In the chaotic, AI-fueled, misinformation-heavy world of 2025, the pressure on PR professionals to lead with integrity is sky-high. The dynamic, hands-on session, led by Mark McClennan, APR, Fellow PRSA, at Emerson College’s Semel Theater, helped participants develop skills to navigate real-world ethical dilemmas with clarity, confidence, and a touch of fun.
In a field where trust and credibility are paramount, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Boston Chapter’s “Training Your Ethical Mind” session served as a compelling forum dedicated to navigating the complex ethical landscape of modern public relations.
The immersive experience, designed for PR professionals eager to deepen their understanding of ethics in communications, brought together industry veterans, academics, rising talent, and communications students to explore how ethical decision-making shapes reputations and drives long-term success in public relations. It provided a platform to discuss issues openly and collaboratively, helping attendees develop frameworks to address dilemmas with transparency and integrity.
McClennan delivered an insightful talk delving deep into ethics in public relations, the ABCs of ethical failures, and incorporating questions into interviews, both for prospective employers and employees, to help identify an individual’s commitment to doing the right thing.
Participants were also presented with real-world ethical dilemmas as case studies, prompting them to workshop solutions within small groups to promote ethical decision-making tailored to their professional roles.
The event served as a networking opportunity for PRSA and PRSSA members, encouraging dialogue and connection with fellow ethics-minded communicators who are committed to fostering trust in their organizations and communities.
About Mark McClennan, APR, Fellow PRSA
- 2016 National PRSA Chair
- Host of the EthicalVoices podcast
- Author of EthicalVoices: Practicing Public Relations with Integrity
- Co-author of PR Council’s Generative AI ethics guidelines
- General Manager at award-winning C+C, PRSA’s 2025 Mid-Sized Agency of the Year
PRSA Boston 75th Anniversary Celebration & Annual Meeting
- Wednesday, December 17, 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- Location: ML Strategies, One Financial Center, 41st floor, Boston, MA
- As the Public Relations Society of America’s Boston Chapter kicks off its 75th Year, we invite you to help us celebrate this milestone at our Annual Meeting. You will also toast the recipients of the Chapter’s highest honor, the Diane Davis Beacon Award, and meet the local PRSA leadership team for 2026.
- Guest Panel: 75 Years of Partnerships with New England Journalists: Meet Today’s Editors
Hear from a diverse panel of Boston media. Enjoy the panoramic view of Boston Harbor while networking with PR professionals from across New England!
PRSA Boston & PR Club Holiday Sparkle
- January 13, 2026, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. ET
- Location: 775 Beacon St., Boston, MA
- PRSA Boston and PR Club are teaming up for a joint winter mixer, bringing together communicators from agencies, in-house teams, nonprofits, startups, and independent practices. This casual, co-hosted event is all about connection — meeting new faces, strengthening existing relationships, and celebrating the work we do to shape stories across the region and beyond.
Keep an eye on PRSA Boston Chapter’s website and social media channels for details on upcoming events. We hope to see you at the next one.
