1

Background

• To better understand how PRSA delivers value to members and to determine avenues for growth, PRSA in conjunction with Ketchum Global Research and Analytics conducted the third installment of its Membership Study, also completed in 2008 and 2011.

• In addition to observing the current state of the PRSA landscape, the study analyzes key trends from 2008 to present and evaluates differences among age groups (Millennials, Gen X and Boomers) and membership status (member, lapsed member, never member).

2

Key Questions Addressed

1. How have key membership metrics changed from 2008 and 2011?

2. How does the population segment in terms of engagement with PRSA?

3. What drives membership recommendation and renewal, and which brand attributes contribute most to both among both general member population and key segments

4. What services signify the best the opportunities for growth and which can be dropped? What are barriers among lapsed and non-members?

5. What is the role of the APR?

6. How, if at all, do Millennials differ?

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What is the Role of the APR?

• Awareness of the APR is very high, more so among members than non-members (98% of members vs. 84% of non-members are familiar).

• APR represents or is indicative of a high level of accomplishment rather than a relevant, necessary, valuable career advancement tool. PRSA members are much more likely than lapsed and non-members to view the APR as an accomplishment

in PR, and also to believe it is relevant/valuable.

• The APR is not a notable barrier to member involvement in PRSA, it is also not seen as a key component of Board membership. Less than half (44%) deem it very important to Board member and a similar proportion (46%) feel it should be

a requirement. Indicating the relevance of APR in leading the industry may be waning. These percentages drop more so among Millennial members as well as lapsed and non-members.

4

Opportunities for Growth: Trending Data Reveal Members Increasingly Want Professional Development & Knowledge Resources via Local Chapters and Online Resources

Most Valued 2014 Products/Services 2008 2011 2014Change between

2011-2014

Networking provided by local Chapters 68% 68% 72% +4www.prsa.org 62% 64% 71% +7Professional Development programs provided by local Chapters 42% 64% 71% +7Code of Ethics 71% 69% 70% +1Webinars n/a 35% 70% +35Offers preferred member pricing for Professional Development and other events

53% 59% 69% +10

Jobcenter 61% 67% 67% 0APR 63% 64% 66% +2Issues and Trends daily e-newsletter 51% 60% 63% +3The Tactics publication 67% 62% 62% 0The Strategist publication 65% 62% 61% -1Electronic library of PRSA articles and case studies 42% 50% 58% +8Member Directory n/a 53% 56% +3Professional Development programs provided by PRSA Professional Interest Sections

42% 48% 49% +1

In-person Professional Development workshops and seminars provided by PRSA National

42% 47% 49% +2

• Members view PRSA’s online resources as more valuable now than in 2011, with webinars greatly increasing in perceived value (webinars became free to members in 2011, largely accounting for this significant jump).

• Preferred-pricing for professional development programs/events continues to increase in value among members.• Industry news publications (i.e. Issues and Trends, Tactics, The Strategist) have remained stagnant or decreased in value.

Q18. Please indicate how valuable the following services and products offered by PRSA are to you or please indicate if you are not aware of the service or product. (Top 3 Box) n=1417

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Opportunities for Growth: Non-Members look for Local and Online Job Resources, Code of Ethics

Most Valued 2014 Products/Services Members Non-Members Gap

Networking provided by local Chapters 72% 49% -23www.prsa.org 71% 52% -19Professional Development programs provided by local Chapters

71% 49% -22

Code of Ethics 70% 53% -17

Webinars 70% 41% -29Offers preferred member pricing for Professional Development and other events

69% 39% -30

Jobcenter 67% 63% -4

APR 66% 44% -22Issues and Trends daily e-newsletter 63% 30% -33The Tactics publication 62% 27% -35The Strategist publication 61% 28% -33

Electronic library of PRSA articles and case studies 58% 44% -14

Member Directory 56% 38% -18Professional Development programs provided by PRSA Professional Interest Sections

49% 45% -4

In-person Professional Development workshops and seminars provided by PRSA National

49% 44% -5

• Non-members see far less value in the product/services most important to members. • Non-members view PRSA’s Jobcenter, Code of Ethics and website as the organization’s most valuable resources – actively promoting these areas

could further drive purchase among non-members.• Local Chapter offerings, such as professional development programs and networking events, also appeal to non-members.

Q18. Please indicate how valuable the following services and products offered by PRSA are to you or please indicate if you are not aware of the service or product. (Top 3 Box) Members n=1417, Non-Members n=192

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Opportunities for Growth: Non-Members Place Less Value on Conferences and Blogs

• Non-members are less likely to view PRSA’s conferences as valuable (perhaps due to less exposure to the conferences), as well as various PRSA blogs.

• The business case for Public Relation and PRSA Committees also hold less weight among non-members.

Q18. Please indicate how valuable the following services and products offered by PRSA are to you or please indicate if you are not aware of the service or product. (Top 3 Box) Members n=1417, Non-Members n=192

Least Valued 2014 Products/Services Members Non-Members

The Silver/Bronze Anvil (national awards) 48% 46%

Annual International Conference 47% 36%

Professional Interest Section Conferences 40% 33%

Business Case for Public Relations 40% 31%

Professional Development programs provided by Districts 34% 33%

The peer-reviewed, online PR Journal 33% 31%

Mentoring program 33% 35%

PRSA blog 32% 22%

Communities such as National Committees, Task Forces, College of Fellows etc.

30% 20%

Advocacy initiative 27% 21%

Diversity Initiatives 23% 22%

Comprehension blog 22% 13%

Forums (formerly known as e-Groups) 21% 15%

Find a Firm 19% 24%

Insurance 8% 10%

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1. How familiar are respondents with the APR, and what is its perceived value?

2. What is the APR’s impact on furthering involvement in PRSA?

3. What should be required of members serving on PRSA’s Board of Directors?

Summary: Role of the APR Awareness of the APR is high – 96% among all

respondents (98% among members, 94% among lapsed and 84% among non-members).

APR is seen as a sign of personal accomplishment but not one that is necessary to professional success and advancement and as such, should be positioned this way.

The APR does not appear to be a barrier to members becoming more involved in PRSA. Less than half (44%) see it as “Very important” to serving on the board and a equal proportion (46%) think it should be a Board requirement. The most important quality for serving on the Board is prior leadership experience in PRSA, such as serving as a Chapter or Section chair.

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Familiarity with the APR

Q23. How familiar are you with the PRSA accreditation program, commonly called APR? Members n=1417, Lapsed n=174, Non-Members n=193

Non-Members

Lapsed

Members

21%

27%

61%

30%

32%

26%

21%

26%

8%

12%

8%

3%

16%

6%

2%

Know a lot Know somewhat

Know only a little Have only heard the name

Never heard of

• The majority of members, lapsed and non-members each knows at least somewhat about the APR.• The largest portion of members report have high familiarity with the APR; the largest portion of lapsed and non-

members know somewhat of the accreditation. • Not surprising, those who have never been PRSA members are least likely to have heard of the APR.

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APR Viewed as an Accomplishment, but Lacks Real-World Value/Relevance

MembersFamiliar with APR: 98%

LapsedFamiliar with APR: 94%

Non-MembersFamiliar with APR: 84%

Indicates a high level of accomplishment in PR 69% 49% 44%

Embodies the PRSA Code of Ethics 56% 36% 35%

Is relevant to me 54% 20% 25%

Is valuable to me 53% 21% 21%

Is something that should be used to screen mid-level and higher job candidates in PR

38% 15% 15%

Should be a determinant for serving on the PRSA Board

35% 12% 13%

Should be required of all top PRSA staff 28% 10% 17%

Important for academics to have 24% 14% 17%

Is not relevant to how PR is actually practiced 15% 28% 34%

Only for older PR practitioners 7% 14% 14%

Is something that should be used to screen candidates entering the field of PR

9% 6% 3%

• Members most view APR a sense of accomplishment; but less believe the certification is relevant/valuable to them.• Offering APR is found to be a significant driver of satisfaction among current members.• Lapsed and non-members are significantly less likely to think APR is relevant to them/how PR is practiced and view it as

outdated, indicating a need to grow relevance and importance of APR beyond members.

Q23. How familiar are you with the PRSA accreditation program, commonly called APR? N=1784Q24. Which of the following describe what you think of the APR certification? Members n=1392, Lapsed Members n=163, Non-Members n=163

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APR Not Viewed as a Barrier for Furthering Involvement in PRSA

Q26. Is APR certification a barrier to you becoming more involved in PRSA? Members n=1392, Lapsed n=163, Non-Members n=163Q25. Presently, APR certification is required to serve on the PRSA National Board of Directors. How important do you think this is? Members N=1392, Lapsed N=163, Non-Members N=163

Non-Members

Lapsed

Members

11%

13%

9%

53%

60%

78%

36%

26%

13%

APR Barrier to Becoming More Involved in PRSA?

Yes No Don't Know

Non-Members

Lapsed

Members

28%

25%

44%

28%

33%

33%

31%

34%

20%

13%

9%

4%

APR Important for Serving on Board of Directors?

Very important Somewhat importantNot at all important Don't Know

• While the large majority do not view APR as a barrier to involvement with PRSA, uncertainty exists among lapsed and non-members; one-fourth of lapsed and over one-third of non-members reported “I don’t know.”

• The majority of each group finds APR at least somewhat important for serving on the Board – continue to initiate growth of the APR accreditation and its value/relevance to professionals.

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Previous PRSA Leadership Most Critical Requirement of Board Membership

Have served as a PRSA Chapter or Section chair

APR certified

Employed full-time

Have Served on a Board of Directors

Have run a businessVP+ or manage

10+ people

64%

46%

42%

28%

18%

16%

• Leadership experience within PRSA is viewed as more important than having APR certification for board member requirement.

• Leadership within a(n) company/external organization appears to be less important to board membership than experience within PRSA.

Q27. Which of the following should be requirements of those PRSA board members who are not from academia? Members n=1392

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1. Which attributes of PRSA drive membership satisfaction and brand reputation among Millennials?

2. How does PRSA perform on the attributes most likely to drive satisfaction and brand reputation among Millennials?

3. Which professional development areas and products/services appeal most to Millennials?

4. What is the awareness among and perceived value of the APR among Millennials?

Summary: Differences Among Millennials

Millennials hold membership organizations to a set of ideals – expecting intangible elements like integrity, responsiveness, helpfulness and support, more so than older generations.

Millennials are less likely to place importance on a professional certification program, and potentially as a result, are less likely than older groups to say PRSA performs well in this area.

Millennials find PRSA networking events extremely valuable – using PRSA as an avenue for meeting potential employers, people in their region, in their work category, etc.

While Millennials, like older employees, express interest in educational programs on emerging practices within PR, they are more likely to look for more “traditional” guidance from PRSA, such as in pitching media, event coordination, etc.

Overall, Millennials engage with far fewer PRSA products/services than older generations.

Millennials are much less likely to say APR is relevant or valuable to them.

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Millennials Place Less Importance on Professional Certification Program

MILLENNIALS Importance Performance GAP

Quality services provided to members* 96% 61% -35

Offers good value* 94% 56% -38

Offers a professional certification program* 57% 78% +21

Committed to the satisfaction of its members* 94% 63% -31

Financial strength* 58% 53% -5

Offers a guide to ethical practices 67% 74% +7

Trustworthy 89% 72% -17

Industry leader 86% 73% -13

Innovative 85% 45% -40

Quality of management 81% 57% -24

Develops and retains well-suited members 81% 59% -22

Transparent 78% 57% -21

Loyal membership 68% 57% -11

Diversity of membership 57% 45% -12

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) 59% 45% -14

Q14. How important are the following values and attributes in a communications membership organization that you would want to join? (Top 3 Box) n=593 Q15. Please rate PRSA on the following items (Top 3 Box) n=593

• The most notable difference between Millennials and Gen X/Boomer respondents relates to PRSA offering a profession certification program.

• Millennials are less likely to place importance on a professional certification program, and also less likely to say PRSA performs well in this area, suggesting a lack of overall Millennial engagement with the APR.

*Significant predictors of satisfaction in order of contribution

Professional Certification

Program

ImportanceMillennials: 57%

Gen X: 64%Boomers: 69%

PerformanceMillennials: 78%

Gen X: 87%Boomers: 85%

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Millennials Expect PRSA to Function as a Career Stepping Stone

Most Valued 2014 Products/Services Millennials Gen X Boomers

Networking provided by local Chapters 68% 69% 66%Job center 68% 68% 60%

Professional Development programs provided by local Chapters 67% 68% 64%

www.prsa.org 66% 69% 66%Webinars 65% 68% 59%Offers preferred member pricing for Professional Development and other events

61% 66% 64%

Issues and Trends - daily e-newsletter that covers issues and trends in the profession

59% 57% 57%

Code of Ethics 58% 70% 70%

Accreditation program, commonly called APR 58% 64% 64%

The Strategist publication 50% 59% 57%The Tactics publication 49% 62% 57%

Electronic library of PRSA articles and case studies 49% 59% 58%

Member Directory 47% 52% 58%The Silver/Bronze Anvil (national awards) 47% 48% 46%In-person Professional Development workshops and seminars provided by PRSA National

46% 47% 48%

• Overall, Millennials engage far less often than older groups with PRSA’s various offerings, revealing a need to boost perceived value of various products/services to raise participation among younger groups.

• Millennials value products/services that are easily accessible and have the ability to directly impact their career, such as online resources and local events to more intangible items like the APR and Code of Ethics.

Q18. Please indicate how valuable the following services and products offered by PRSA are to you or please indicate if you are not aware of the service or product. (Top 3 Box) Millennials n=593, Gen X n=631, Boomers n=544

15

Millennials Less Likely to Value APR

MillennialsFamiliar with APR: 92%

Gen XFamiliar with APR: 92%

BoomersFamiliar with APR: 92%

Indicates a high level of accomplishment in PR 65% 64% 66%

Embodies the PRSA Code of Ethics 43% 54% 61%

Is relevant to me 39% 52% 53%

Is valuable to me 38% 50% 55%

Is something that should be used to screen mid-level and higher job candidates in PR

29% 34% 40%

Should be a determinant for serving on the PRSA Board 21% 36% 37%

Should be required of all top PRSA staff 20% 24% 32%

Important for academics to have 19% 20% 28%

Only for older PR practitioners 18% 5% 2%

Is not relevant to how PR is actually practiced 17% 19% 17%

Is something that should be used to screen candidates entering the field of PR

8% 8% 10%

• Millennials place value on the APR but do not necessarily see how it relates to them on a professional level – they view APR a sense of accomplishment, but are less likely to find it relevant/valuable to them.

• Millennials are most likely to think APR is for older professionals, indicating a need to raise the relevancy and value of real-world, modern application for the accreditation.

Q24. Which of the following describe what you think of the APR certification? Millennials n=593, Gen X n=631, Boomers n=544Q25. Presently, APR certification is required to serve on the PRSA National Board of Directors. How important do you think this is? Millennials n=593, Gen X n=631, Boomers n=544Q26. Is APR certification a barrier to you becoming more involved in PRSA? Millennials n=593, Gen X n=631, Boomers n=544

Millennials

Gen X

Boomers

10%

10%

9%

63%

78%

82%

28%

12%

9%

APR Barrier to Becoming more Involved in PRSA?

Yes No Don't Know

Millennials

Gen X

Boomers

35%

41%

48%

39%

31%

26%

19%

23%

22%

7%

4%

4%

APR Important for Serving on Board?

Very important Somewhat important

Not at all important Don't Know