PRWeek US conference heralds ‘Age of Opportunity’

PRWeek US recently completed a busy schedule of high-profile, well-attended, and commercially and editorially successful events, including its annual NEXT Conference and inaugural 40 Under 40 lunch.

The theme for NEXT 2010 was ‘The Age of Opportunity’, reflecting PR’s unique position to extend its role at the top table of corporate and brand strategy, especially given its expertise in earned media – and its leading role in social media.

Keynote speakers included Michael Roth, chief executive of Interpublic Group; Christine Cea, director of marketing communications at Unilever; Olivier Fleurot, CEO of MSLGroup; Julie Hamp, CCO at PepsiCo; Ray Day, VP, global communications at Ford; and Brad Shaw, VP of corporate comms at The Home Depot. The day ended with a Q&A between PR legend Harold Burson and PRWeek’s editor-in-chief Steve Barrett.

Event sponsors were Yahoo, Pfizer, Edelman, MSLGroup, Waggener Edstrom, and MDC Partners.

One day earlier, more than 150 people attended the inaugural 40 Under 40 lunch as members of PRWeek’s annual list of PR and communications highflyers from the client and agency worlds were honored in front of their peers.

PRWeek’s PR Professional of the Year and former 40 Under 40 honoree Ray Kerins, VP worldwide communications at Pfizer, was guest of honor and keynote speaker at the lunch. “My favorite part of a very busy week was interviewing Harold Burson live,” said Barrett. “And, judging by the number of people who stayed to the end of a very busy and thought-provoking program, it was many delegates’ favorite part of an excellent day too.”