Institute for Public Relations and PRNEWS
The Institute for Public Relations and PR NEWS conducted a study of 318 public relations professionals to find out how companies organize and evolve their communication function, including headcounts, reporting lines, strategic choices around structure and function, and areas of improvement. This study also assessed the efficacy and challenges of the structure of the communication function.

Some key findings include:
  • Fewer than half of communication leaders said they were satisfied with the structure of their function. Though, respondents were more likely to agree that their function is effective.
  • The number of responsibilities of the communication function will continue to increase, but most expect their headcount to remain the same.
  • 81% of communication leaders said their number of responsibilities has increased in the past two years, and 71% said they anticipate their number of responsibilities will continue to increase in the next two years.
  • Communication leaders expressed a need for more resources, structure changes, role clarification, and better collaboration with other departments moving forward.
  • When asked what they would change about the communication function, leaders identified the need for additional resources (46%), changes to the structure of the function (18%), clarification of roles (7%), and better collaboration, coordination, and alignment with other departments (7%).
The Diversity Action Alliance (DAA) released a report to benchmark and track diversity numbers in the public relations industry.

This analysis is based on data reported as of January 1, 2020, by 122 qualified organizations that are signatories of the DAA. The categories of analysis are based on the guidelines of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). 

Some key findings include:
  • The lowest percentage of racial/ethnic diversity is at the executive and top levels of leadership.
  • 93% of the individuals who are the top communicator or agency leader are white, along with 87% of executives.
  • In 2019, 81% of employees who were promoted were white.
  • 73% of organizations said they do not have a chief diversity officer.
The Kaiser Family Foundation COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor is an ongoing research project tracking the public’s attitudes and experiences with COVID-19 vaccinations. 

A survey of 1,517 U.S. adults was conducted from July 15–27, 2021.

Key findings include:
  • 3 in 10 adults remain unvaccinated, including 1 in 10 who say they want to “wait and see” how the vaccine works for other people before getting vaccinated.
  • 3% of respondents say they will get vaccinated “only if required” (down from 6% in June).
  • 14% of Americans say they will “definitely not” get a vaccine, a share that has held relatively steady since December.
  • More than half (including 75% of “definitely not”) of unvaccinated adults say getting vaccinated is a bigger risk to their health than getting infected with the coronavirus.
  • Two-thirds of vaccinated adults (68%) and three-quarters of Democrats (75%) say the federal government should recommend that employers require their employees to get vaccinated, while 8 in 10 (81%) unvaccinated adults and 67% of Republicans say the federal government should not do this.
Edelman examined how COVID-19 is shaping private equity communications priorities.

A survey of 60 private equity firms was conducted from March 17–April 2, 2021.

Key findings include:
  • 88% of respondents said conferences and events were "very" or "somewhat" important contributors to the success of their communications program.
  • 72% said the same for online print and media.
  • 87% of respondents said they are "very" or "somewhat" concerned about addressing ESG in their 2021 communications strategy.
  • 28% say broadcast media is "very" or "somewhat" important in contributing to the success of the communications program, and 38% say it is not important at all.
  • 20% of firms say they do not have a DE&I initiative but are planning to have one.


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