Melissa Dodd, Ph.D., University of Central Florida, IPR Behavioral Insights Research Center

Engaging in controversial social-political issues continues to become more commonplace with business leaders collectively flexing their muscles in promotion and protest of issues that have included climate change, health care reform and gun control, among others. Whether intentional or not, when corporate leaders express stances toward controversial issues, their companies and brands become aligned with those views.

Corporate activism is expected to continue growing as business leaders take note of how stakeholders - governments, legislators, consumers, employees and activist groups - respond. As legislators bend to the weight of corporate demands toward social-political issues and the public intensifies their expectations of corporate responsibility to society, the pressure to engage or become obsolete may be greater than ever. Read more.
The worldwide PR agency business will grow from its current estimated size of $14 billion to $19.3 billion over the next five years, according to USC Annenberg's Global Communication Report.  Industry leaders, believe future growth will be driven by content creation and social media, as well as more traditional activities such as brand reputation, followed by measurement and evaluation.

The Global Communications Report is conducted by USC Annenberg's Center for Public Relations, - in conjunction with the Institute for Public Relations, the Holmes Report, the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management, the International Association for Measurement and Evaluation of Communication, the PR Council, the Worldcom PR Group and PRSA. Read more.
Fortune Senior Editor-at-Large will Deliver IPR 55th Distinguished Lecture 
Geoff Colvin, Senior Editor-at-Large of Fortune, will deliver IPR's 55th Distinguished Lecture on November 30 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City. Colvin is an award-winning thinker, author, broadcaster, and speaker on the most significant trends and issues impacting business and the economy.

Celebrating its 60th anniversary, IPR hosts this dinner to honor a tradition that dates back to 1961 to help raise money for research that matters to the profession. Tables of 10 can be purchased for $5,000 and premium tables of 10 are available for purchase at $10,000. Tickets are available for individual purchase at $500. The price includes a networking cocktail reception, the awards ceremony, dinner, and the lecture. Read more.  
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