MIAMI—Agency CEOs from four continents will be among the panelists discussing the future of the public relations business at The Holmes Report’s Independent Public Relations Firms Forum, to be held as part of the first Global Public Relations Summit in Miami next month.

The draft agenda for the Forum is published below.

Sponsored by thenetworkone, the Independent Public Relations Firms Forum will take place over a half day on October 29, and will feature discussion of critical issues, including the ability to attract and retain top talent; new challenges in new business, and particularly dealing with procurement professionals; and the changing competitive landscape.

Speakers from Europe include Tom Beckman of Sweden’s Prime PR, Ralf Hering of Germany’s Hering Schuppener, and Frederik Lofthagen of Interel in Belgium; North America will be represented by Christine Barney of rbb Public Relations and Peter Finn of Finn Partners; Eduardo Vieira of Agencia Ideal in Brazil and Jasper Eyears of Another Company in Mexico will be there from Latin America; and Nitin Mantri of Avian Media will be there from Asia.

Tickets for the Independent Public Relations Forum are available separately ($500 each) or as part of Global Summit registration.

MONDAY OCTOBER 29

INDEPENDENT PR FIRMS FORUM

1400-1410
Welcome and Introduction
Paul Holmes, CEO of The Holmes Group
Julian Boulding, founder and president, thenetworkone

1410-1500
Attracting and Retaining Top Talent
The best public relations firms recognize how the value-chain works: good people attract good clients, resulting in good profits. Getting the people side of the equation right is ever more critical, and this panel—featuring firms that have earned high marks in The Holmes Report's Best Consultancies to Work For research discussing the secrets of their success—will provide advice on building an “employer of choice” culture.
Moderator: Paul Holmes, CEO of The Holmes Group
Panelists include Christine Barney, rbb Public Relations; Leslie Campisi, Hotwire; Ralf Hering, Hering Schuppener

1500-1550
New Challenges in New Business
What are today's clients really looking for in hiring a PR firm? Is the balance changing between excellence and cost efficiency? Is the balance shifting between communications, marketing and the CEO? Is the growing roe of "procurement" departments changing the landscape? How are the leaders of the world's top firms responding to the new demands of today's clients? Julian Boulding, founder of thenetworkone, talks to the principals of forward-looking PR firms and one of the most challenging figures from the client side.
Moderator: Julian Boulding, thenetworkone
Panelists include Nitin Mantri, Avian Media; Chris McCafferty, Kaper; Eduardo Vieira, Agencia Ideal

1550-1610
Coffee Break, networking

1610-1700
The Changing Competitive Landscape
The internet transformed the means of communication: social media is transforming the manner of communication. Are bloggers replacing journalists? Is peer evaluation replacing the role of opinion formers? How are today's PR firms developing the skills and expertise necessary for today's rapidly changing world? Can traditional media relations agencies compete? Tom Beckman interviews a cross-section of the industry: four heads of PR firms with very different approaches to managing and enhancing their clients' reputations.
Moderator: Tom Beckman, partner and creative director, PrimePR
Panelists include Jasper Eyears, Another Company; Peter Finn, Finn Partners; Frederik Lofthagen, Interel

1700-1720
Conclusion and Questions
Moderator: Paul Holmes, The Holmes Report
Panelists: Tom Beckman, PrimePR; Julian Boulding, thenetworkone

1800-2000
Cocktail Reception