Survey complements monitor studies in Europe, Asia-Pacific and Latin America
The global series of studies on the status quo and trends in strategic communication initiated by Professor Ansgar Zerfass from Leipzig University has been expanded by an important building block. The North American Communication Monitor now examines developments in the United States of America (USA) and Canada every two years. It complements the European Communication Monitor, which has been conducted annually since 2007, as well as the Asia-Pacific Communication Monitor and Latin American Communication Monitor, which are also conducted every two years. The studies use the same methodology and largely identical survey instruments, which are developed and coordinated in Leipzig.
The NACM is conducted and funded by the Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations at the University of Alabama.
In the ever-changing world of artificial intelligence, big data and “fake news,” The Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations seeks to better understand the rapid changes in the communication industry and to explore the status quo, qualities and trends of communication management in North America. The survey addresses topics including “fake news” and how to tackle it, how communicators provide insights for decision-making, as well as leadership performance, job satisfaction and personal stress among communication professionals in the United States and Canada. Characteristics of excellent communication departments will be identified and benchmarked against results from other key markets in Asia-Pacific, Europe and Latin America.
The NACM is led by five professors from universities affiliated with The Plank Center, including Drs. Bruce K. Berger and Karla K. Gower, The University of Alabama; Drs. Juan Meng and Bryan H. Reber, The University of Georgia; and Dr. Ansgar Zerfass, from Leipzig University in Germany.
“Not only will we have a better understanding of the communication industry in North America, we will have a greater opportunity for global comparison on issues regarding integrity and trust in what we see, hear and read,” said Karla Gower, Director of The Plank Center.
The NACM becomes part of the Global Communication Monitor series, the largest regular global study in the field of strategic communication and public relations. The series, initiated and led by Zerfass with renowned PR professors across the world, has analyzed trends in the field for more than a decade and covers more than 80 countries across Europe, Latin-Americaand the Asia-Pacific region.
Almost 35,000 communication professionals worldwide working in diverse organizations have been surveyed. Comparative data will be made available for key markets worldwide, e.g. China, India, Germany, France, Italy, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Mexico, Canada and the United States.
“The NACM is a continuation of the Plank Center’s goal to build a research-based foundation of knowledge regarding the values, qualities and dimensions of leadership in public relations,” said Bryan Reber.
In addition to this study, the Center has conducted more than 35 research studies in areas of public relations leadership, mentorship, and diversity and inclusion.
Empirical work for the NACM has already been completed. Results will be released in October 2018 in Chicago and will be available online afterwards.

Go to NACM website

 
About the Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations
The Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations is the leading international resource working to support students, educators and practitioners who are passionate about the public relations profession by developing and recognizing outstanding diverse public relations leaders, role models and mentors. Founded in 2005, the Center is named after Betsy Plank, the first lady of PR. Betsy’s legacy and vision continues on in the Center’s programs and initiatives to advance the profession and public relations education. For more information, please visit plankcenter.ua.edu.