52 PR Pros Shaping the Conversation on Twitter
July 30th, 2012
Top PR people on Twitter? You can find a dozen public relations expert lists with no real rhyme or reason, in fact many of the lists base their inclusion solely on the frequency of using the PR hashtag. Or the list includes companies who simply promote their work and their clients, but who contribute nothing to conversations or the industry. Turning to Google Search, other top lists are dated from 2008, and some of those folks aren’t in PR, or have new jobs or aren’t with us anymore. Interesting note, even PRWeek analyzed their so-called Power List and noticed that only 22% of them are actually active on Twitter. Not so much a “power list” then is it? It’s the Gen X in me, but just because you’re in a senior position doesn’t mean you’re powerful in an industry going through dramatic and very public changes.
Not one to just complain, I created a solution – a list of PR pros who contribute and shape the conversations around communications. In a rather unscientific manner, I set the following criteria:
- primary job is public relations or communications
- has been active on Twitter at least 6 months
- minimum 1,000 followers with at least 2,000 tweets and not an auto-bot
- participates in the conversation and offers, adds, or shares value
- based in North America
- not an industry resource (e.g. PRWeek)
- and is a real person
The result?
52 PR Pros Shaping the Conversation on Twitter (and listed in alphabetical order because who wants to rank by influence, frequency or heaven-help-us a Klout score.)
- @allanschoenberg
- @andrew_shippr
- @arikhanson
- @armano
- @augieray
- @beckygaylord
- @bethharte
- @briansolis
- @carenwest
- @chuckhemann
- @commammo
- @conversationage
- @dbreakenridge
- @davesaunders
- @elissapr
- @fredmcclimans
- @ginidietrich
- @jasmollica
- @jasonfalls
- @jaybaer
- @jeffespo
- @jgoldsborough
- @jspepper
- @kamichat
- @karenswim
- @kdpaine
- @keithtrivitt
- @kellyecrane
- @lenkendall
- @lizzharmon
- @loudyoutloud
- @mackcollier
- @marc_meyer
- @markwschaefer
- @mdbarber
- @michaelocc
- @mindofandre
- @missusp
- @mpranikoff
- @nflprguy
- @pmgnicole
- @pprothe
- @pr_couture
- @prcog
- @prtini
- @rexr
- @shonali
- @steveology
- @steverubel
- @tamadear
- @tdefren
- @valeriesimon
This is by no means a complete list, but it’s a good, solid start. Feel free to add more to the comments or let me know who you’d knock off the list.
July 30th, 2012 at 8:04 pm
I’m absolutely floored by you including me. Flattered to be with Deirdre, Valerie, ‘Cog, among other folks I admire.
Thank you for making my day.
Jason
@JasMollica
July 30th, 2012 at 8:39 pm
Wow, it really means a lot to be included in a list with sooooo many PR pros I hold in such high regard.
Echoing Mr, Mollica, you have officially made my day.
Hope to “see” you, and some other on the list in #PR20chat tomorrow.
-Andrew
@Andrew_ShipPR
July 30th, 2012 at 8:54 pm
Thank you very much for including me on this list!
July 30th, 2012 at 9:30 pm
Hi Jenny,
Thank you so very, very much for including me on this list. Really honored to be among this group!
Cheers,
Becky
@beckygaylord
July 30th, 2012 at 9:39 pm
You have several names on there I don’t know, which means two things.
This list is useful.
You got it right.
July 30th, 2012 at 10:07 pm
At least I know why I’m not included…
July 30th, 2012 at 11:05 pm
Jenny, I have thoroughly enjoyed connecting with you and learning from you over the years since we first connected on Twitter. (yikes – was that 2007?!?!)
Thank you for including me on your list – it means a lot coming from you. And you introduced me to some other great folks – that is the beauty of people like you who put thought into the content they’re sharing. Thank you!!
Christine
@missusP
July 30th, 2012 at 11:25 pm
What Ike said. Thank you!
And this is certainly share worthy! Well done!
July 31st, 2012 at 12:44 am
Many thanks and I’m lucky my name begins with “A”; I sincerely appreciate the recognition.
Allan
July 31st, 2012 at 6:09 am
How kind of you to mention me, Jenny – thank you very very much! And like Ike said, there are quite a few names I don’t know, which is awesome, because it means there are pros out there I now want to get to know… because they are referred from a trusted source… you!
July 31st, 2012 at 6:37 am
Thanks so much Jenny. Great list!
July 31st, 2012 at 6:39 am
Edward – I had to keep “celebrities” off the list, you know, for credibility.
JR
July 31st, 2012 at 6:42 am
Ike – you won’t find “global business celebrities” or other so-called PR experts who don’t actually shape the conversation on Twitter. And if folks aren’t following you at @ikepigott, well, I may just have to put you on your own list.
July 31st, 2012 at 8:34 am
Thank you Jenny
Love that you actually put a lot of thought into who should be on the list and why, and still thought I deserved to be on it! Thank you doubly!
July 31st, 2012 at 9:04 am
As usual, Ike is right (don’t tell him I said that!) — I’ve found several new people to follow on the list above, and look forward to getting to know them. Thanks for the honor of being included!
July 31st, 2012 at 9:11 am
Thank you Jenny! I am so honored to be included and grateful to find some new people to follow. It’s humbling to be on a list by someone I consider an ambassador of the profession.
July 31st, 2012 at 10:11 am
Thank you so much for including me on this fantastic list! I am looking forward to checking out the other PR pros and appreciate all that you do.
July 31st, 2012 at 10:11 am
I know some of the people on this list and definitely agree!
July 31st, 2012 at 12:10 pm
Hi Jenny – thanks for including me on this list. Take care!
July 31st, 2012 at 12:28 pm
I can’t disagree with this fabulous list but I sure want to be included, pretty please
Proud to be in convo with most, often, but I found a few new-to-me. Thanks for the list. I trust you, therefore I trust this list as solid. Waving from Colorado. @rajean
July 31st, 2012 at 12:43 pm
Hi Rajean,
I can think of many more people I hope folks will follow, but that’s a whole other list. Glad you’re in the conversation and maybe for 2013, I’ll have a nifty list logo, cupcakes, and few more folks to add.
Be well, JR
July 31st, 2012 at 12:43 pm
Sean, my thanks is to you for helping to shape, question and probe the PR conversation on Twitter. – JR
July 31st, 2012 at 12:45 pm
Karen, thank you. You’re one of the folks I knew had to be on the list. Your presence on Twitter gets me thinking about PR, but also shapes the conversation for many others. You’ve earned it.
July 31st, 2012 at 3:38 pm
Great list of some really good people!
July 31st, 2012 at 10:28 pm
Thank you, Jenny! I’m honoured to be included in such illustrious company!
August 3rd, 2012 at 7:42 am
Great list! Was following some already but have added more! It is always interesting to follow US based PRs as digital transcends all territories. Twitter is quite often used by PRs to observe current events and identifying ‘generational interests’ for developing campaign ideas and keeping up relations with journalists.
So many of these lists are not always relevant, but some really interesting pros on here, who are not just posting links to their articles, as that can get quite repetitive – with people often posting the same information and not showing innovation in their thought sharing.
Raquel
@I_Am_Raquel_
August 4th, 2012 at 9:54 pm
Lots of great friends on this list… but a couple of new ones to connect with. Thanks as usual for bringing us all together Jenny.