Public Relations Society of America

The Public Relations Society of America, commonly known as PRSA, is a U.S.-based professional society and trade association for people working in public relations, strategic communication, corporate communication, public affairs, media relations, marketing communication, and related fields. Organized as a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit organization, it combines professional development, accreditation, ethics guidance, awards, research, advocacy, publications, and local networking. PRSA was established in 1947 through the merger of the American Council on Public Relations and the National Association of Public Relations Councils. The new organization held its first annual conference and awards ceremony that year in Philadelphia. Richard Falk received the society's first annual citation for advancing the public relations field. In its early years, PRSA sought to give a rapidly developing occupation a more coherent professional identity and a shared framework for conduct. Ethics became a central part of that mission. The society introduced an early code of professional standards in the late 1940s, and the code was subsequently revised several times, including in 1954, 1959, 1963, 1977, 1983, 1988, and 2000. The 1962 creation of a Grievance Board gave PRSA an enforcement mechanism for its then-existing standards. The substantially revised 2000 code shifted emphasis toward education and voluntary professional commitment rather than the earlier enforcement model. Members are expected to affirm the code annually, while the organization retains authority to discipline or revoke membership in specified circumstances. The association expanded its professional infrastructure through a 1961 merger with the American Public Relations Association and the launch of an accreditation program in 1962. PRSA participates in the Universal Accreditation Board, whose APR credential assesses competence in research, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Accreditation is separate from membership, and the society has historically used accreditation in parts of its governance structure. PRSA also built a student network: the Public Relations Student Society of America was created in the late 1960s and developed into a large network of student chapters connected to colleges and universities. PRSA's membership and leadership evolved alongside the public relations profession. During the 1970s and early 1980s, women became a much larger share of the membership and student organization, and PRSA elected its first female national president in 1972. The association reported approximately 9,000 members in 1981, compared with about 4,500 in 1960. Its current structure includes national governance, local chapters, student chapters, districts, and specialized interest groups, although exact counts and membership totals can change over time. The society's best-known awards are the Anvil Awards. The Gold Anvil recognizes individual achievement, while Silver and Bronze Anvils recognize strategic and tactical communication work. PRSA also offers other honors, educational programming, career resources, publications, conferences, and professional communities. Its former Public Relations Journal ran from 1945 to 1995, and the association publishes Strategies & Tactics for communication professionals. PRSA has also played an advocacy and standard-setting role. It has commissioned or supported research on public relations education, promoted stronger practical preparation for communication careers, and argued that public relations can support informed public discussion through accurate and open communication. Its definition of public relations was revised through a 2011 crowdsourced initiative, resulting in a formulation centered on strategic communication and mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their publics. The organization has faced criticism and disputes concerning competition rules, governance, financial transparency, membership dues, medi…

PRSA emerged in 1947 from the consolidation of the American Council on Public Relations and the National Association of Public Relations Councils. Its inaugural annual conference in Philadelphia combined professional discussion with recognition of achievement, establishing a pattern that would remain important to the organization: PRSA would serve both as a membership association and as an institution seeking to define the public relations profession. The society quickly made ethics and professional standards central to its identity. It published an early code of conduct and introduced the Anvil awards in the late 1940s. The code was ratified in 1959, and a Grievance Board created in 1962 supplied a formal enforcement process. The code underwent revisions in 1954, 1959, 1963, 1977, 1983, 1988, and 2000. The 2000 revision placed greater emphasis on education and voluntary adherence, although membership still requires an annual commitment to the code and the board can take action in defined cases involving serious misconduct. Organizational expansion followed. PRSA merged with the American Public Relations Association in 1961 and began an accreditation program the following year. The accreditation system later became associated with the APR credential and the Universal Accreditation Board. APR assessment is organized around research, planning, implementation, and evaluation, reflecting PRSA's effort to frame public relations as a disciplined strategic practice rather than merely publicity or media relations. Student and educational activities became another major pillar. The Public Relations Student Society of America was established in the late 1960s after suggestions associated with Walter Seifer of Ohio State University. The student society connected PRSA with universities and helped create an entry route into the profession. PRSA-sponsored and commissioned studies during the 1970s and 1980s examined the preparation of public relations educators and practitioners, with recommendations concerning practical experience, postgraduate education, and coursework outside the communications major. Later initiatives included a professional career guide and advocacy for stronger communications content in business education. The membership profile changed substantially in the 1970s and early 1980s as women entered public relations in larger numbers. PRSA elected its first female president in 1972 and a second in 1983. The society reported growth from approximately 4,500 members in 1960 to roughly 9,000 in 1981, while women represented a particularly large share of the student organization by the early 1980s. PRSA's professional authority was challenged as well as strengthened during this period. In 1977, the Federal Trade Commission issued a consent order concerning code provisions that were considered anticompetitive or discriminatory, including language discouraging members from soliciting one another's clients and provisions related to pricing. In 1986, national president Anthony Franco resigned after being accused by the SEC of insider trading. These episodes highlighted the difficulty of maintaining a credible professional code while operating a voluntary membership association. The association established the PRSA Foundation in 1990 to support philanthropic and educational work. In the 1990s, PRSA also became involved in a long-running dispute with O'Dwyer's, a public relations trade publication. The dispute included allegations concerning the lending of copyrighted articles, along with later disagreements about transparency, audits, spending, dues increases, media access, and the conduct of O'Dwyer's representatives. PRSA argued that higher dues were connected to expanded member services; critics questioned the organization's financial governance and openness. In 2000, PRSA and the Institute for Public Relations issued a mutual declaration to cooperate on ethics, education, accreditation, professional development, and new media. The organization attempted to revisit the definition of public relations in 2003 and 2007, but those efforts did not produce an adopted definition. A more expansive process began in 2011, when PRSA solicited hundreds of public submissions. The selected definition described public relations as a strategic communication process that builds mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their publics. The result was debated by practitioners and commentators, including the Chartered Institute of Public Relations. Governance has periodically been contested. For many years, accreditation influenced eligibility for certain national leadership roles. A 2003 proposal to permit non-accredited professionals to seek PRSA office failed, while a similar change passed in 2004 for some positions; accreditation restrictions for national board service remained a subject of debate. In 2010, Richard Edelman and the Committee for a Democratic PRSA unsuccessfully sought to remove remaining restrictions. PRSA also objected in 2011 to the Redner Group's reported threat to blacklist media outlets that gave negative reviews to Duke Nukem Forever, treating the incident as inconsistent with professional ethical principles. Today PRSA operates through national governance, local chapters, student chapters, districts, and interest groups. Its activities include APR accreditation, the Anvil awards, conferences, continuing education, publications, career resources, ethics advisories, research, and advocacy. The society continues to present public relations as a profession whose legitimacy depends on accurate information, disclosure, accountability, informed decision-making, and public trust.

1. 2011Crowdsourced definition initiative

   PRSA conducts a public definition exercise and adopts a formulation centered on strategic communication and mutually beneficial relationships.

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2. 2000Code of Ethics is substantially revised

   PRSA revises its ethics code, moving its emphasis toward education and professional commitment while retaining expectations concerning accuracy, disclosure, competition, conflicts, and public trust.

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3. 1990PRSA Foundation is established

   The society creates a philanthropic foundation supporting education and related work in public relations.

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4. 1982First formal PRSA definition of public relations

   PRSA defines public relations as helping an organization and its publics adapt mutually to one another.

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5. 1977FTC consent order

   The Federal Trade Commission requires changes to portions of PRSA's conduct rules involving competition, solicitation, pricing, and discriminatory language.

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6. 1972First female PRSA president

   PRSA elects its first female national president during a period of increasing female participation in public relations.

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7. 1967Student society is created

   The Public Relations Student Society of America is formed to connect students with the profession and PRSA.

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8. 1962Accreditation program begins

   PRSA launches a professional accreditation program, later associated with the APR credential.

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9. 1961Merger with the American Public Relations Association

   PRSA expands its institutional base through a merger with the American Public Relations Association.

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10. 1950Early professional standards and Anvil awards

    PRSA develops an early professional code and begins the Anvil awards program, linking professional recognition with standards-setting.

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11. 1947PRSA is established

    The American Council on Public Relations and the National Association of Public Relations Councils merge to form PRSA. The organization holds its first annual conference and awards ceremony.

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PRSA positions itself as a professional home and institutional voice for the U.S. public relations and strategic communications community. Its value proposition combines credentialing, ethics, education, recognition, networking, research, and advocacy rather than the delivery of client-facing public relations campaigns.

• APR accreditationProfessional credential1962

  The Accreditation in Public Relations program evaluates practitioners across research, planning, implementation, and evaluation. It is administered through the Universal Accreditation Board in cooperation with participating professional organizations. Candidates generally complete an application and examination process designed to assess professional judgment and applied communication competence. APR is a voluntary credential and is distinct from ordinary PRSA membership.

• Anvil AwardsProfessional awards1950

  The Anvil Awards recognize achievement in public relations and strategic communication. The program distinguishes different kinds of work, including individual accomplishment through the Gold Anvil and strategic and tactical communication through Silver and Bronze Anvil categories. Additional PRSA honors include career, emerging-practitioner, lifetime-achievement, and public-relations-person awards.

• PRSA Code of EthicsProfessional standards1950

  PRSA's ethics code sets expectations for members in areas such as truthful and accurate communication, disclosure, competition, safeguarding confidences, conflicts of interest, free flow of information, and strengthening trust in the profession. Its stated values include advocacy, honesty, expertise, independence, loyalty, and fairness. The Board of Ethics and Professional Standards supplements the code with ethical standards advisories on emerging issues.

• Strategies & TacticsProfessional publication

  Strategies & Tactics is PRSA's publication for communications professionals. It provides professional news, practice-oriented material, career information, and commentary relevant to public relations and strategic communication. It succeeded the Public Relations Journal as a principal PRSA publication for practitioners.

• Public Relations Student Society of AmericaStudent professional network1967

  PRSSA is PRSA's student-focused organization. It provides students with opportunities for professional education, networking, leadership development, chapter activities, awards, and exposure to public relations careers. Its university-based structure creates a pipeline between communication education and professional practice.

• 2011Public Relations Defined

  United States · International professional community

  PRSA invited practitioners, educators, students, and members of the public to submit language completing a structured description of what public relations does, for whom, and for what purpose. The initiative sought a contemporary definition broad enough to encompass strategic communication and relationship management.

  Outcome. A definition describing public relations as a strategic communication process that builds mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their publics was selected. Reactions from the wider professional community were mixed and debated.

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• 2026Announced apolitical stanceStrategy

  The referenced account describes internal and external sensitivity around professional associations taking positions on ideological or political debates unrelated to communication practice.

  What changed. PRSA reportedly told members that it would take an apolitical stance and avoid positions on ideological debates unrelated to communication practice.

  Aftermath. Some members reportedly reacted negatively, indicating continued debate over the boundary between professional advocacy and political neutrality.

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• 2011Public definition process for public relationsStrategy

  Earlier attempts in 2003 and 2007 to update PRSA's definition of public relations did not advance to an adopted result. The profession was also adapting to strategic communication, digital media, and relationship-oriented practice.

  What changed. PRSA opened a crowdsourced process asking participants to describe what public relations does, with whom, and for what purpose.

  Aftermath. The selected definition emphasized strategic communication and mutually beneficial relationships. It attracted both support and criticism from practitioners and professional bodies.

  • Chartered Institute of Public Relations — The professional body reported that reactions to PRSA's new definition were mixed and vigorously debated.
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• 2011Objection to the Redner Group media-blacklist threatOther

  The Redner Group reportedly threatened to blacklist media outlets that published negative reviews of Duke Nukem Forever.

  What changed. PRSA publicly objected to the conduct as inconsistent with professional public relations ethics and the principle of open, fair communication.

  Aftermath. The episode became an example in discussions about ethical media relations and the responsibilities of public relations firms.

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• 2004Governance eligibility rules are partially broadenedStrategy

  PRSA had historically restricted some national governance roles to members holding APR accreditation, prompting debate over representation and professional qualification.

  What changed. The requirement for accreditation to participate in the national assembly was dropped, while accreditation requirements for certain board positions remained.

  Aftermath. The relationship between accreditation and democratic participation continued to generate internal debate, including a 2010 campaign to remove remaining restrictions.

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• 2000Reorientation of the Code of EthicsStrategy

  PRSA had maintained a professional conduct system that included formal enforcement. Changing expectations about professional self-regulation and the role of a voluntary membership organization led to a substantial review.

  What changed. PRSA revised its code to emphasize education and member commitment while retaining principles concerning truthfulness, disclosure, conflicts, competition, confidentiality, and public trust.

  Aftermath. The code became the central ethical reference for members, supplemented by ethical standards advisories issued by the Board of Ethics and Professional Standards.

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• 2011Conflict with O'Dwyer's over conference accessControversy

  PRSA publicized allegations that O'Dwyer had listened to or monitored conference calls and later denied access to its events. O'Dwyer's and PRSA disputed the characterization of the conduct, while the National Press Club attempted unsuccessfully to mediate access.

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• 2011Governance and dues transparency criticismControversy

  O'Dwyer's criticized PRSA in connection with membership-fee increases, financial transparency, auditing, and spending. PRSA responded that higher dues reflected expanded services to members.

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• 1994Copyright dispute involving O'Dwyer'sControversy

  O'Dwyer's alleged that PRSA violated copyright law by lending articles from several news and trade publications to members. The episode became part of a broader, long-running dispute involving the two organizations.

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• 1986Resignation of Anthony Franco after SEC accusationControversy

  PRSA president Anthony Franco resigned after reports that the SEC had accused him of insider trading. The episode raised questions about leadership conduct and the credibility of a professional organization centered on ethics.

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• 1977Federal Trade Commission challenge to PRSA conduct rulesControversy

  The FTC determined that parts of PRSA's code could inhibit fair competition, including provisions discouraging members from soliciting one another's clients and language connected to pricing and discrimination. A consent order required PRSA to remove or amend the disputed provisions.

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• 2026PRSA announces an apolitical stance

  According to the referenced account, PRSA told members it would avoid taking positions on ideological debates unrelated to communication practice. Some members reportedly reacted negatively.

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• 2012PRSA criticizes investigation of federal communications spending

  PRSA opposed a Senate subcommittee investigation into communications and advertising spending by eleven government agencies, arguing that the review undervalued the role of public relations in government.

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• 2011PRSA launches a public process to redefine public relations

  PRSA invited public submissions to complete a structured definition of public relations. The selected formulation described public relations as a strategic communication process that builds mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their publics.

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• 1947PRSA is formed through the merger of two public relations organizations

  The American Council on Public Relations and the National Association of Public Relations Councils combined to create PRSA. The society held its first annual conference and awards ceremony in the same year.

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1. Public Relations Society of America
2. Public Relations Society of America official website