Making The Transition From Journalism To PR

As newsrooms continue to downsize, some journalists are looking at careers in public relations, public affairs or corporate communications as an alternative. Our panelists are: Aprill O. Turner, NABJ’s associate member rep and a public relations professional and political strategist with experience working with non-profit and corporate clients; Marc Willis, a former television news reporter who now works as a Public Affairs Specialist for the Department of Justice's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Manny Otiko, who has worked in the journalism/PR field for more than 15 years and is currently vice president of social and new media at Desmond & Louis Public Relations; and Denise T. Ward, who spent 12 years as a journalist before moving to communications, where she is currently a Strategic Communications Specialist with Booz Allen Hamilton. The transition is not as easy as many would expect, so our panelists will share their experiences on making the move and answer questions on how to transfer your skills to the other side.