Moscow, November 2016 – “The world has changed entirely and this fact put deep reflection on public communications business. Advertising, digital and public relations are merging faster than anyone can expect and in couple of years we will be managing simply one business led by PR experts. It will change although only by leaders with new modern visions who can provide perfect services in this very competitive market”, ICCO President Maxim Behar said at the International Leadership Dialogue Forum held this month in Moscow.

“Education and practice must go hand in hand in a way that students will be ready for the new challenges and new type of businesses just from the very first day in our offices”, Behar added.

“A brilliantly organized event showing to the participants how ICCO members can have professional exchange of ideas and visions on a local level having strong international impact. We were glad to be partners of this event as it is ICCO policy to support professional forums and discussions, which may bring useful conclusions for the future of our profession”.

More than 1000 participants from 30 cities of 9 countries during two days discussed at the Leadership Dialogue Forum future of Public Relations business in all its aspects – education, professional trainings, client’s relations and crisis management. PR Professionals, business managers, politicians and many students took part in the Forum at the International Press Center of RIA Novosti News Agency. The Forum also included 5th Eventiada Awards, international PR and communications awards celebrating best practices both in corporate/public sector and those conducted by younger generations (students and teenagers), best cases selected by jury from over 800 PR and communications entries projects applied from 124 cities of Russia, Hungary, Poland, Belarus, Ukraine and Kazakhstan.  ICCO was a proud partner of the event.