Saltzman's study of PR practitioners in TV and film published

By Jessica Zech Student Writer Journalism professor and Director of the Image of the Journalist in Popular Culture (IJPC) Joe Saltzman's study titled "The Image of the Public Relations Practitioner in Movies and Television, 1901-2011" was published in a special edition of The IJPC Journal. The study, which looked at how public relations practitioners are portrayed in 222 films and 105 television shows, revealed that they are portrayed more positively than many PR professionals previously thought. It is the largest study of its kind ever attempted. In addition to Saltzman's research, the journal includes work previously presented at the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication's 2011 conference. PR professors examined the role of the PR practitioner from textual analysis and how their portrayal influences students' career choices. The goal of the journal was to determine why society feels the way it does about PR professionals and what this information means for people in the PR world. The editors also wrote in their introduction that they hope their work promotes further research in the area. Saltzman will also present his study in a special paper at the International History of Public Relations Conference in England on July 11 and 12. Access the journal here.