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Print media continues to hold sway at pinnacle as the most preferred channel among Lankan PR professionals: survey
Print media continues to retain its supremacy as the most preferred channel among public relations (PR) professionals in Sri Lanka over other channels online, social media, TV/radio, and others, reveals a survey by the Asia Pacific branch of the world’s largest professional PR body- the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA).
The survey carried out with the view of understanding and informing on the state of the PR industry in Sri Lanka has found that 84 per cent of PR practitioners preferred the print media which is one of the oldest means of disseminating information. It is a popular form of advertising that uses physically printed media.
This comes as the second survey, following the first one on October 2022. The respondents once again cited the PR industry as being highly competitive with its own challenges, and one fourth shared positive sentiments that it has improved. When asked about which channels the agencies were promoting, online (90pct) dominated the list however this was closely followed by print (87pct), social media (71pct), TV/radio (50pct), community and outreach (23pct), and outdoor (13pct), PRCA board member and communications expert Thanzyl Thajudeen said.
Nearly 80pct of the respondents cited clients engaged mostly with routine PR activities followed by an equal weighing towards reputation building, brand positioning and product communications (65pct), with only 34pct on crisis response mitigation, followed by executive communications (25pct), internal communications (22pct), and ESG, DEI related (19pct).
However, their clients are also increasingly requesting for crisis response PR strategies (84pct) and internal communications (81pct), including ESG and DEI related activities and executive communications. These areas are a key highlight for 2024 and years to come in Sri Lanka, and agencies will need to gear up to bridge skills gaps to be counsel ready.
Respondents stressed the following learning areas to get through 2024, with 69pct rating social intelligence, followed very closely by analytics, DEI, ESG, AI, storytelling, and domain specific knowledge.
Proving the PR value to clients continue to be the most pressing challenge in the PR industry (56pct), followed by client acquisition and talent retention (47pct), and securing coverage and exposure (31pct). The diminishing budgets among clients allocated for PR is the biggest challenge (81pct), followed by payment delays (60pct), and skills gap (41pct). The challenges their clients were facing include external and economic pressures (68pct), budget cuts (65pct), retaining talent (55pct), proving ROI to their leadership (52pct) and finding customers and markets (39pct).
Mental wellness in the PR industry should be a key priority. Over a two-third surveyed had mixed thoughts on this, and positively nearly half of them said they had a well-balanced approached. However, two-third of the respondents cited having experienced poor mental health at some point in 2023. Many stressed that they had to work long hours (29pct) and also often during weekends (29pct).
Learning (66pct) followed by agency reputation (62pct) was cited as why they work where they work, followed by networking, compensation, and job mobility. 29 out of 32 respondents said they had received training at some point, and a majority of them (83pct) have networked with other peers in the industry in the last twelve months. Self-learning (84pct) continues to lead, followed by on-the-job training, workshops, events, and related qualifications.
Over 80pct stressed that the PR industry needs to work more on knowledge sharing. This was followed talent and capacity building (65pct), collaboration and partnerships (62pct), networking, and uplifting its ethical standards.
Many PR agency leaders and executives commented that a shift towards digital channels is crucial but it should come with the required literacy and ethical framework, and concerns on the widening skills and knowledge gap between experienced PR professionals and freshers need to be addressed, including advocating as a whole on the long-term impact and investment of PR among clients. Some also suggested that social and behavioral research, data-driven skills, transparency in communications, agility and collaboration, tech integration, and continuous learning are paramount to stay ahead in delivering impactful and resonating communications.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
