Who is a PR manager?
A PR manager or PR manager (from the English public relations) is a specialist responsible for creating and maintaining a favorable image of a company or a specific trademark owned by this company. 

Responsibilities of a PR manager
The so-called "PR specialist" is responsible for interaction with the external environment, he evaluates, analyzes and predicts factors affecting the company's image and its development. This is what makes him different from an advertising manager who promotes only a single service or product.

The PR manager ensures mutual understanding and cooperation between the organization and clients, journalists, authorities at all levels, and the population. This complex process includes several important responsibilities: 1) preparing press releases about the company and transmitting them to the media; 2) responses to media inquiries about the company's activities; 3) organization of press conferences for interviews with the company's management; 4) interaction with the authorities and the local population; 5) interaction with financial circles (for example, with investors). Separately, it is worth highlighting the organization and conduct of various PR campaigns.

Place of work
Every large firm has at least a PR manager position. In large banks, corporations, companies, PR managers work in special departments or public relations departments.

There are also special PR agencies that have a wide range of customers - from trading companies to famous artists. Two groups of specialists work here. The first group includes copywriters (creators) who come up with ways to hold one or more events. The second group consists of technologists. The latter implement the developed concepts, that is, directly conduct presentations, press conferences, exhibitions, etc.

PR managers also work in politics. With their assistance, politicians win (or do not win) the trust of citizens.

Requirements for a PR manager
knowledge of the basics and principles of PR management and advertising;
be able to understand the basics of marketing, management, economics;
ability to work with business correspondence;
ability to draw up PR strategies and knowledge of the principles of PR campaigns;
media planning skills;
the ability to write articles, reviews, press releases, advertising materials;
experience in organizing exhibitions, various specialized seminars, press conferences;
knowledge of modern software, for example, MS Office; ability to use the Internet and graphic programs

Personal qualities
sociability, activity, ability to work;
knowledge of the rules of etiquette, the ability to find a common language and ways of proper communication with media representatives;
a presentable external person is required, since the PR manager is an official representative of the organization;
the ability to approach the matter creatively and find a way out of a rapidly changing situation;
Stress;
the ability to clearly express one's thoughts.
Pros and cons of the profession
Pros:
a sought-after and fashionable profession;
high wages;
the opportunity to communicate with the media and journalists.
 
Cons:
There is a lot of competition in the labor market.

Place of work and career growth
Beginner PR managers (students or graduates of specialized faculties) will be required to know the basics of PR management, a desire to work and communication skills. Wages will be low at first. As a place of work, a young specialist can choose PR and advertising agencies, publishing houses, media companies, public relations departments in various companies or departments related to advertising.

 
The next stage of a young specialist's career will begin after about two years of work in the chosen field. The requirements for such employees are already higher, for example, the ability to write articles, press releases, compose advertising and information materials, and know the principles of planning PR strategies. Usually, at this stage, the specialist already has experience in participating in and organizing various exhibitions, seminars or press conferences. The salary of a PR manager at this stage can already be one and a half times higher.

A higher salary for a PR manager comes after about three years of work in PR management. Such an employee already has his own developments, a database of contacts with media workers has been formed, and there is experience in developing PR strategies.

However, if a PR specialist can become a so-called "star" in his field, his work will be fought for, and the fees will be very high.

In most cases, girls become PR managers, men in this area do not exceed 30%. The age category of specialists does not exceed 30 years (about 75%).

For a PR manager, the most obvious example of his professional success is his portfolio (information on completed projects). PR activities are quite easy to verify and tangible. With the help of special mechanisms, employers can evaluate the past work of a PR specialist: whether he brought a new brand to the market, whether he was able to increase its recognition and increase sales, as well as change the opinion of direct consumers about the product or service.