GLG Communications Kicks off World PR Day Activities, Set to Unveil 2023 PR Power List

…Adekunle, Glova, Sipe, others share global insights at GLG Communications’ Virtual Conversation

As part of activities to mark the 2023 World PR Day, one of Nigeria’s leading Public Relations firms, GLG Communications, has hosted a ‘Virtual Conversation’ tagged: ‘Global Insights: Harnessing the Power of Public Relations’.

And in line with this year’s World PR Day theme, the virtual conversation brought together leading voices in the global PR and communications industry, to set the tone for this year’s celebration.

The virtual conference, anchored by the Head of Marketing and Communications at I&M Bank Rwanda, Fiona Kamikazi, had notable speakers and industry leaders from across Africa, Europe, and America.

These speakers and leaders included the Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Ecobank Nigeria, Jide Sipe; the Chief Executive Officer, Muck Rack, Gregory Galant; Founder and Chief Executive Officer of BHM Holdings, Ayeni Adekunle; CEO at Co-Communications and TEDx Speaker, Stacey Ross Cohen; CEO United Kingdom/EMEA at Brand Advance Group, Deborah Gbadamosi; Tech Reporter at WRAL and Founder of Reify Media, Dr. Sarah Glova; Group CEO, AvianWE, Nitin Mantri; President, World Communications Forum Association, Maxim Behar; and Executive Chairman, The Holding Opinion and Public (THOP) (Côte d’Ivoire), Kwame Senou.

In her keynote remarks, the Managing Partner, GLG Communications, Omawumi Ogbe, noted that while the PR industry would continue to shape and inspire businesses and governance, it must also adapt to change.

According to her, “The Role of Public Relations in the larger society is now more prominent and accepting wider recognition. It’s also a clarion call for us to continue to adapt to the changing times and the reality of the world as it is.”

The speakers underscored the need for PR professionals to embrace and leverage technology for improved service delivery in this modern age.

On his pwn, BHM Holdings Founder and CEO, Ayeni Adekunle, said: “As a PR practitioner, what sets you apart from your counterpart is how you are able to innovate. We need to be able to add technology to the training that we have.”

Similarly, the Group CEO at AvianWE and past President of ICCO and PRCAI, Nitin Mantri, noted that: “As a PR practitioner, you need to keep getting knowledge. We need to be at the forefront of technology.”

While agreeing with the other speakers, Muck Rack CEO, Gregory Galant, said: “To be a really great PR professional, it’s important to learn how to use these AI tools and leverage them to increase growth.”

However, Tech Reporter at WRAL and Founder of Reify Media, Dr. Sarah Glova, implored communication experts to exercise caution as they adopt AI tools to avoid losing touch with their audience, adding that: “Because it’s easier for us to write with AI, sometimes we skip the steps that connect us with our audience.”

Emphasising the importance of building trust in the industry, the President of the World Communications Forum Association, Maxim Behar, noted that: “We don’t sell services to the client. We don’t sell services to the media. We don’t sell anything to anybody. What we sell as PR practitioners is ‘Trust’.”

In the same vein, the CEO/President of Co-Communications, Author, and TEDx Speaker, Stacey Ross Cohen, said: “The most valuable media is the one you can’t buy. As practitioners, we have to be mindful to add value not clutter.”

Meanwhile, the Executive Chairman THOP (Côte d’Ivoire), Kwame Senou, added that PR practitioners can “lead the discussion in a world of distrust if they recognise their power in access, speed and strategy thinking.”

GLG Communications’ 2023 World PR Day roster will conclude in Lagos today July 14, 2023, with a cocktail reception and fireside chat where guests expected include PR and communications professionals and business leaders.

The doyen of PR in Africa and Group Managing Director, CMC Connect, Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, alongside Founder and Managing Director of Black At Cannes, Peter Ukhurebor, will deliver the keynote address in conversation with the Head of Africa Regions Corporate Communications Marketing and Corporate at Standard Bank Group, Nkiru Olumide-Ojo.

It was also learnt that at the event, GLG Communications, in partnership with The Guardian Nigeria, will unveil the much-anticipated PR Power List – the definitive annual list that recognises and celebrates the top 50 PR and communication professionals in Nigeria.

Published exclusively by The Guardian, the 2023 PR Power List will feature some returning honorees from last year and new entrants who have distinguished themselves in the last 12 months.

Speaking on this year’s PR Power List, Ogbe noted that the list goes all out to recognise PR professionals who are usually behind the scenes “making magic happen for clients and so often forget to celebrate themselves.

“With The PR Power List, our goal is to shine a spotlight on the tireless efforts of these often overlooked professionals and highlight their vital contributions to the business landscape and the community at large.

“The PR Power List is also a call to action on our important role as PR professionals, reminding us not to relent in delivering our best for our clients, our industry and the greater good. At GLG Communications, we will continue to root for individuals who have uplifted the PR Industry through achievements by way of innovation and outstanding work.”

Also speaking on the list, the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of The Guardian Nigeria, Mr. Martins Oloja, said the newspaper is proud to continue celebrating the efforts and achievements of practitioners in the PR and communications industry in Nigeria.