Bronstein Lecture in Ethics and Public Relations

February 25, 2013

Integrity in Times of Crisis

VIDEO What does public relations professional do when a tsunami of trouble hits an organization? The practical problems associated with dealing with fast-breaking bad news are a long-standing concern in public relations, but there are important ethical components as well.

As the pressure mounts, how does the public relations pro maintain integrity in professional practice? Penn State is no stranger to this question, one that will be addressed by a panel of three experts during a 90-minute session that is free and open to the public.

The annual Ben Bronstein Lecture in Ethics and Public Relations will feature nationally-known crisis communications expert Jim Lukaszewski, president of The Lukaszewski Group. Joining him will be Associated Press reporter Genaro Armas and Steve Manuel, a senior lecturer in the Department of Advertising/Public Relations who has abundant crisis communications experience as a public affairs officer for the Office of the Secretary of Defense and Marine Corps spokesman.

November 08, 2011

The Right to Know and the Need to Share

P.J. Crowley, former assistant secretary of state for public affairs and spokesman for the U.S. Department of State

The Right to Know and the Need to Share: Sustaining a Credible Strategic Narrative in an Age of Terror, Political Turmoil, and WikiLeaks

In March of 2011, Crowley criticized the Army's treatment of military prisoner Bradley Manning, who was accused of leaking classified documents to WikiLeaks. Crowley’s critical remarks, made during a seminar at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, led to his resignation. In his address, Crowley discussed that incident and the subsequent outcomes, including loss of his job.

March 26, 2011

The Public Relations Professional: The Conscience of the Organization?

Patricia Whalen, assistant prof. at DePaul and member of the board of ethics and professional standards for the PRSA

Whalen, an expert with almost 20 years of communications and corporate marketing experience, focused her address on the importance of public relations professionals in shaping the ethical behavior of organizations. Whalen, who is also director of the master’s degree program in public relations and advertising at DePaul, built her experience in the fields of automotive, aviation and maritime, health care, consumer packaged goods, and telecommunications.

March 22, 2010

Social Networks, Blogs, Twitter and Others: PR Response and Responsibility

Tim O'Brien and Emmanuel Tchividjian

Tim O'Brien of O'Brien Communications and Emmanuel Tchividijian of Ruder Finn Public Relations address social media and its impact as part of the Bronstein Lecture.

September 23, 2008

Informing the Electorate—Ethically

Dale Davenport of the Harrisburg (Pa.) Patriot-News, and Jennifer Palmieri of the Center for American Progress present "Informing the Electorate -- Ethically: The Current State and Hopeful Future of Political Campaign Promotion and Covreage" as the Bronstein Lecture.