Advice from the PR Pros: Cordelia Donovan

The Arthur W. Page Center for Integrity in Public Communication has conducted oral history interviews with dozens of the nation’s most influential public relations practitioners. The Page Center website features a vast collection of transcripts and videos of these interviews. On this blog, we will highlight some of the advice given by professionals on attaining positions in the field of public relations.

Cordelia Donovan, CEO of Cordelia Donovan, Inc., a public relations and marketing firm located in Manhatten, specializes in the beauty, finance and fashion industries.

Social media was a revolution, but using it will take evolution

“I think that with new media—social media—I think the PR rep needs to not just be the standard communications person. They have to be technologically savvy.”

“They have to know new media, social media. They even have to learn how to work a camera. A PR person’s (mentality) has to evolve. Their views have to evolve, their technology skills have to evolve—not just change but evolve.”

“I think that if you’re not that person, then it’s going to be very difficult for you in new media. But (for those who are) that person, there’s a lot of opportunity for people that are looking to evolve and they like a little bit of video with a little bit of social media and at the same time they’re a great writer and they can express for their clients a great way.“

“Whereas there was a clear distinction between a social media, PR, and a marketer, now all three of those are mixed and that’s your PR professional firm now.”