Finding My Place in PR After Journalism

Early in my Introduction to Public Relations course, I was taught that nothing said to a journalist is off the record. This statement conflicted with my experience writing for newspapers. My journalism professors and editors commanded that “off the record” is a magical eraser. Nothing related to the topic they referenced could be included in the final article.  

This disconnect was the first I spotted between journalism and PR. My career mentor recommended that I investigate PR as a career path because I’m good at writing and staying calm under pressure. At the time, my understanding of PR was limited to public apologies and stunts. Since finding opportunities to write feature stories as a transfer student was tricky, I decided to consider PR. I’ve realized that journalism and PR are not opposites, but they are different. 

How PR and Journalism Differ 

PR is client-driven, and journalism is driven by public interest. News publications act as watchdogs, providing accurate depictions of situations with data and interviews. Skilled PR practitioners shape public opinion with data.  

Though PR practitioners act as internal spokespeople for the public, the execution of their campaigns is monitored and limited by a client. As a public service, journalism is protected by the First Amendment. Restricting journalism through corporate or government action is unethical and illegal. 

PR practitioners are chameleons. They study their clients and speak in their voices. PR practitioners promote purposefully. The best campaigns influence public opinion by building trust.  

As a journalist, I was taught to write without bias. Journalists may start conversations, but PR practitioners guide them. Traditionally, journalists observe and report facts. In conversations with PR practitioners and professors, I’ve learned the value of strategic messaging. 

The Skills That Carry Over 

In my PR coursework, I expanded my perception of research to include media monitoring and social listening. I used these methods to write articles, but I didn’t know they had a name. Without evidence-based research, both professions lose credibility. Trust is tricky to repair once broken.  

Interviews, events, and viral social media videos could inspire a story. Staying watchful and open-minded prepares journalists and PR practitioners to take advantage of opportunities. If both occupations succeed in communicating value to their public (a.k.a. “newsworthiness”), then audiences will return to hear more. Both industries follow AP style to ensure consistency during collaboration. Both occupations adhere to tight deadlines and keep their composure during crises.  

Diversity of thought matters. Campaigns fall flat when diverse groups are excluded from the process. Articles lose credibility if only one voice is elevated. Though data remains supreme in both, people’s voices shine through and make stories emotionally resonant.  

Bridging the Gap 

As a journalist, I was taught to use my curiosity and cynicism to search for truth. In PR, I use my skills to anticipate audience perception and prepare a response. I’ve learned that communicating value at every touchpoint, or with every article, cultivates long-term relationships. The publications and campaigns that survive fulfill their audience’s desire for authenticity and truth. 

PR and journalism are interconnected. Both are driven by ethics and research. I’m still learning the differences and how I can adapt. PRSSA has been a great resource to fill in the gaps. I’m looking forward to what else this industry has to teach me. 

About the Author 

Brianna Mack transferred to Temple University after her former school, Cabrini University, closed. While at Cabrini, she wrote for the student-run newspaper and programmed the campus radio station. She earned a Keystone Media Award and a Pinnacle College Media Award for her first album review. She studies Audio and Live Entertainment at Temple and is on staff at WHIP Radio. Brianna joined PRSSA in the Fall 2025 semester and will graduate in May 2026. 

Mic Drop Takeaways: Lessons from Entertainment PR Professionals

This past weekend, Temple PRSSA hosted the 2026 PRSSA Mid- Atlantic District Conference Mic Drop: PR in Entertainment, uniting students and professionals for a deep dive into entertainment public relations. A clear message echoed throughout: success in entertainment PR requires consistency, confidence and genuine connections. 

Here are some of my biggest takeaways from three standout sessions: 

PRSSA to PRSA: Building Your Career Beyond College

This session covered the transition from PRSSA to PRSA and professional growth after graduation. The discussion centered on networking and staying engaged after college, which is very relevant for us seniors.

The panel encouraged attending PRSA events, joining the New Pros program, and seeking informal learning opportunities, such as brunch-and-learns, to stay connected and keep learning.

Melina O’Neal shared a piece of advice that stuck with me:

“Don’t underestimate your chances.”

This mindset is crucial for job applications and life after graduation. The panel also stressed staying visible on LinkedIn, at events and through your portfolio.

Even without a full-time role, there are still ways to grow:

• Start a blog

• Practice graphic design

• Create content consistently

Hector Nuñez reinforced the importance of being intentional with your growth:

“Not everyone is your target audience…become your own dream job.”

Ultimately, this session underscored that growth requires daily, active effort.

Inside Live Nation: Understanding the Fan First

In this session, Vincent Angiolillo of Live Nation offered an inside look at the fast-paced, strategic world of entertainment marketing.

Staying ahead of trends is vital, but true entertainment PR success centers on understanding and connecting with fans.

Know how fans engage, what motivates them and how they shape the community, and the fan connection will drive success.

• Being in the environment

• Understanding the “language” of the audience

Without immersion in the space, you risk missing insights that could shape campaigns.

At the end of the day, one goal stands above everything else:

The ultimate goal is to engage audiences, sell tickets, fill the room and to refine strategies by measuring what works.

Philly PR Girl: Betting on Yourself

In this session, Kate Marlys Rodgers, founder of Philly PR Girl, discussed building her agency and what it takes to succeed as a PR entrepreneur.

Her story highlighted the reality of taking risks:

She left a stable job to build her own business, navigating challenges and building confidence. She shared that building a business requires risk-taking, persistence and self-advocacy.

• Understand that success takes time.

One quote that perfectly captured her mindset:

“Philly-based, not bound.”

Kate emphasized that personal branding matters just as much as client work. Professional visibility is essential in integrated PR and influencer marketing.

Another core takeaway:

It calls for consistency, creativity and genuine passion.

Final Thoughts

Across all three sessions, a few themes stood out:

• Put yourself out there and build connections

• Stay consistent in developing your skills

• Be confident in your value and your path

Mic Drop wasn’t just about learning; it was about gaining clarity. Mic Drop provided not only learning experiences, but also clarity on key ingredients of success in entertainment PR, as a reminder that growth is ongoing, opportunities are everywhere and the future of PR is what we make of it.  

Written by: Emma Sexauer, Director of Digital Communications. Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn!

Beyond the Feed: Why Visual Storytelling is the New PR Strategy

While studying PR and communications, I spend a lot of time talking about the “message” of a brand. In my studies, we focus on how to reach audiences, build brand awareness and manage public image. But when I look at some of my favorite brands, I see that the most powerful messages aren’t written–they’re seen. Anyone can create a graphic that they think looks “cool” or is visually appealing, but when you create content through a PR and communications lens, you can convey that message in a much more effective way with far more impact on an audience.

As a first-year communications major, I am working towards my future career goals while incorporating my passion for the fashion industry. I’ve noticed that the most effective way to progress is to combine my creative side with my knowledge of strategic communication, and apply it to every project I work on. Whether I am writing editorial pieces for Temple’s Fashion & Business (F&B) organization or creating content for our social media, I rely on my communications background to ensure every piece aligns with our organization’s brand voice. This perspective allows me to truly convey the exact image F&B is trying to portray. 

My experience ranges from my position in F&B, creating content for small boutique fashion shows with Julia at ShopElla Boutique and managing client apparel orders at Fresh Prints. These roles have taught me that visual storytelling is the fundamental piece of a brand’s overall personality. I have become good at connecting a company's goals with how the public perceives them. Whether I am creating a simple graphic or an inspo board for a client’s design, I use my knowledge to ensure that every visual tells a story or reflects the vision. 

What Exactly Is Visual Storytelling?

Visual storytelling in communications is an art. Using images, graphics, colors and layouts, you can tell a story and share a message without relying solely on words. For example, there’s a difference between reading something and seeing a visual of it. Our brains process pictures more quickly than they do sentences or paragraphs. Like when someone says, “Let me paint the picture for you,” they’re making you visualize the idea so you can better understand what they are trying to say. This is why it is so important for a company or brand to act like a designer because that’s how they can captivate their audience. 

To apply visual storytelling to creating content, you need to start by establishing exactly what you want the viewer’s experience to be when they look at your brand. You don’t need a single logo or image that represents it as a whole, but you need to make sure all your creative elements come together in an aesthetically pleasing way. The fonts should work well with the colors, and the colors should work well with the images. That way, when it all comes together, it looks intentional and strategic. 

Effective Communication While Managing Client Orders 

Visual storytelling is only one half of the task. The steps you take before you even begin creating a visual are just as important. As a Campus Manager at Fresh Prints, I have learned that true communication happens when I act as the bridge between client needs and the final product. This role isn’t just about design–it’s about the communications side. When I sit down with a client, I prioritize active listening and put myself in their shoes. I take their apparel ideas, understand their specific organization’s identity and turn those thoughts into a real design. I ask them questions like, “Why do these colors align with your organization?” and “What vibe do you want to give off?” When I’m working with a sorority or fraternity, I’m going to design merchandise that encapsulates their chapter. This whole process is really just a strategy plan. I identify what the client wants to represent and say to the world and manage the whole order through production. As the main point of contact as a campus manager, I make sure the “message” doesn’t get lost from the first conversation to the final shirt. 

The Blueprint of Creating Visual Content

To make it simple, the strategic communication plan is the priority. Just as a writer chooses their words to build an argument, I use color and composition to build the narrative. In my work with creating social media content for F&B, I’ve learned not to just pick colors that look nice. A specific color palette can act as an immediate attention-grabber for an audience. Whether I am using high-contrast tones for one post and vibrant, lively palettes for another, I am strategically setting the “mood” of F&B. 

Having a brand kit is the number one thing I establish before starting a creative project. A brand kit is meant for the creator to reference when choosing the right typography, imagery and all the design assets needed for creation. This means having a solid collection of fonts, colors and photos to serve as an outline. That way, the posts will be versatile while still remaining consistent. 

A company’s visual style or “look” is very important because it acts as a hook, just like a paper you would write in school. It’s what their audience sees first. If a brand says it's modern, but its feed posts and photos look cluttered or inconsistent, the audience won’t trust the message. The visuals have to match the story, or the entire narrative falls apart. For example, when I created Instagram content for Julia Chiango, the owner of ShopElla Boutique, I didn’t just pick “pretty” photos to include in the posts. The goal was for me to highlight her collection release for the holiday fashion show. Not only did I focus on the lighting, mood and overall vibe of her company, but I also made it clear to her viewers that this was a festive holiday clothing release. Every choice was centered on communication to preview the new collection while still making it clear to her audience exactly what her brand values are.

The Bottom Line

What ties all of these experiences together is my “communications lens.” Whether I’m translating a client’s idea into a design or creating a visual for a social media post, I’m applying the same PR principles: identifying the audience, crafting the “message” and choosing the best way to show it visually. By combining what I learn from my studies and my passion for fashion, I’m learning how to make a brand stand out by really highlighting the power of visual storytelling. 

About the author

My name is Ella Henry-Schaeffer, and I am a communications student in the second semester of my first year here at Temple University. As a member of the PRSSA Digital Communications Committee, Fashion & Business Editorial Committee, and Fashion & Business Social Media Committee, I create written and visual content for the blog and social media pages. I specialize in merging fashion journalism with creative visuals. I’m driven by my love of fashion, writing, and sharing my ideas with the world, specifically in editorial design and the aesthetics of print magazines. I also have experience in backstage and front-of-house production from small fashion shows to large ones like New York Fashion Week. I am excited to see where my passions lead me in the future and thrilled to produce more blog posts for Temple PRSSA!