It Takes a Pro: Celebrating Accreditation in Public Relations

When it comes to professional development, the team at Poston Communications sets the bar high.

Last month, Poston Communications shared crisis communications strategies with the Legal Marketing Association, and we also shared our insights on leadership with ADEPT Leadership. Many of our team members also serve in leadership roles for various public relations, legal and other professional associations and community organizations. We believe that our commitment to continuous improvement puts us at the forefront of the industries we serve.

It is also why we join the public relations industry in celebrating April as Accreditation in Public Relations Month. APR is a mark of distinction for practitioners who have demonstrated an understanding and commitment to a Code of Ethics and the ability to think and plan at the strategic level.

In 2012, I became accredited and consider my experience earning the credential to be one of the most rewarding in my career. Account Supervisor Kali Hammond is also pursuing accreditation and will complete final testing later this year. APR candidates are required to demonstrate their knowledge, expertise and commitment to ethical practices, sound judgement, strategic perspective, best practices and the use of the research-planning-implementation-evaluation process. It is a rigorous process in which candidates must first successfully present their knowledge to a panel of three accredited peers. The review panel is followed by a comprehensive, computer-based examination to test candidates’ practical knowledge and decision-making abilities.

In Florida, after 10 years of qualified work experience, an accredited professional also may become a Certified Public Relations Counselor. Like the APR, candidates for certification are required to complete a two-step process including a presentation to three counselors in which the practitioner has less than one week to develop and present a strategic recommendation in response to a fictitious public relations challenge. Candidates then take a 14-question written examination based on real-life communications case studies. Successful completion of the examination process provides access to the Florida Public Relations Associations’ Counselors Network, an elite group of industry leaders who share best practices and insights across a variety of industries statewide.

So, what does all this mean for our clients and team? Not only are Poston Communications team members taking leading roles in our industry and communities, but they are proven to deliver innovative and strategic results.

Want to learn more about working with us? Explore our credentials or contact us to share our expertise with your organization.

Megan Paquin is vice president at Poston Communications, based in Orlando.