It seems like the majority of people who get out of the media wind up moving to PR . . . Can anyone with experience speak to how this happens? Do PR agencies actively seek well-known on-air personalities . . . do burned out talent pound the pavement . . . is it just networking?

Oh really? And just where did you come up with that?

Just my own observations . . . it seems like half the time someone gets out of the business, they head into the PR field . . . not everybody, but it seems like certainly the most popular field to move to . . .

I think I'd agree.... the first ones that come to mind are Paula Gunness (x-KATU), Jan Marks (x-KGW) and Gary Wall (x-KATU?)... all working -or have worked- doing some sort of PR for Providence Portland Med Center.

Another would be Kelly Love (x-KGW) who's doing the PR duties for Congressman Brian Baird's office.

There must be a slew of others. It does seem to be a logical jump, given the face/name recognition and the long list of media contacts they have available to them.

Hillary Hutchison

I still miss Kelly Love. She is very, very bright. Baird was lucky to get her.

Kelly was one of my faves as well... not a bunch of fake glam or hype, just a pleasant straightforward approach. Very down-to-earth and smart. I miss her lots and would love to see her back on the tube.

maybe PR pays better???

Could be. I never noticed that trend, with the exception of the aforementioned "high profile" names. I know I'd certainly be interested in making more money.

Didn't Bruce Pokarney get a PR job after he left 620 KGW? Dept. of Agriculture?

It's very common for tv, radio and print reporters to make the jump to PR. The skills you use are very similar and knowing how to work one side makes you better at the other. I can think of at least 10 that I worked with while I was a reporter, including Bruce Pokarney. The non-profits and government agencies are filled with former reporters working as spokespeople. And yes, in most cases it does pay more and there is more job security.

And it's not just PR that makes a good option after a radio career. I've had a few writing jobs at national publications that were creative and fun. Advertising is another option. Radio may not feel the need for those skills these days, but others really do.

Dave Thompson, Cindy Hanson, Joanne McCall, to name a few.

It does seem like a logical progression... many skills from sales and on-air talent can be applied to PR.

It is happening here, too. Steve Hogle is the third generation of News Director at CFRN-TV Edmonton. His grandfather was there at sign-on in 1954!

Yes, Steve just resigned to become the VP of PR for the Alberta Research Council. One local newspaper columnist, who specializes in Radio and TV, quoted Steve as implying that too much of his decision-making power has been taken away by those in Toronto, especially after the station was renamed CTV Edmonton a few years, and the CTV network was purchased by Bell Canada.