MORGANTOWN, W. Va. & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Findings from a recent Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) survey predict that integrated marketing communications (IMC) will be one of the top five proficiencies for public relations and communication professionals during the next five years. Underscoring IMC’s rising importance, the West Virginia University (WVU) Integrated Marketing Communications online graduate program is partnering with PRSA to augment and enhance the IMC learning opportunities available through PRSA.
With public relations professionals being asked to wear more hats than ever before, WVU IMC Program Director Chad Mezera says that WVU’s IMC program and PRSA share a common goal.
“Like PRSA, West Virginia University advances the capabilities of the world’s public relations professionals, helping them keep pace in a rapidly evolving field,” said Mezera. “Our IMC graduate program helps professionals develop and lead effective integrated marketing communications campaigns that create meaningful dialogue with consumers and maximize their ROI.”
Through the partnership, WVU IMC faculty — distinguished marketing directors, C-suite executives, academics and entrepreneurs — students and alumni will share content through PRSA newsletters, magazines, blogs, conferences and Jobcenter. WVU IMC and PRSA also will collaborate to develop relevant industry research and professional development opportunities.
“We are honored that WVU IMC has joined PRSA as a university partner,” said PRSA VP of Corporate Development and Industry Partnerships John D. Robinson. “WVU IMC’s online master’s program in integrated marketing communications provides the social media, theoretical and practical skills for professionals to be successful in their field. Their tremendous program and standing expertise in this area will nicely complement our roster of university partners and help to advance the profession, as well as the professional.”
While the partnership gives PRSA members access to cutting-edge information and actively engaged IMC experts who can discuss the practical application and value of IMC, WVU IMC students likewise will benefit from greater access to PRSA thought leadership, educational resources and members. In just one example, PRSA Chair-Elect Gerard Corbett served as the keynote speaker for WVU IMC’s INTEGRATE 2011 Conference, June 3-4, in Morgantown, W.Va.
Public relations professionals can find out more about the partnership, request additional information about the WVU IMC program and sign up for IMC news and program white papers by visiting http://imc.wvu.edu/prsa.
About the WVU Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) Graduate Program
The West Virginia University P.I. Reed School of Journalism's online Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) graduate program gives public relations, marketing and other communications professionals the theoretical grounding and practical skills they need to build, implement and measure integrated communication programs in today’s dynamic digital environment.
The WVU IMC graduate program curriculum emphasizes a holistic approach to marketing communications. Professionals are able to choose from master’s-level courses in brand equity management, marketing research and analysis, audience insight, visual information design, digital storytelling and multicultural marketing, among other subjects.
The academically rigorous program offers a customizable master’s degree in IMC, a graduate certificate in IMC and a graduate certificate in Digital Marketing Communications (DMC). Characterized by small class sizes, personalized attention and access to the most current thinking and innovative methods in the field, the program is both specialized and flexible, requiring no on-campus classroom attendance.
About the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)
With more than 31,000 professional and student members, PRSA is the largest organization of public relations professionals and students. PRSA is comprised of 112 local Chapters organized into 10 geographic Districts; 14 Professional Interest Sections that focus on issues, trends and research relevant to specialized practice areas, such as technology, health care, financial communications, entertainment and sports, and travel tourism; and the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), which has more than 300 Chapters at colleges and universities in the United States and abroad. PRSA is headquartered in New York.