Joseph Abreu is the chief communications officer for the clerk of the court docket & comptroller of Lee County in Fort Myers, Fla., overseeing strategic communications, public affairs, media relations, emergency administration, and status/model administration. He’s additionally the PRSA’s 2024 Chair. Abreu has served for over 17 years in management roles with PRSA, together with 5 years on the nationwide board.
Earlier than his CCO position, he directed communication efforts for the clerk & comptrollers of St. Lucie and Palm Seaside counties. He managed communications and improvement for Compass, a outstanding LGBTQ group heart.
Abreu has been acknowledged with awards just like the PRSA Sunshine District’s Trailblazer Award and the PRSA Palm Seaside Chapter’s Corridor of Fame Award, Abreu’s campaigns have garnered over 40 nationwide, state, and native accolades.
The factor I’m most enthusiastic about for the way forward for my career is:
I’m enthusiastic about how new applied sciences, like synthetic intelligence and augmented actuality, will proceed to impression the way in which public relations professionals work within the close to future. These new instruments will give us distinctive alternatives to work sooner, produce extra content material, develop customized messaging and interact audiences.
One factor that worries me about the way forward for my career is:
As a lot as I embrace AI and different burgeoning applied sciences, I do fear about how they may amplify mis- and disinformation in our societies. We’re already extremely inclined to deceptive and false statements, however when it’s made with genuine voices and movies, it will likely be even tougher for individuals to discern between fact and lies. As public relations professionals, we must work collectively to fight unethical practices.
A software or a chunk of software program I can’t stay with out is:
My iPhone. Like many PR professionals, I have to be accessible in addition to have the ability to entry the web, e-mail, and social media – proper at my fingertips. I usually use my telephone to take notes, create movies, and handle all my funds.
Essentially the most underrated ability in my career is:
Monetary literacy. In the event you go into communications and not using a sturdy understanding of numbers, you’ll restrict your development. Communications executives should be snug with budgets, P&L statements and stability sheets. We additionally want to have the ability to measure our outcomes in opposition to the underside line and show our price within the C-suite.
A method I keep inventive and motivated is:
Graphic design is a ability that may really profit communicators, and I’ve been proficient in lots of Adobe applications for practically 20 years. It offers me a inventive escape from on a regular basis work, and the artistry permits me to recharge and higher contribute to my crew.
Somebody who has helped me achieve success in my profession is:
My husband. He has at all times been encouraging and supportive of my profession and my passions in life, whether or not it’s volunteering for PRSA for the previous 18 years or transferring throughout the state for a brand new profession alternative. He helps me keep constructive within the hardest occasions, and I wouldn’t be the place I’m with out him.
Isis Simpson-Mersha is a convention producer/ reporter for Ragan. Comply with her on LinkedIn.
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