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Last year I joined the European Association of Communications Directors and in June I will also speak at their first European Conference.
I thought it would be interesting to do an interview with the President, Dr. Heitmann and see what he thinks about the public relations profession and its challenges in Europe. So here it is:
Q: On November 8, 2006 you launched the European Association of Communications Directors. Looking at the myriad of national and European associations that already exist in the field of business communications why do you think there is a place for the EACD?
A: Indeed, you are quite right: there are plenty of associations at national level but surprisingly few on a European plane and certainly none that brings together those of us who ultimately drive the communications community and agenda across Europe on a day -to-day basis.
Q: the EACD is clearly targeted at "in house" business communicators on a European corporate level. Why this focus?
A: For my part, I would struggle with all the intricacies involved in my job were it not for the support of SAP's global PR agency. Needless to say though, our roles are very different and associations clearly benefit from a clear focus. As a community at large, we could not survive without the support of those extended communicators, like our agencies and the like. As such, the EACD founding assembly was very articulate and unanimous regarding the need for this specific focus. As such, it then also makes sense that there are so many different associations already in existence, as you stated earlier.
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