Unlike many industries it touches, public relations has no shortage of women. Women comprise nearly 64% of PR firms, so when it comes to gender diversity, there isn’t an issue. Ethnic and racial diversity, however, is a big problem. The percentage of Caucasian workers in PR, however, ranges from 67%–81% according to different statistics, with any other demographic hovering around 10% at most.

The ethical imperative of increasing racial and ethnic equity in PR is essential, but even putting aside the social good, a lack of representation is bad for business. It perpetuates biases, hinders authentic storytelling and limits diverse perspectives.

Good PR firms are supposed to have their fingers on the pulse of what’s going on, what’s making news and what people are interested in. When your team is homogenous, it’s much harder to show that you understand the world and your clients, especially when they have diverse stakeholders. 

Appearances aside, though, a more diverse team expands creativity and conversations. Getting a greater variety of opinions and perspectives leads to unique approaches to problem-solving, campaign development and audience engagement, which is priceless in the PR industry. 

Diversity is also a boon for networking opportunities. Building connections with professionals from diverse backgrounds becomes increasingly more accessible when your firm has team members who can relate to a broader collection of backgrounds and lived experiences, promoting authentic conversations that can lead to long-term relationships, opportunities for collaboration and the ability to reach a wider audience.

A diverse PR workforce fosters cultural competence, enabling professionals to navigate global markets and engage with various clients effectively. Understanding and respecting cultural nuances are critical when executing campaigns or managing crises in an increasingly interconnected society.

Diversity can also be a safety measure in PR, considering how word usage and references can lead to severe blowback for the firm and clients. Unconscious biases and not staying updated with language can be a minefield. Understanding and respecting cultural nuances are critical when executing campaigns or managing crises in an increasingly interconnected world, and having a larger body of knowledge can prevent a crisis in the making. 

The world is growing increasingly diverse, and the way forward is to grow with it. PR firms should adopt proactive strategies to attract diverse talent, including targeted recruitment efforts and building relationships with diverse, inclusive organizations to create an industry that better reflects the future. 

Want to work with a diverse and talented PR team? Mercury Global Partners’ PR team includes senior PR and content executives who speak multiple languages and hail from a variety of different backgrounds. Email hello@wearemgp.com to learn more. 

 

Unlike many industries it touches, public relations has no shortage of women. Women comprise nearly 64% of PR firms, so when it comes to gender diversity, there isn’t an issue. Ethnic and racial diversity, however, is a big problem. The percentage of Caucasian workers in PR, however, ranges from 67%–81% according to different statistics, with any other demographic hovering around 10% at most.

The ethical imperative of increasing racial and ethnic equity in PR is essential, but even putting aside the social good, a lack of representation is bad for business. It perpetuates biases, hinders authentic storytelling and limits diverse perspectives.

Good PR firms are supposed to have their fingers on the pulse of what’s going on, what’s making news and what people are interested in. When your team is homogenous, it’s much harder to show that you understand the world and your clients, especially when they have diverse stakeholders. 

Appearances aside, though, a more diverse team expands creativity and conversations. Getting a greater variety of opinions and perspectives leads to unique approaches to problem-solving, campaign development and audience engagement, which is priceless in the PR industry. 

Diversity is also a boon for networking opportunities. Building connections with professionals from diverse backgrounds becomes increasingly more accessible when your firm has team members who can relate to a broader collection of backgrounds and lived experiences, promoting authentic conversations that can lead to long-term relationships, opportunities for collaboration and the ability to reach a wider audience.

A diverse PR workforce fosters cultural competence, enabling professionals to navigate global markets and engage with various clients effectively. Understanding and respecting cultural nuances are critical when executing campaigns or managing crises in an increasingly interconnected society.

 Diversity can also be a safety measure in PR, considering how word usage and references can lead to severe blowback for the firm and clients. Unconscious biases and not staying updated with language can be a minefield. Understanding and respecting cultural nuances are critical when executing campaigns or managing crises in an increasingly interconnected world, and having a larger body of knowledge can prevent a crisis in the making. 

The world is growing increasingly diverse, and the way forward is to grow with it. PR firms should adopt proactive strategies to attract diverse talent, including targeted recruitment efforts and building relationships with diverse, inclusive organizations to create an industry that better reflects the future. 

Want to work with a diverse and talented PR team? Mercury Global Partners’ PR team includes senior PR and content executives who speak multiple languages and hail from a variety of different backgrounds. Email hello@wearemgp.com to learn more.