Photo courtesy of Markus Wrinkler on Unsplash Women across the globe are still fighting for equality in 2026. According to UN Women, 137 women and girls are killed by intimate partners or family members every day , 4 million girls fall victim to female genital mutilation globally,  and only 64% of women worldwide hold the same legal rights as men.  Women everywhere face physical violence, systemic inequality, sexual abuse, and everyday sexism. Justice for gender equality rema

Photo courtesy of Nahrizul Kadri on Unsplash From content creation to data analysis, the use of AI tools are becoming more common in many industries, including public relations. While understanding how to use these tools is becoming increasingly important, AI-generated content should not replace the human skills that are essential to the field. It is important to know and experiment with the potential of AI as a tool. When used correctly, it can actually aid the public relati

Photo Courtesy of Rebrand Cities on Pexels We often think of communication as the words we say, but some of the most powerful messages are expressed without speaking at all. While public relations focuses heavily on messaging, how that message is delivered can be just as important as the words themselves. Understanding these signals, known as nonverbal communication, is essential for PR professionals to communicate effectively and influence how audiences perceive a message. W

Photo Courtesy of  University Career Fair by Rachel Holderman Cold emailing or messaging a potential employer, client, or LinkedIn connection can feel intimidating. Reaching out to someone you have never met and summarizing who you are, what you can offer, and why someone should hire you can be overwhelming. In public relations, a “pitch” is often considered a story being sent to media outlets or something used in sales. The more you prepare for the internship search, begin t

Photo Courtesy of Rachel Holderman At JMU, growth doesn’t just happen in the classroom. It happens in the moments when students connect with their community and take steps toward the future they want. College is the time to shape who you want to become, and JMU gives students the tools, community, and encouragement to make that happen. Finding Your Passion Through Being Involved With over 450 student organizations on campus, the possibilities for students to find things they

Photo Courtesy of Breeze TV Choosing your major is a decision that all students at James Madison University face. Whether you are an incoming freshman or a current student thinking about switching majors, it is common to be torn between majors or unsure about what exactly you want to pursue during your time at school. For me, distinguishing between the industries of Advertising and Public Relations (PR), and finding a major that fit my goals was what made my choice difficult.

Photo courtesy of Micheal Burrows on Pexels When creating a campaign for a client, you’re doing more than designing a brochure or a press release. You have to combine different studies such as public relations, business, marketing, communications, advertising, and design all into one cohesive strategy. Effective campaigns don’t separate these areas, but they overlap them with creativity at its core. Account strategists build the foundation of a campaign. They identify the aud

Photo Courtsey of Storyblocks In a world of rapidly evolving technology and a strong reliance on social media among many current and emerging professionals, it is important to understand the role of social media in modern public relations. Social media is a great tool for PR professionals to use when working with clients for a variety of reasons. Whether it's TikTok, Instagram, or LinkedIn, social media provides us with resources to build strong, successful PR campaigns. Bran

Photo Courtesy of Tranmautritam on Pexels When the words “creative team” pops up in people’s minds, most might think that they just solely focus on making things look pretty and aesthetic. That mindset creates a box that traps creatives working in a firm. As I am in my second semester here at Bluestone, I can attest there is so much more than just design going on in creative. Creativity with a Purpose As you join Bluestone’s creative, you will see there is a lot of strategy t

Photo Courtesy of Dukes Impact Challenge by Ella Stotzky Many young people dream of becoming millionaire, but do not know how to achieve that. Entrepreneurship can be seen as an intimidating route to becoming a millionaire. In reality, entrepreneurship is seen as something much simpler: solving everyday problems. Entrepreneurship can be very intimidating to most, but I am here to break it down into simple terms and show that anyone can be an entrepreneur. At its core, being a

Photo Courtesy of Steve Aderton As graduation draws closer by the day, it becomes increasingly difficult to ignore the transition from being a student to a professional. Having the ability to utilize the skills you learn is vital, and approaching a post-graduate program from a PR perspective can be extremely beneficial for your career. The degree you graduate with is not just something to put on your resume. It is a personal toolbox that you can use to help navigate the profe

Photo Courtesy of Pexels Students of public relations are constantly reminded of the distinctions that separate PR from marketing. Where PR is audience-driven and focused on building relationships, marketing is purely sales-driven and focused on product promotion. However, in today’s professional landscape, the lines between the two are increasingly blurred, especially as influencer marketing surges to the forefront of organizational priorities.  PR graduates heading into the

Photo Courtesy of Cottonbro Studio on Pexels Judging Brands Based On Design First impressions are visual. While scanning store aisles, you quickly form opinions on brands based on how they look. When choosing between two products with the same function and price, design becomes the deciding factor for purchase. Design is more than aesthetic; it directly shapes how people feel, trust, and engage with a brand. Elements such as logos, colors, and fonts give a brand personality b

Photo Courtesy of Fauxels on Pexels Conferences are often treated as one-off events: a few days of panels, free swag, and LinkedIn connections that quietly fade away. But conferences offer much more than just that, and for college students and young professionals, the people they meet can be a fundamental catalyst in reaching career goals. When approached intentionally, conferences expand your professional network and even open doors to internships or full-time roles. The dif

Photo Courtesy of Startup Stock on Pexels By: Sarisha Thakur When people think of public relations, they often picture press releases, social media campaigns, or someone pitching a story to a journalist. But behind every well-executed PR campaign lies a carefully crafted plan, and that planning process starts with a brainstorm.  So, how do you take a wide assortment of creative ideas and turn them into a campaign that delivers real results?  That is where the G.O.S.T. model c

By: Elle Roper Photo courtesy of Fauxels on Pexels The power of Public Relations can help businesses immensely. Whether a business is just starting out and needs the extra help to raise awareness or if a business needs help expanding its target audience a PR team is there to help. Here is a list of how PR can help elevate businesses.  Building Relationships With Local Businesses Public relations offers businesses the chance to grow relationships with other local businesses. P

By: Joey Buscareno Photo coutesy of Yan Krukau on Pexels ound different on paper, but they have many of the same goals. Both are about getting people to buy in and trust what the brand is saying. Whether it’s a product or a story, you’re building trust and trying to make your message stick.  It’s All About People Working in sales forces you to talk to all kinds of people. You figure out fast how to keep a conversation going, when to listen, and how to read what someone actual

By: Alli donnelly Photo Courtesy of Airam Dato on Pexels For Gen Z, the hiring process has gone digital in a way no generation before us has experienced. We’ve grown up online, and our digital presence has become part of how we get hired. While platforms like Instagram or TikTok help shape personal identity, LinkedIn has become the most important space for building a professional one. It’s no longer just a résumé site; it’s where opportunities start and networks form. Why Lin

BY: Adam Tabet Photo Courtesy of Ready Made on Pexels Just as it would feel weird feeding a carrot to this “horse” and “bunny,” why do we so easily choose companies that merely portray they are “sustainable” or “ethically” sourced? Large, elaborate, and expensive public relations and marketing campaigns are often started by companies to share how responsible and sustainable their business practices and products are. Many consumers fall victim to greenwashing, or as I like to

by: Kristen Sansone Photo Courtesy of James Madison University How does public relations impact the consumer engagement, customer trust, and brand loyalty of early-stage entrepreneurial ventures? This research question combines the two fields I am most passionate about: public relations and entrepreneurship. As a public relations concentration and an entrepreneurship minor, I often see overlap between the two fields.  With the rise of entrepreneurship and social media in this