CIPR think tank publishes new guidance on Energy PR
The CIPR's Energy Leadership Platform (ELP) has published An Introduction to Energy PR (PDF) to educate and inspire PR and communication practitioners across the world to pursue a career in Energy PR.
The new 8-page guide provides an overview of the energy communications landscape and shares insight on how PR professionals develop trust and influence strategy to deliver results for their clients and organisations.
The guide calls on PR academics and educators to encourage aspiring practitioners to consider a career in energy PR.
The energy sector is at a significant crossroad – the demand for cleaner, cheaper energy is considered a given in the developed economies while in the less fortunate regions of the world a lightbulb is considered a luxury. The clothes we wear, the food we eat, the water we consume and the transport we use are all possible because of energy: nuclear, wind, solar, oil, electricity and gas. While there are many commonalities among the energy types and consumption patterns across the world, there are very few common elements in how the consumers, governments and energy companies communicate and engage with one another.
'An Introduction to Energy PR' marks the beginning of our journey to demonstrate the value of Public Relations as a strategic management function in the Energy sector, and the significant benefits strategic communicators can bring to build bridges across the complex energy stakeholder profile.
One of the great attractions of energy PR is also one of its major challenges; is it's never just about one thing. Whether the core issue to consider is pricing, access to energy, environmental, corporate or (geo)political; one always has to consider the wider dynamic and how one issue will effect the other.
This is one of many reasons we believe communications across the energy value chain to be part of the strategic management function; the constant interaction of issues and communities creates multiple simultaneous risks and opportunities - some of which will be existential. The effective management of these interconnected issues demands specialist understanding and constant learning, whether you're just starting out on your career or you're a Director of Communications.
The guidance is the first in a series of initiatives planned by the CIPR's ELP since its inception earlier this year. This includes sponsorship of the Public Engagement category at the Energy Institute Awards on 22 November.
About the Energy Leadership Platform (ELP)
The Energy Leadership Platform is a think tank for senior communications professionals working across the energy industries. Led by co-chairs Ella Minty Found.Chart.PR MCIPR and Paddy Blewer MCIPR, the ELP engages on key issues relating to the energy industry nationally and internationally.The think tank is comprised of a broad range senior qualified professionals with extensive experience in the provision of both in house and external communications advice across the energy industrial value chain.
About the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR)
Founded in 1948, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is the Royal Chartered professional body for public relations practitioners in the UK and overseas. The CIPR is the largest membership organisation for PR practitioners outside of North America. By size of turnover and number of individually registered members, we are the leading representative body for the PR profession and industry in Europe.
The CIPR advances professionalism in public relations by making its members accountable to their employers and the public through a code of conduct and searchable public register, setting standards through training, qualifications, awards and the production of best practice and skills guidance, facilitating Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and awarding Chartered Public Relations Practitioner status (Chart.PR).