ECC in the shadow of fake news
European Communications Convention
This year’s European Communications Convention (ECC) focused on the theme of ‘lies’, thereby addressing developments over recent months such as the Brexit referendum and the US election. Speakers from the UK – this year’s partner country for the communications congress – examined the communications landscape surrounding the Brexit decision from various perspectives, as well as its implications for international public relations. Other leading international speakers also addressed these issues and shared their experiences from their respective countries.
Presentations and discussions on dwindling sources of trust, the ‘click society’ and rising cybercrime
Serra Görpe, a professor at the University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, gave a general presentation on the psychology of lying and how a lie – often referred to as an ‘alternative truth’ – can influence the masses. However, the key message from one of the panel discussions – moderated by Jean-Pierre Beaudoin, Managing Director of Burson Marsteller i&e – was that trust, as an intangible asset, is now even more important than it was just a few years ago. This is because, in today’s world, we find fewer anchors of trust – for example, due to the dwindling credibility of the mainstream media – and as a result, the public is quicker to lose trust in institutions. Speaker Michael T. Schröder, President of the global communications network IPREX, noted that our intensive use of social media and ‘Like’ buttons has transformed us into a ‘click society’ that, like swarm intelligence, directs attention towards certain topics. This new form of agenda-setting and susceptibility to fake news is a development whose consequences are difficult to predict. Experts such as Gabi Dreo Rodosec, a professor at the Bundeswehr University, and John Adams, a cybercrime expert from Chicago, also discussed the rise in cybercrime, its implications for public relations, and the professional handling of communication strategies. Other key topics included communication in the context of the refugee crisis, social media optimisation and communication using moving images.
Conference participants discussed, networked and put themselves to the test in crisis scenarios
At the two-day conference in the Orangery at Nymphenburg Palace, participants did more than just discuss, seek solutions to current communication challenges and network: PR managers from companies, organisations and agencies were also able to put themselves to the test in a simulated crisis scenario. The main topic here was autonomous driving. Using the example of a vehicle model launched with faults in the USA, the PR and communications experts ran through the necessary communication and exit strategies in a role-play exercise.
Conference organised for the third time by the German Public Relations Association (DPRG)
This marks the third time the Communications Congress has been held in the last four years. The European Communications Convention is organised by a team of experienced PR and events experts, including board members of the DPRG’s Bavarian regional group, among whom is our owner, Brigitte Kaltwasser. The next congress will take place in Munich again in 2018.
