I earned my APR (Accreditation in Public Relations) on July 3rd, 2019.
Talk about Independence Day. July 4th, 2019 was the first morning in almost a year where I didn’t crawl out of bed in the 5s to hit the books and prep for my panel presentation and 4-hour exam.
How do you get an APR? For me, it was the culmination of more than a year’s studying and hard work. I had to first convince an APR panel that my work and experience met the standard of an advanced PR practitioner. The panel judged me on a presentation of a complete PR plan I wrote and deployed largely by myself, which included the 2017 PRSA Colorado Gold Pick Award-winning entry Hirakata Farms Rocky Ford Cantaloupe Gose beer.
Once the panel decided I had what it takes to earn my APR credential, the real work began: reading and studying a bookshelf full of PR industry texts, taking practice tests online and preparing for the 4-hour computer exam. Finding out that I passed on the first try was an incredible moment of joy and relief. That’s all fine and good for me, but what does my APR credential mean for the clients I work with?
Why hire an APR for your project?
For M&C’s clients, it means you’re working with industry leaders committed to the highest standards, ethics, and practice of the craft.
The Public Relations Society of America says the APR designation:
Asserts professional competence
Communicates professional expertise, plus personal and professional dedication and values
Reflects progressive public relations industry practices and high standards
And by the way, when we say M&C is a small but mighty team of PR pros, we mean it: president Diane Mulligan has held her APR since 2015. She encouraged and mentored me to pursue my own APR. As the Public Relations Society of America points out, #ItTakesAPRo to earn those three little initials behind our names.
I am so proud of the work we do for our clients, especially knowing that our background as journalists and television producers is sharpened with the highest standards of professionalism expected in public relations. We can demonstrate to clients that we’re putting their business goals first, we’re measuring ROI on our work, and we’re leaders in the public relations industry through our commitment to getting and maintaining our APR credentials.
Why should you feel good about hiring public relations professionals with the APR designation? When you see those initials, you know you’re working with #aPRo.
M&C Communications specializes in CBD public relations, crisis communications and media training. Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter for the very latest on public relations and communications.