World Communication Day observed at Chandigarh

The School of Communication Studies at Punjab University, along with Chandigarh Chapter of Public Relations Council of India (PRCI) observed the World Communicators Day by organising a workshop on The Art of Press Release Writing October 30, 2017.

PRCI observes October 28 as the World Communicators Day since it was on this day in 1906 that the first formal press release was issued by a Public Relations practitioner Ivy Lee in USA following a train accident. It also marked the beginning of formal PR and the birth of Crisis Communications.

Dr. Archana R. Singh, chairperson of School of Communication Studies, said that such

workshops and interactive session give a practical exposure to students and help

them when they step out to work for the industry.

National Executive Committee Member of PRCI and a PR consultant C.J. Singh, conducted the workshop citing various examples for pitching the press releases for various media. He informed about various elements required for writing a press release. He informed that the release needs to be projected in inverted pyramid style. He talked about the importance of ethics and credibility for professionals.

Earlier Ms. Renuka B. Salwan, Director Public Relations, PU and PRCI National Vice

President – North, pointed out that Council is a premier non-political organisation of professionals in the field of Public Relations, Communication, advertising and many other allied services. It has been actively perusing the spread and popularity of communication and Public Relation in India with 30 chapters pan-India.

She said that press release is an important source of information for the media that helps them reach out to their readers with news where their teams cannot reach. She gave tips for building stories into news by finding a right slot in media. She urged them to blend action with issue while writing the press release.

Over 30 students along with faculty members participated in the workshop on press release writing.  The students were given certificates of participation.