By Jane Kollmer, University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center
Members of PAMN are charged with building brand, reputation and thought leadership in the cancer space. This can be accomplished through earned media opportunities. In today’s rapidly evolving media landscape, navigating the world of public relations and media relations—especially for the unique space that is cancer communications—can be as complex as it is critical.
The PAMN Media Relations Affinity group offers networking opportunities, support, resources and professional development that will help both seasoned PR professionals and those just starting out. Here are some reasons why joining the PAMN media relations affinity group can benefit your career and institution.
- Networking with like-minded professionals
Being part of the affinity group allows you to exchange insights, learn from others’ experiences, and build relationships that could lead to future partnerships or job opportunities. If you struggle with something in PR, there’s a good chance your peers have encountered these challenges as well.
For example, this group often talks about how difficult it is to pull abstract information for scientific meetings like ASCO, AACR and ASH. Collectively, we are considering how to improve the relationship between PIOs and professional organization media teams. It is also fun to meet in person in the press room and chat over lunch to break up our busy conference schedules.
- Professional development and learning opportunities
The group can also inform the PAMN steering committee about potential in-demand topics for annual conference sessions or special workshops and webinars led by experts in media relations and public relations. This tailored content can be valuable by providing practical skills and knowledge that you can apply directly to your work. From mastering new media tools to understanding the latest industry trends, the affinity group can brainstorm the best learning opportunities that help you stay at the forefront of the field.
- A supportive community
Working in media relations can be challenging, and having a supportive community can make a significant difference. This affinity group offers a space where you can share your successes and struggles with others who understand the unique demands of cancer communications. Whether you’re looking for advice, collaboration or just a sounding board, the affinity group provides a safe and supportive platform to engage with peers. The collegial spirit of the group means that we can help each other and trust that when we all do better, we help reach more people.
Joining the media relations affinity group offers a multitude of benefits that can significantly impact your career and elevate your cancer center’s reputation. We welcome new members to the group who can bring their experience and perspective. We hope to build a thriving community of PR and media relations superstars.
To participate, contact group leaders Jane Kollmer and Kim Polacek. The media relations affinity group meets at 4 p.m. ET on the last Wednesday of each month via Zoom.
Learn more about all of the affinity groups offered by PAMN.