Public Relations Consultant

Who is a PR Consultant?

In India, a public relations or PR consultant is regarded as a communications specialist. He/she functions as an intermediary between an organization and the public. The business depends on their PR consultant to communicate and circulate its goals, policies, and mission to the public.

What does a PR Consultant do?

A public relations consultant has to write press releases related to the events and issues of his/her company. These press releases are then circulated to various media professionals to publish or broadcast.

Their extra responsibilities include editing and writing newsletters, product information, speeches, brochure, articles on trade magazines, as well as, other communication materials.

They also organize events such as product launch parties, speaking engagements, tours, and news conferences, which help to grab the attention of special interest groups or the public.

The role of a PR consultant can vary and can include writing, for example, press releases, public speaking, organizing events and more.

Public relations consultants handle the public image of a company, whatever that may entail, which makes for an exciting, challenging and fast-paced career.

Of course, if you work for one firm, your job will involve these tasks for that firm only, however, if you own your own public relations consulting firm, your work will be further varied by taking on these challenges for a variety of clients.

What are the skills required?

The following are some of the major skills required to become a successful PR consultant in India:

• Good communication skill

• Understanding social media well

• Great writing ability

• Creativity

• Knowledge of Multimedia

Eligibility

To become a successful PR consultant in India, you should have a bachelor’s degree in any stream but preferably in mass media.

However, you can also take admission in a 1-year PG diploma in public relations. Alternatively, you may also complete a master’s degree in Journalism and Communication with a specialization in Public Relations in the 2nd year.

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Career scope

In India, a PR consultant can make his/her career in the following manner:

• They can work in big business houses, advertisement agencies, and public relations firms.

• PR consultants can also get employment in multinational companies, hospitals, hotels, pressure groups and lobbies, and entertainment and media companies.

• After getting some experience, A PR consultant can also become a Public Relations Officer or an image consultant for celebrities from different walks of life such as sportspersons, film stars, and politicians.

• Each government ministry has a liaison or information officer who handles its public relations and press relations.

• All banks, trade fair authorities, other financial institutions, and government information departments recruit corporate communications professionals and PRO.

How much does a PR Consultant make?

According to the Times of India, a fresher can earn between INR 8,000 and 10,000 every month. However, with the increase in their levels of experience, PR consultants can earn in the range of INR 50,000 to 80,000 per month.

On the other hand, ICBSE mentions that in a medium-sized company, the starting salary of a fresh PR professional can be between INR 5,000 and 7,000 per month. After gaining an experience of 5-7 years they can expect a salary in the range of INR 20,000 to 50,000 every month.

• Average Salary for a Public Relations (PR) Manager in India is Rs 595,976/yr

• The average salary of a Public Relations (PR) Manager with less than 1 year of experience is Rs 299,863/yr

• The average salary of a Public Relations (PR) Manager 1-4 years of experience is Rs 404,864 /yr

• At Senior level (5-9 years of experience) Public Relations (PR) Manager in India makes Rs 808,201/yr

• And with 10-19 years of experience, Public Relations (PR) Manager in India makes Rs 1,130,000 /yr

Major recruiters

Here are some of the finest public relations companies in the country where you can get a job:

• Perfect Relations

• Genesis Burson-Marsteller

• Text 100

• Ad Factors

• Waggner Edstrom

• Weber Shandwick.

• Edelman

• Ogilvy PR

• Vowels Advertising LLP

• APCO Worldwide

Where to study?

Popular Colleges offering a degree in Public Relations

• YMCA Institute for Media Studies and Information Technology, New Delhi

• Bhabha Institute of Management Science, Alwar

• Prestige Institute of Management and Research, Indore

• Bhavan's College, Mumbai

• Indian School of Public Relations, New Delhi

• Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune

• Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bengaluru

• Sharda University, Noida

Here some of the top universities and colleges where you can pursue your degree/diploma:

• Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh

• University of Lucknow, Lucknow

• Jadavpur University, Kolkata

• Department of Communication and Journalism, University of Mumbai

• Annamalai University, Chennai

• Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication, Bhopal

• Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi

What are the Books and study material available?

• Keep yourself updated on Current Affairs

• Values and Ethics

• Reading Habit

• Read Opinions and Editorials

• Command Over Language

• Mock Tests available online and offline

• How to Crack IIMC Entrance Exam (Winning Strategies in sync with Latest Pattern)

• Indian Institute Of Mass Communication Iimc Entrance Exam Paperback

• Lucent for General Knowledge

• Manorama Year Book

• Public Relations: Principles and Practices (Oxford Higher Education) - by Iqbal Sachdeva

• Introducing Public Relations: Theory and Practice-by Keith Butterick

• Social Media: Marketing Strategies for Rapid Growth Using Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest and YouTube- by John Williams

• Cases in Public Relations Management (2nd Edition) External link- by Patricia Swann

• Dear Chairman: Boardroom Battles and the Rise of Shareholder Activism- by Jeff Gramm

Interesting facts

Ameer Ismail is one of the best-known PR people in India. He has been in this field for about 20 years and has played an active role in the PR community of the country. In 1996, Ismail joined Lintas and was assigned the responsibility to build its public relations business.