PR Agency Handbook

A Practical and Concise Introduction to Agency Life

The PR Agency Handbook guides students through the day-to-day operations of a professional PR agency and offers best practices for creating a successful career in the industry. Authors Regina Luttrell and Luke Capizzo highlight real-world stories from the field as well as interviews with PR experts to help students bridge the gap between college and professional life. Throughout the book, students are introduced to many of the sub-fields of strategic communication, including traditional public relations and corporate communication, marketing, social media, creative production (print, digital, video, audio), web and user experience design, and search engine optimization (SEO). Students will not only develop a fundamental understanding of the different components found within an agency, but they will also gain an appreciation for the positive impact that excellent agency work can have on organizations.

Regina Luttrell, Ph.D. is the senior associate dean of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. She is an accomplished leader with extensive experience in spearheading complex research projects, known for fostering cross-departmental and interdisciplinary collaboration and serving as a strong advocate for faculty across various capacities. Her proven track record in securing external funding for research initiatives is complemented by her prolific contributions to her field, having authored more than fifteen books, published numerous articles in academic and professional journals, and presented her work at both domestic and international conferences. Her research primarily delves into public relations, artificial intelligence, mis/disinformation, data analytics, teaching through a feminist pedagogical framework, and the evolving role of social media in society. Before transitioning into academia, she built a robust career in corporate public relations and marketing. Her expertise spans strategic development and implementation in public relations, social media, advertising, marketing, and corporate communications, providing a strong foundation for her current academic endeavors. Luke W. Capizzo (Ph.D., APR) is an assistant professor in the Department of Advertising + Public Relations at Michigan State University. He is the coauthor (with Regina Luttrell) of The PR Agency Handbook and has published several dozen scholarly articles in such outlets as Journal of Public Relations Research and Public Relations Review. A PR researcher, educator, and practitioner, his scholarly interests include (1) public relations and managing contentious issues; (2) applied social impact for PR—activism, DEI, dialogue, organizational listening, and sustainability/environmental justice; and (3) the public relations profession. Broadly, his research examines the potential societal contributions of organizations through the public relations function. Prior to attending the University of Maryland to earn his Ph.D., he practiced public relations for eight years with a focus on media relations in the ?nancial services, commercial real estate, manufacturing, retail, and technology industries, serving in both agency and in-house roles. Working with a wide variety of clients—from the Fortune 500 to small businesses and nonpro?ts—he garnered media coverage in top national outlets and trade publications, secured and prepared clients for national cable news interviews, and led projects to improve agency-wide media training, sta? onboarding, and client evaluation and reporting metrics. He is an Arthur W. Page Center Legacy Scholar (2020, 2022, 2023) and has earned the APR (Accreditation in Public Relations) designation through the Public Relations Society of America.