Central Florida
-Kay Sargeant, Director of Workplace at HOK
-Dr. Tina McCorkindale, President and CEO, Institute for Public Relations
-Rebecca Rickert, Director, Global Communications at Prudential Financial
-Dr. Lynn Zoch, Professor Emerita, Virginia’s Radford University

Video Presentations: 

Video Presentations: 

Download Program (PDF): 2018 Program IPR Research Symposium

Speakers Included:
-Sarab Kochhar, Ph.D., Institute for Public Relations
-Tina McCorkindale, Ph.D., APR, Institute for Public Relations,
-Bryan Reber, Ph.D., and Juan Meng, Ph.D., University of Georgia
-Emile Lee, Dun & Bradstreet
-Bey-Ling Sha, Ph.D., APR,  San Diego State University
-Sriram Kalyanaraman, Ph.D., University of Florida
-Imad Lahad, APCO Worldwide
Video Presentations:

Download Program (PDF): 2017 IPR Symposium Program

Speakers Include:
-Dr. Sarab Kochhar, Institute for Public Relations
-Dr. Bruce Berger, University of Alabama
-Dr. Juan Meng, University of Georgia
-Evan Kraus, APCO Worldwide
-Ann Christiano, University of Florida
-Mark Stouse, Proof
-Dr. Jim Macnamara, University of Technology Sydney and a Visiting Professor at London School of Economics and Political Science
-Dr. Tina McCorkindale, Institute for Public Relations

The IPR Research Symposium is our special way of saying thank you to our supporters. Attendees are invited to listen to and discuss the latest public relations research findings with authors, fellow practitioners and educators. There is no charge to attend this event. #IPRBeijing17

Date: November 7, 2017
Time: 8 am – 12 pm UTC
Location:

The American Chamber of Commerce in the People’s Republic of China
The Office Park, Tower AB, 6th Floor
No. 10 Jintongxi Road, Beijing, 100020

Thanks to our partner:

Featured Speakers:

Sarab Kochhar is the Director of Research for the Institute for Public Relations. Dr. Kochhar has been Director of Research with the Institute for Public Relations since 2014. Her background includes not only significant academic achievements (including a Ph.D. degree from the University of Florida) but also significant practical experience working in public relations in her native India and in the US. She held a major communications position with the Indian government, worked with the Oklahoma Department of Architecture and has held affiliations with Ketchum and Burson-Marsteller. She is also the associate director of measurement and analytics at APCO Worldwide.

Jim Lin is the lead for Brand, Communications and Citizenship for IBM in China. His was previously the Senior Director of Corporate Communications for Oracle. Prior to that, he was a Public Relations Manager for Microsoft in China.

Tina McCorkindale, Ph.D., APR, is the President and CEO of the Institute for Public Relations (IPR), and was formerly a university professor. She has more than 100 research presentations and academic publications in books and journals with her research broadly focusing on social media with specializations in mobile technologies, engagement, and reputation. She is on the editorial review board of several academic journals and industry boards.

Organized by the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia (UiTM) & the Institute for Public Relations.

Date: November 9, 2017
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 2 p.m. MYT
Location:
Universiti Teknologi MARA
40450 Shah Alam
Selangor, Malaysia

“A Spectrum of Opportunities for Public Relations Research in the Fourth Industrial Revolution”

This International Research Symposium is our special way of saying thank you to our supporters. Attendees are invited to listen to and discuss the latest public relations research findings with authors, fellow practitioners and educators. There is no charge to attend this event. #IPRMalaysia17

Featured Speakers:

Dato’ Mohd Hamdan Haji Adnan was appointed as a Commissioner on 02 April 2017. Professor Dato’ Mohd Hamdan holds double masters in communication, the Master of Arts in Communication from University of Washington and Master of Science in Public Relations from Boston University, Diploma in Mass Communication from Institut Teknologi Mara (General Degree Equivalent) and a Teachers’ Certificate from Gaya Teachers Training College. He has also attended various courses pertaining to communication, environment and human rights in Australia, Canada, England, Iran, Philippines, Indonesia, India, Portugal, Uganda, Tanzania and Thailand.

Dr. Jamilah Ahmad is a professor at the Universiti Sains Malaysia in Penang, Malaysia. Currently, she is a senior research fellow for Centre for Mobile Studies, Xiamen University Malaysia. Jamilah was a visiting Professor at Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia and Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey. Jamilah is an accredited member and also Fellow of the Institute of Public Relations Malaysia (IPRM). Jamilah has carried out many researches and written numerous articles related to Public Relations, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Environmental Communication, education and awareness. Currently she is the Panel Members for Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) for Communication and Media Studies since 2009.

Dr. Kiranjit Kaur is a Professor in Public Relations at the Faculty of Communication & Media Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA Shah Alam, Malaysia. She has published a number of journal articles and book chapters in her research interest areas of public relations management, media ethics, and women and media. Kiranjit is a Fellow and an Accredited Public Relations member of the Institute of Public Relations Malaysia (IPRM) with more than 30 years of experience in public relations education. She serves on the IPRM council and chairs the IPRM Education Chapter.

Dr. Sarab Kochhar is the Director of Research for the Institute for Public Relations. Dr.  Kochhar has been Director of Research with the Institute for Public Relations since 2014. Her background includes not only significant academic achievements (including a Ph.D. degree from the University of Florida) but also significant practical experience working in public relations in her native India and in the US. She held a major communications position with the Indian government, worked with the Oklahoma Department of Architecture and has held affiliations with Ketchum and Burson-Marsteller. She is also the associate director of measurement and analytics at APCO Worldwide.

Dr. Tina McCorkindale, APR, is the President and CEO of the Institute for Public Relations (IPR), an independent nonprofit foundation that focuses on research that matters to the public relations profession. Formerly, she was an Associate Professor of Public Relations at Appalachian State University and has taught at several universities, including Cal Poly Pomona, University of Vermont, and Ramkhamhaeng University in Bangkok, Thailand. She has taught in West Virginia University’s graduate IMC program since 2009. She has received numerous awards and honors for her teaching and research.

Umesh Nair leads the Reputation team at Edelman, where he is responsible for driving strategic communication initiatives for the firm’s key clients across Technology, Corporate, and Public Affairs. Previously, he counseled several tech and non-tech businesses on their communications strategy. He has experience across key markets in Malaysia and India, including Kuala Lumpur, Mumbai and Bangalore. With experience in managing prominent projects and ability to understand critical communication drivers and trends in multiple markets, his key competencies lie in reputation management, strategic communication, influencer marketing, media relations, community management and brand communications.

Dr. Azizul Halim Yahya, is the Dean of Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA. He was previously the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic of University Malaysia Kelantan, and Assistant Vice Chancellor of Corporate Communication and Internationalisation in UiTMy.  He is also a Visiting Professor at Universiti Pendidikan Indonesia, Universiti Hassanuddin, Makassar, Universiti Malaysia Perlis and UCSI. Dr. Azizul holds a PhD in Advertising from Loughborough University, United Kingdom, MSc Mass Communication from Boston University, USA and a degree in Advertising from UiTM. He is actively involved in the field of publication and research.  Among the books that he has written include Communication and Attribution in a Crisis, and Advertising in Malaysia: the Consequences of Globalisation, Political Economy of Mass Media in Malaysia.

The IPR Research Symposium is our special way of saying thank you to our supporters. Attendees are invited to listen to and discuss the latest public relations research findings with authors, fellow practitioners and educators. There is no charge to attend this event. #IPRHongKong17

Date: November 14, 2017
Time: 4:00 – 5:30 HKT followed by a cocktail reception
Location: AIA Building, 1 Stubbs Road, Level 14, Hong Kong

Thank you to our sponsors:

Program:

3:00 p.m. – 3:10 p.m. Opening Remarks and Introductions
Stephen Thomas, Group Head of Corporate Communications, AIA Group

3:10 p.m. – 3:20 p.m. About the Institute for Public Relations
Sarab Kochhar, Ph.D., Director of Research, Institute for Public Relations
Tina McCorkindale, Ph.D., President and CEO, Institute for Public Relations

3:20 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. “Understanding Stakeholder Perceptions in Asia: Research-Driven Engagement”
Amy Wendholt, Managing Director of APCO’s Hong Kong office

3:45 p.m. – 4:10 p.m. “What Competencies Does the PR Industry Need in Future? Results of the Global Communications Report”
Tina McCorkindale, Ph.D., President and CEO, Institute for Public Relations

4:10 p.m. – 4:35 p.m. Break

4:35 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. “From Content to Context: Reshaping Employee Engagement”
Sarab Kochhar, Ph.D., Director of Research, Institute for Public Relations

5:00 p.m. – 5:25 p.m. “The Future of the Communications Function Structure”
David Ashton, Director of Brunswick Insight in Asia

5:25 p.m. Closing Remarks

5:30 p.m. Cocktails

Presentation Descriptions:

“From Content to Context: Reshaping Employee Engagement”
Sarab Kochhar, Ph.D., Director of Research, Institute for Public Relations

More than 1,500 employees in five countries are confident they understand the core purpose of their organization and find meaning in their work, but believe organizations have much work to be done in prioritizing and communicating strategy internally. This presentation will offer takeaways and suggested actions to improve Organizational Clarity and drive performance.

“What Competencies Does the PR Industry Need in Future? Results of the Global Communications Report”
Tina McCorkindale, Ph.D., President and CEO, Institute for Public Relations

Recent findings from the USC Annenberg Center for Public Relations’ 2016 Global Communications Report indicate that the global PR industry will approach $ 20 billion by 2020. Long-term growth will be driven by content and digital but will demand different talent, bolder ideas and better measurement. Are we embracing this change and investing in ideas? Do we train our teams and hire the kind of talent that will prepare us for this future? How do we break free of old patterns and adapt more quickly to a rapidly changing landscape?

“The Future of the Communication Function Structure”
David Ashton, Director of Brunwick Insights Asia

In an increasingly volatile and fast-moving landscape for communicators, how should corporates structure and staff their communications function in order deliver high performance? Proprietary research by Brunswick Insight among 200 senior communications professionals has found that many feel that the current structure and reporting lines of their communications function is holding them back – this seminar seeks to explore those shortcomings, the shifts in the operating landscape that demand a change, and the key success factors for structuring a communications function that is fit for success.

“Understanding Stakeholder Perceptions in Asia: Research-Driven Engagement”
Amy Wendholt, Managing Director of APCO’s Hong Kong office

Featured Speakers Include:

David Ashton is the Director of Brunswick Insight in Asia and is an expert in designing and delivering research solutions to guide communications campaigns and feed into strategic decision making. He joined the Brunswick Hong Kong office in August 2011, having previously worked for BritainThinks, a London-based research and communications agency, servicing clients like eBay, Coca-Cola and McDonald’s. David started his career at Populus, the pollster to the London Times and the British Conservative Party, where he worked for four years managing accounts for a range of clients spanning the worlds of business, politics and sport, including The British Conservative Party, BSkyB, The Premier League, Wal*Mart and Nestlé. During his time at Populus, David established and oversaw the running of the Company’s Parliament Panel.

Sarab Kochhar has been Director of Research with the Institute for Public Relations since early in 2014. Her background includes not only significant academic achievements (including a Ph.D. degree from the University of Florida) but also significant practical experience working in public relations in her native India and in the US. She held a major communications position with the Indian government, worked with the Oklahoma Department of Architecture and has held affiliations with Ketchum and Burson-Marsteller. Her current position with IPR is half-time. She also works half-time with APCO Worldwide.

Tina McCorkindale, Ph.D., APR, is the President and CEO of the Institute for Public Relations (IPR), and was formerly a university professor. She has more than 100 research presentations and academic publications in books and journals with her research broadly focusing on social media with specializations in mobile technologies, engagement, and reputation. She is on the editorial review board of several academic journals and industry boards.

Stephen Thomas joined AIA as Group Head, Corporate Communications in July 2012. AIA is one of the world’s largest life insurance companies, and is headquartered and listed in Hong Kong. It maintains operations in 17 markets around the Asia-Pacific region. Stephen has responsibility for helping to set AIA Group’s Communications strategy and leading its program for engagement with external and internal stakeholders. Stephen leads a team of specialists responsible for external and internal communications at Group level, and helps to convey a focused, compelling narrative around AIA’s key reputation drivers, including — performance, strategy, leadership and major growth initiatives.

Amy Wendholt, managing director of APCO’s Hong Kong office, brings to clients nearly a decade of experience advising corporations, governments, nongovernmental organizations and trade associations on communication strategies to optimize their businesses, reputations and government outreach in Greater China. She has worked at APCO since 2008, previously working in APCO’s Beijing office leading its government relations practice. Ms. Wendholt leads APCO’s health care practice in Asia Pacific, working with pharmaceutical, medical device and medical services clients as they confront the challenges of this dynamic region.

2016 Program:

2:30p.m. – 2:40p.m. Welcome

2:40p.m. – 3:05p.m. Renewing Our Promise: Public Relations’ Mandate to Champion Diversity for Our Organizations and Our Publicspresented by Dean Mundy, Ph.D., University of Oregon, Assistant Professor at the University of Oregon

3:05p.m. – 3:30p.m. Millennial Communication Professionals: Enriching Their Bright Promise for our Future presented by Bruce Berger, Ph.D.,Professor Emeritus, University of Alabama, and Juan Meng, Ph.D., Director of UGA ADPR China Program and Associate Professor at the University of Georgia

3:30 p.m. – 3:55 p.m. The Science of Influence: How Social Media Affects Decision Making in the Healthcare, Travel, and the Financial Industry presented by Marcia DiStaso, Ph.D., Director of IPR Social Media Research Center and Associate Professor at Pennsylvania State University

3:55 p.m. – 4:10 p.m. Break

4:10 p.m. – 4:35 p.m. “What Competencies Does the PR Industry Need in Future? Results of the Global Communications Report” presented by Fred Cook, CEO of Golin and Director of the USC Center for Public Relations and a Professor of Professional Practice in the Annenberg School at the University of Southern California

4:35 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Building an Engaged Workforce: The Impact of Organizational Leadership and Strategic Internal Communication, presented by Rita Men, Ph.D., Chief Research Editor of IPR’s Organizational Communication Research Center and Assistant Professor at the University of Florida

4:40 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Break

5:00 p.m. – 5:25 p.m. Pathfinder Award Presentation:Hyperglobalization and Hyperdemocratization: Implications for Public Relations, presented by Dejan Verčič, Ph.D., Professor and Head of Centre for Marketing and Public Relations at the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia

5:25 p.m. Closing Remarks

Featured Speakers Include:

Fred Cook, CEO of Golin and Director of the USC Center for Public Relations and a Professor of Professional Practice in the Annenberg School at the University of Southern California. As the visionary for the agency, and an employee of 30 years, Fred is constantly thinking of ways to help Golin and its clients compete in a constantly evolving world. To that end, in 2011 — in an effort to address the dramatic changes taking place in the communications industry — Fred created Golin’s revolutionary g4 model. This structure transformed our agency from a hierarchy of generalists to communities of specialists and inspired others to rethink the way they work.

Marcia DiStaso, Ph.D., Director of IPR Social Media Research Center and Associate Professor at Pennsylvania State University. Prior to entering academia, DiStaso worked in management and as a high-net-worth stock broker for the global investment management firm T. Rowe Price. She also has experience in agency (at Ketchum), nonprofit (at the American Red Cross), and university (at University of South Florida) public relations. She currently has an active consulting business primarily focusing on social media. Additionally, she has taught in higher education for over eleven years including appointments at the University of South Florida, the University of Miami, and Pennsylvania State University, where she won the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Promising Professor Award.

Rita Men, Ph.D., Chief Research Editor of IPR’s Organizational Communication Research Center and Assistant Professor at the University of Florida. Men’s background is based primarily in corporate communication research and consulting. Her research interests include internal communication, leadership communication, public engagement, measurement and evaluation, relationship/reputation management, and social media public relations. Accredited in public relations and as a Page Up member of the Arthur W. Page Society, Men’s professional experience includes corporate communication, marketing, and public relations research. She has worked internationally with Alibaba Group, Inc., Ketchum, Inc., and others.

Juan Meng, Ph.D., Director of UGA ADPR China Program and Associate Professor in Public Relations at the University of Georgia. Dr. Meng’s current research focuses on leadership in public relations, talent management and leadership development. Dr. Meng has received more than $190,000 in funding grants to support her research in the past six years. She has published her research in leading scholarly journals and books in public relations and communication management. Meng is a Plank Scholar at the Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations. She is the co-editor of the scholarly book based on a funded global public relations leadership research project, Public Relations Leaders as Sensemakers: A Global Study of Leadership in Public Relations and Communication Management..

Dean Mundy, Ph.D., University of Oregon, Assistant Professor at the University of Oregon. Before entering academia, Mundy spent approximately 10 years in the corporate world, primarily at the Coca-Cola Company headquarters in Atlanta, where he worked for the corporate treasury, core-brand market analysis team, and international McDonald’s account. He also worked for Accenture Consulting (formerly Andersen Consulting) as a business process consultant for a national “model banking” project and for Nortel Networks as a media relations analyst and corporate spokesperson for the southeastern U.S.

Pathfinder Award Winner:Dejan Verčič, Ph.D., Professor and Head of Centre for Marketing and Public Relations at the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. He was a Fulbright scholar at the San Diego State University in In 2013-2014. Verčič has published 11 books, and has written more than 300 articles, book chapters, monographs, reviews, and conference papers. His recent books are Culture and Public Relations (2012), The Global Public Relations Handbook: Theory, Research, and Practice (2003, 2009), Public Relations Metrics: Research and Evaluation (2008). In 2000 and in 2010, Verčič received special awards by the Public Relations Society of Slovenia, and in 2001 he was awarded the Alan Campbell-Johnson Medal for outstanding service to international public relations by the UK Chartered Institute of Public Relations.

The IPR Research Symposium is our special way of saying thank you to our supporters. Attendees are invited to listen to and discuss the latest public relations research findings with authors, fellow practitioners and educators. Due to limited number of seating, please register by October 7, 2016. There is no charge to attend this event.
#IPRSingapore16

Program:

2:oo p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
“The Future of the Communication Function Structure”
David Ashton, Director of Brunwick Insights Asia

In an increasingly volatile and fast-moving landscape for communicators, how should corporates structure and staff their communications function in order deliver high performance? Proprietary research by Brunswick Insight among 200 senior communications professionals has found that many feel that the current structure and reporting lines of their communications function is holding them back – this seminar seeks to explore those shortcomings, the shifts in the operating landscape that demand a change, and the key success factors for structuring a communications function that is fit for success.

2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
“Tell Your Right Hand What Your Left Hand Will Do: How the Timing of Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure Influences Consumer Evaluation”
Sungjong Roh, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at Singapore Management University

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities can be disclosed in two ways in terms of their temporal orientation: before activities are executed (prospective frame) or after execution (retrospective frame). This study investigated how alternative timing was used in disclosing CSR activities and its potential to affect consumer responses. In Study 1, using Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC), a computerized analysis of a web archive for CSR activities found that activities were mostly described through linguistic cues pertaining to the retrospective frame rather than the prospective frame. In Study 2 and 3, between-subjects experiments found that the prospective framing condition, that is, where the disclosure of CSR activities occurred a week before execution—compared to the retrospective framing condition where activities had been executed a week prior to disclosure—led to greater positive consumer evaluation.

3:oo p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
“From Content to Context: Reshaping Employee Engagement”
Sarab Kochhar, Ph.D., Director of Research, Institute for Public Relations

More than 1,500 employees in five countries are confident they understand the core purpose of their organization and find meaning in their work, but believe organizations have much work to be done in prioritizing and communicating strategy internally. This presentation will offer takeaways and suggested actions to improve Organizational Clarity and drive performance.

3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Break

4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
“Unpacking Public Sentiment Toward the Government: How Government Communication Strategies Affect Public Engagement, Cynicism, and Word of Mouth Behavior in South Korea”
Soojin Kim, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Singapore Management University

This study tests the relationships between two types of public sentiment toward the government, their antecedents and their outcomes. A Web survey was conducted in South Korea (N=1112) to understand citizens’ evaluations of their sentiments toward the government. The results show that perceived type of government communication strategy affects public engagement, public cynicism, and citizens’ positive and negative word of mouth behavior about government. Theoretical and empirical implications are discussed.

4:30 p.m. –  5:00 p.m.
“What Competencies Does the PR Industry Need in Future? Results of the Global Communications Report”
Gregor Halff, Ph.D., Professor and Deputy Dean of the Lee Kong Chian School of Business, Singapore Management University
Tina McCorkindale, Ph.D., President and CEO, Institute for Public Relations

Recent findings from the USC Annenberg Center for Public Relations’ 2016 Global Communications Report indicate that the global PR industry will approach $ 20 billion by 2020. Long-term growth will be driven by content and digital but will demand different talent, bolder ideas and better measurement. Are we embracing this change and investing in ideas? Do we train our teams and hire the kind of talent that will prepare us for this future? How do we break free of old patterns and adapt more quickly to a rapidly changing landscape?

5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
“Media coverage on MH370 Search Suspension and Its Impact on Public Reactions in Social Media”
Su Lin Yeo, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Singapore Management University.

This research purposes to understand the polarity of sentiments in social media (Twitter) in response to Malaysian Airlines’ (MH) announcement to suspend search for missing plane MH370 on 22 July 2016. It aims to examine the public’s reactions to media coverage by analyzing 6000 tweets. Tentative findings showed that the majority of twitter users were skeptical with MH’s rationale for suspending the search following the crisis two years ago, suggesting that corporate messages should be better targeted to address the concerns of key stakeholders. Implications of the impact of public relations effectiveness in developing key messages for media are discussed.

5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Closing Remarks

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Dinner (at Level 5 LKCSB Lounge)

Note: Dress code is business casual.

Speaker Bios:

David Ashton is the Director of Brunswick Insight in Asia and is an expert in designing and delivering research solutions to guide communications campaigns and feed into strategic decision making. He joined the Brunswick Hong Kong office in August 2011, having previously worked for BritainThinks, a London-based research and communications agency, servicing clients like eBay, Coca-Cola and McDonald’s. David started his career at Populus, the pollster to the London Times and the British Conservative Party, where he worked for four years managing accounts for a range of clients spanning the worlds of business, politics and sport, including The British Conservative Party, BSkyB, The Premier League, Wal*Mart and Nestlé. During his time at Populus, David established and oversaw the running of the Company’s Parliament Panel.

The IPR Research Symposium is our special way of saying thank you to our supporters. In the past, attendees discussed the latest insights around internal communication, listening, social media, and behavioral insights. The event has been held in New York, Hong Kong, and London.

PREVIOUS SYMPOSIUM: DECEMBER 2, 2020

DOWNLOAD PROGRAM (PDF): 2020 RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM PROGRAM

TO VIEW 2020 SESSIONS: 2020 RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM PLAYBACK VIDEOS

Directions to Boston University in London:
Boston University’s London campus is located at 43 Harrington Gardens in South Kensington (SW7). It’s less than a five-minute walk from the Gloucester Road underground station. Take the Picadilly, District or Circle underground lines to Gloucester Road. Turn right as you exit the station onto Gloucester Road and walk one block (about 100 meters – 110 yards) to the corner of Gloucester Road and Harrington Gardens. Turn right and walk straight ahead for about 300 meters (330 yards). Note that Stanhope Gardens becomes Harrington Gardens at Gloucester Road. Number 43 of Harrington Gardens is on the left.

Dress code is business casual.

Download Program: IPR Research Symposium in London

1:05 p.m. – 1:20 p.m. Welcome and Introductions

1:20 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
“Organizational Listening: The Missing Link in Two-Way Communication, Dialogue, and Engagement”
Jim Macnamara, Ph.D., University of Technology Sydney

Dr. Macnamara will present and discuss the key findings of his two-year, three country study of how organizations listen – or don’t – noting that listening is an essential corollary of speaking (i.e., dissemination information) in excellence, dialogic, relationships, and engagement theories of PR.

1:45 p.m. – 2:10 p.m.
“Measuring Corporate Reputation Through Opinion Research and Digital Analytics”
Kathleen Sprehe, Director of Reputation Research & Strategy at APCO Insight

How do companies ensure they are communicating effectively to key stakeholders? Using the case study of the company Flex – formerly Flextronics, the presentation will demonstrate the impact of opinion and digital research in the evolution of a brand.

2:10 p.m. – 2:35 p.m.
“From Content to Context: Reshaping Employee Engagement”
Sarab Kochhar, Ph.D., Institute for Public Relations

More than 1,500 employees in five countries are confident they understand the core purpose of their organization and find meaning in their work, but believe organizations have much work to be done in prioritizing and communicating strategy internally. This presentation will offer takeaways and suggested actions to improve Organizational Clarity and drive performance.

2:35 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Break

3:00 p.m. – 3:25 p.m.
“The Branding and Identity of the Nobel Prize”
Stephen A. Greyser, Ph.D., Harvard Business School

This presentation will explore the communications issues that arise when dealing with the Nobel Prize process. This research project is the first (and so far only) field-based research on the topic. The study has been accomplished with the cooperation of the Nobel Prize network.

3:25 p.m. – 3:50 p.m.
“The Science of Influence: How Social Media Affects Decision Making in the Healthcare, Travel, and the Financial Industry”
Marcia DiStaso, Ph.D., Penn State University

Organizations are increasingly focusing their efforts on content marketing and digital influencer programs, but how influential do consumers say social media and various sources really are on their behavior? This session will examine results of a consumer survey to determine what factors and sources on social media influence purchasing and decision-making in three industries: healthcare, travel and financial.

3:50 p.m. – 4:05 p.m.  Break

4:05 p.m.- 4:30 p.m.
“Irreversible: The Public Relations Big Data Revolution”
Mark Weiner, PRIME Research

The concept of and applications for Big Data are transforming business and the public relations profession. In this session, PRIME Research CEO and IPR Trustee Mark Weiner defines Big Data as it relates to public relations, describes data integration for public relations, and draws from three case studies from Southwest Airlines, MasterCard, and Cisco Systems.

4:30 p.m. – 4:55 p.m.
“Behavioral Insights: Foundation for Public Relations Practice”
Jon White, Ph.D., Henley Business School

Growing interest in the application of insights from applied psychology has special relevance to public relations’ itself, “an applied social science that influences behavior and policy,” said Harold Burson. This presentation will explore how behavioral insights research is vital to the public relations practice.

5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Cocktail Reception

Speaker Bios:

Marcia W. DiStaso, Ph.D., is the Director of the Social Media Research Center and an Assistant Professor of Public Relations in the College of Communications at Pennsylvania State University. She is a Senior Research Fellow of the Arthur W. Page Center, Chair of the PRSA Financial Communications Section, and Co-Chair of the PRSA National Research Committee. Her research focuses on exploring and informing the practice of social media, financial communication and investor relations. She serves on the Editorial Review Board of Public Relations Journal and is a member of the Research Advisory Committee of the International Public Relations Research Conference.

Stephen A. Greyser, Ph.D., is the Richard P. Chapman Professor (Marketing/Communications) Emeritus, of the Harvard Business School, specializes in brand marketing, advertising, corporate communications, the business of sports, and nonprofit management. A graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Business School, he has been active in research and teaching at HBS since 1958. He was also an editor at the Harvard Business Review and later its Editorial Board Secretary and Board Chairman. He is responsible for 16 books, numerous journal articles, several special editions of journals, and over 300 published HBS case studies.

Sarab Kochhar, Ph.D., has been Director of Research with the Institute for Public Relations since 2014. Her background includes not only significant academic achievements (including a Ph.D. degree from the University of Florida) but also significant practical experience working in public relations in her native India and in the US. She held a major communications position with the Indian government, worked with the Oklahoma Department of Architecture and has held affiliations with Ketchum and Burson-Marsteller. She is also the associate director of measurement and analytics at APCO Worldwide.

Jim Macnamara, Ph.D., FAMEC, FAMI, CPM, FPRIA, is Professor of Public Communication at the University of Technology Sydney, a role he took up in 2007 after a distinguished 30-year career in professional communication practice spanning journalism, public relations, and media and communication research. Jim holds an MA and PhD in media research and is the author of 15 academic and professional books including Public Relations Theories, Practices, Critiques (Pearson, 2012),  The 21st Century Media (R)evolution: Emergent Communication Practices (Peter Lang, New York, 2014); Journalism and PR: Unpacking ‘Spin’, Stereotypes, and Media Myths (Peter Lang, New York, 2014); and Organizational Listening: The Missing Essential in Public Communication (Peter Lang, New York, 2016)

Kathleen Sprehe, Director of Reputation Research & Strategy at APCO Insight, provides strategic communications guidance and counsel for clients using qualitative and quantitative research tools. Kathleen specializes in corporate reputation research and has worked with a variety of corporations, associations and organizations, such as Flex, Caterpillar, HP, Siemens and The Nature Conservancy.

Mark Weiner, CEO, PRIME Research, has dedicated his career to helping clients demonstrate and generate a positive return on their public relations investment. He is the author of “Unleashing the Power of PR,” a member of the PR News Measurement Hall of Fame and he is a visiting professor at the SI Newhouse School at Syracuse University. Weiner is a member of the International Association of Business Communicators, the Public Relations Society of America and the Institute for Public Relations, for which he served as a Trustee and the 2004 Chair of the Measurement Commission.

Jon White,Ph.D., is an independent consultant, a UK Chartered Public Relations Practitioner, a psychologist and visiting professor at Henley Business School, University of Reading and the School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies, Cardiff University in the UK. He works with international organisations such as the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the European Commission, as well as private sector organisations. Earlier this year he was apointed a research fellow with the Institute’s Behavioral Insights Research Center.

NOVEMBER 17, 2015 | YALE CLUB, NYC

Download Presentation: “How Changing Media Formats Impact Credibility and Drive Consumer Action”
Julie O’Neil, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Texas Christian University
Marianne Eisenmann, MBA, Head of Research & Analytics, inVentiv Health Public Relations Group

Download Presentation: “Data Analytics: The Emerging Cataclysmic Force in the Communications Industry”
Chris Deri, Senior Managing Director, Teneo Holdings

Download Presentation: “Leadership: The Final Frontier”
Anne Gregory, Ph.D., Professor of Corporate Communication, University of Huddersfield and Past Chair of the Public Relations Global Alliance

MARCH 19, 2015
AIA CENTRAL HONG KONG
SPONSORED BY AIA GROUP, BURSON-MARSTELLER AND TAYLOR BENNETT HEYMAN

Download Program: IPR Trustees Research Symposium Program – Hong Kong

About the Institute for Public Relations
William Heyman, President & CEO, Heyman Associates and Trustee of Institute for PR

Download PDF: About the Institute for Public Relations

Top 10 Public Relations Research Insights from 2014
Dr. Sarab Kochhar, Director of Research, Institute for Public Relations, presents the first annual edition of  the Top 10 Public Relations Research Insights of 2014 from the IPR Board of Trustees.

Download PDF: Top 10 Public Relations Research Insights from 2014

Connecting with the Social Brain: Changing Attitudes, Beliefs & Behaviors
Dr. Terry Flynn, APR, FCPRS, Assistant Professor of Communications Management at McMaster University, presents his initial research for IPR’s Behavioral Communication research program.

Download PDF: Connecting with the Social Brain:Changing Attitudes, Beliefs & Behaviors

“What Does Good Look Like in Global Employee Communications?”
Keith Burton, Principal at Grayson Emmett Partners, and Chair of IPR Commission on Organizational Communications, presents a quantitative study of Best-in-Class practices in Employee Communication.

Download PDF: What Does Good Look Like in Global Employee Communications?

TRUSTEES RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM 2014

Challenges for Communication Leaders – Insights from International Research
Dr. Ansgar Zerfass, Professor and Chair of Strategic Communication at the University of Leipzig, receives IPR’s 2014 Pathfinder award and presents “Challenges for Communication Leaders – Insights from International Research.”

2014 IPR Pathfinder Award winner

Research Journal of IPR
Dr. Donald K. Wright, Harold Burson Professor and Chair in Public Relations at Boston University, introduces the Research Journal of the IPR at the 2014 Trustees Research Symposium in NYC.

You can read the latest issue of the Research Journal online now.

Crisis Communication in the “Who Could Have Known?” Future
Robert Moran, Partner at Brunswick Insight, presents the top megatrands in Crisis Communication in the “Who Could Have Known?” Future at the IPR’s 2014 Trustees Research Symposium in NYC.

Organizational Clarity
Gary Grates, Principal at W20 Group and Member of IPR’s Commission on Organizational Communication, presents the Commission’s signature project “Organizational Clarity” at IPR’s 2014 Trustees Research Symposium.

Neuro / Behavioral Communications Research Project
Dr. Terry Flynn, Assistant Professor of Communications Management at McMaster University, present his latest findings from Neuro/Behavioral Communications Research Project at IPR’s 2014 Trustees Research Symposium.

Through the Lens of 10 Global Leaders: A Qualitative Perspective on Best-in-Class Practices in Employee Communication
By Keith Burton, Grayson Emmett Partners, Gary Grates, W20 Group, and Colleen Learch, KRC Research

This white paper to provides a sharp, cutting view of today’s world of global employee communication as seen through the lens of 10 leading practitioners. They’ve helped us understand the context of their work; their approach to communications; best-in-class practices they employ for success; how they measure the effectiveness of their programs; and real-world considerations for calculating a return.

PDF: Through the Lens of 10 Global Leaders

What Does Good Look Like? A Quantitative Perspective on Best-in-Class Practices in Employee Communication
By Peter Debreceny, Gagen MacDonald, and Colleen Learch, KRC Research

The results of this combined study are enlightening. It shows the humility of internal communicators when it comes to evaluating their own efficacy and contribution to company goals. It shows a clear– and wide – gap between what internal communicators know to be important in building efficacy, and what they are able to do at their company.

PDF: What Does Good Look Like

November 8, 2012, Yale Club, New York City

Public Relations Wikipedia Engagement: How Bright is the Rule?‘
Marcia DiStaso, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at Pennsylvania State University and Senior Research Fellow at the Arthur W. Page Society, discusses the obstacles public relations professionals face with Wikipedia engagement.

tandards for Public Relations Research & Measurement
Dr. David Geddes, former chair of the IPR Measurement Commission, discusses the importance of defining standards for public relations research and measurement, and explains the progress the industry has made to define them.

Where We Are Today on the Standards Effort

Public Relations: A Brain-Based Perspective
Professor Baba Shiv from the Stanford Graduate School of Business delivers a different perspective on public relations by focusing on different aspects of the brain.

Anger, Stress, Comfort and Challenge

Decisions of Desperation v. Inspiration

When Experience and Evidence Matters

Introducing Bruce Berger, 2012 Pathfinder Award Winner
Frank Ovaitt, President and CEO of the Institute for Public Relations, presents the 2012 Pathfinder Award Winner to Dr. Bruce Berger, University of Alabama.

Researching Power, Influence and Effective Employee Communication
Dr. Bruce Berger, University of Alabama, describes his research on power, influence and effective employee communication in public relations, explaining how leaders, supervisors and culture affect employee communication. He then demonstrates how the Organizational Communication Research Center provides practitioners with useful information.

The Organizational Communication Research Center

Leaders, Supervisors and Culture

Making Research in Organizational/Employee Communication Accessible
Keith Burton, President of Insidedge, and Jez Proctor, Digital Director at Architect, discuss how IPR is making research in Organizational/Employee Communication accessible to practitioners.

Global Best-In-Class Employee Communications Research
Keith Burton, President of Insidedge, and Colleen Learch, Vice President of KRC Research, examine global best-in-class employee communications research.

What’s Next om Employee Communications Research
Keith Burton, President of Insidedge, considers what is next in employee communications research.

NOVEMBER 21, 2013, YALE CLUB, NEW YORK CITY

The 2013 Trustees Research Symposium brought together IPR Trustees and others who have helped fund IPR research to review our progress and discuss the latest research findings in areas such as trust and credibility in social media; public relations and neuroscience; and crisis communication. The following presentations were given at this event:

How Theory Informs Practice: Situational Crisis Communication Theory (View full-length video)
Dr. W. Timothy Coombs, Nicholson School of Communication, University of Central Florida,
2013 IPR Pathfinder Award winner

Comparing effective vs. ineffective crisis communication, Dr. Coombs explains the relationship between practice, theory and research.

A Quantitative Look at Global Employee Communications Best Practices
Peter Debreceny, Consultant, Gagen MacDonald,
IPR Commission on Organizational Communication member,
& Colleen Learch, KRC Research

Examining the results gathered thus far from the IPR research program, Best-In-Class Practices in Employee Communication: Through the Lens of Ten Global Leaders, Debreceny and Learch discuss the study’s five main areas of inquiry.

How the Public Identifies Truth and Fact Online… and a Glimpse Into Mobile
Dr. Tina McCorkindale, Associate Professor of Communication, Appalachian State University,
IPR Social Science of Social Media Research Center Research Editor

Pulling from B.J. Fogg’s Stanford Web Credibility Research Project, Dr. McCorkindale provides real-life examples that highlight how people choose which information to trust and to share online.

The Sociology of Crisis: Social Communications Lessons from the Boston Marathon Attack
Dr. Jeanette Sutton, Disaster Sociologist, Senior Research Scientist, Trauma, Health and Hazards Center, University of Colorado

Offering lessons from the Boston Marathon attack, Dr. Sutton spoke about the impact of social media during crises. Social media monitoring can help people to better respond to challenging situations, but incorrect information can have negative results.