#EUPRERAtalks series dives into the latest edition of the largest transnational study on strategic communication worldwide, the European Communicarion Monitor 2023.

Insights from the European Communication Monitor 2023
Date: November 10, 2023, Friday
Time: 11:00 am CET

What to expect from the webinar

The webinar will focus on the European Communication Monitor (ECM), a long-standing and extensive study in the professional communications sector. This annual study, conducted for 15 years across nearly 50 European countries, has been supported by EUPRERA and various academic institutions. In 2023, the researchers aim to summarise the key insights from their longitudinal research and discuss its implications for education, research, and industry practice.
The ECM 2023 report identifies five key areas that will shape the future of strategic communication and need specific attention, based on the empirical data and current research which has been additionally evaluated. These topics will be explained and expanded on in the webinar but they are:

1) Leveraging the potential of advanced tech and data use
2) Developing rare competencies and new roles for professionals
3) Reaching and impacting audiences in a hyperconnected world
4) Leading and motivating extraordinary communication teams
5) Building relationships in times of misinformation and distrust

The webinar will feature discussions by Professors Ralph Tench and Dejan Verčič, along with Stephen Waddington, offering insights into the ECM’s findings and its relevance to modern communication practices. It will also provide an opportunity for questions and answers.

The ECM is a rigorous academic study led by prominent university professors and supported by EUPRERA and the European Association of Communication Directors (EACD), with partnerships from organisations such as Cision, CECOMS, #NORA, and Fink & Fuchs.

The ECM has tracked the evolution of important issues for communicators since 2007. Notably, building and maintaining trust and aligning communication with business strategy consistently remain top priorities for communicators. Stakeholder expectations regarding sustainability and social responsibility, as well as managing the challenges and opportunities of the digital and globalised information flow, have also been key concerns.

Speakers and webinar moderators

Professor Dr  Ralph Tench, Leeds Beckett University, UK
Professor Ralph Tench is Director of Research for 150 academics at Leeds Business School and Past President (2017-2020) European Public Relations Research and Education Association. Tench’s research involves national and international projects. He’s written and edited 26 books; published over 60 academic journal papers; presented worldwide 70+ peer reviewed papers.  Books include the market leading strategic communication textbook, Exploring Public Relations, and Communication Excellence – How to Develop, Manage and Lead Exceptional Communications, based on the longitudinal, annual European Communication Monitor project (16 years, www.communicationmontor.eu). Tench’s research focuses on strategic communication and its impact on societal issues including health, business, social and public policy.

Prof. Dr. Dejan Verčič, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
Dejan Verčič is Professor and Head of Centre for Marketing and Public Relations at the University of Ljubljana, and Partner in communication and strategy firm Herman & partnerji, Slovenia. He received his PhD from the London School of Economics and Political Science, UK.  A Fulbright scholar, recipient of the Pathfinder Award, the highest academic honour bestowed by the Institute for Public Relations (IPR) in New York, and a Distinguished Public Relations Scholar by EUPRERA. He is a past president of EUPRERA, a member of the ECM research team, and since 1994 he organizes annual BledCom symposia.

Stephen Waddington, Managing Partner, Wadds Inc.
Stephen is the founder and managing partner of Wadds Inc, a professional advisory firm for creative agencies and communication teams. He is also a PhD researcher at Leeds Business School, investigating the relationship between public relations and management.  He’s an entrepreneur who has benefited from disruption in media and technology during his career in public relations. He built Rainier PR during the 90s, supporting companies in creating the infrastructure and applications that were the foundation of the Internet. He did it again ten years later, scaling Speed, one of the first agencies to work across paid, social, and earned media.  Stephen has worked for clients including Amazon, ARM, Associated Press, BMW, The Economist, Salesforce, Microsoft, and Virgin Media Business. Along the way, he has written and edited ten books and served as President of the CIPR. He’s an Honorary Fellow of the CIPR and a Fellow of the PRCA.

Duration

1 hour