January 2026 Newsletter 
President's Report
Hello Greater Cleveland PRSA Members,
I’m honored to write to you for the first time as president of our Chapter. Thank you for the trust you’ve placed in me and in our board as we begin an ambitious and exciting year.
First, gratitude. Our Chapter enters 2026 from a position of strength. I want to take a moment to thank Bobby Batyko, the 2025 board, and our sponsors for their support. Last year, we improved our financial position, deepened member engagement through in‑person programming, and enhanced board operations. These wins give us real momentum and a solid foundation for the work that comes next.
This year, our focus is simple.
- Grow. Expand sponsorship, strengthen relationships with organizations across Northeast Ohio, and invest in membership.
- Engage. Deliver meaningful offerings—events, mentoring, APR development, and the Rocks Awards—that reflect the value PRSA offers at every career stage.
- Develop. Collaborate with PRSSA chapters to inspire and support the next generation of communicators.
Behind all of this is one belief: When public relations professions connect, we elevate our work, inspire creativity, and achieve great outcomes. This year, I hope we tap into that spirit to support one another, celebrate wins, help each other grow, and build a Chapter that reflects the best of who we are.
Whether you’ve been a member for twenty years or twenty days, this Chapter is yours—and your perspective helps us make it stronger. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me, or a member of our board, if we can enhance your membership or experience.
Thank you for being part of this community.
Katie Archer
Meet the Board!
PRSA Greater Cleveland is proud to introduce the dedicated professionals who will lead our Chapter in 2026. This year’s board represents a dynamic mix of experienced leaders, strategic thinkers, and passionate advocates for the PR and communications community across Northeast Ohio.
Executive Committee
Katie Archer, President
Samantha Farland, President-Elect
Bobby Batyko, Immediate Past President & Sponsorship Chair
Jocelynn Clemings, Treasurer
Rachel Fleig, Secretary
Briana Cooper, MPA, APR Cooper, VP Programming
Christine Chenevey, VP Membership
Shelley M. Shockley Shockley, VP Diversity & Inclusion
Samantha Farland, VP Communications
Beth Thomas, Ph.D., PRSSA Liaison
Rosemarie Ascherl-Lenhard, Mentoring Chair
Sydney A. Stone, MSOD, APR, Chapter Advisor & APR Chair
Directors At-Large
Ralph J. Davila, APR Davila, APR, Akron Liaison
Emily Brazytis, Director At-Large
Kristin P. (Rocks), Director At-Large
Charlie Hatch, Director At-Large
Hanna Chodzin, Director At-Large
Chris Lynch, APR, Fellow PRSA, Chapter Advisor
We look forward to a year of innovation, professional growth, and continued commitment to elevating the practice of public relations across Greater Cleveland and Akron. Here’s to 2026!
Mentorship Program
Accelerate Your PR Career with a Mentor
Early-career PR can be exciting and overwhelming. Mastering writing, pitching, and media strategy is essential, but having someone to guide you through real-world challenges can make all the difference.
That’s where the Greater Cleveland PRSA Mentorship Program comes in.
Why It Helps
Mentorship gives you:
- Personalized advice from seasoned PR pros
- Honest, objective feedback
- Practical insights on everything from pitching to crisis comms
How It Works
- Mentees: 1–5 years of experience
- Mentors: 7+ years in the field
- Six-month program with monthly meetups
- Flexible format tailored to each pair
Many participants build connections that last well beyond the program.
Ready to Grow?
Take the next step in your PR journey and build relationships that will support your career for years to come. Learn more: prsacleveland.org/Mentorship_Program
Monthly Blog
2026 PR Trends Every Communicator Should Be Watching
The PR landscape is entering a major period of transformation in 2026, shaped by rapid shifts in technology, shrinking newsrooms, and rising expectations for measurable impact. These trends are reshaping how communicators across Greater Cleveland and beyond build visibility and trust.
AI Moves from Tool to Teammate
AI is becoming a core part of PR operations, handling research, drafting, monitoring, and reporting. Organizations are increasingly creating editorial guidelines to ensure AI‑generated content remains consistent and authentic across channels. This shift frees PR pros to focus more on strategy, creativity, and relationship‑building. [businesswire.com], [cision.com]
Visibility Now Depends on How AI Describes You
Generative AI platforms are becoming a primary way audiences discover information, meaning brand visibility increasingly depends on being cited by these systems. Strong earned media and consistent messaging improve the likelihood that generative engines surface your brand in answers—an evolution from traditional SEO to Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). [prdaily.com]
The Rise of Narrative Intelligence
Disinformation, deepfakes, and coordinated online influence campaigns are redefining reputation risk. Traditional media monitoring is no longer sufficient; teams now need “narrative intelligence” to understand how stories spread, who is driving them, and where text, visuals, and identity manipulation intersect. [prdaily.com]
Media Relations Gets More Competitive
Shrinking newsrooms and fragmented channels have made it harder than ever to break through. Journalists face overwhelming inboxes, and communicators must deliver sharper, data‑driven pitches to earn attention. Nearly 60% of PR pros cite the changing media landscape as their biggest challenge heading into 2026. [cision.com]
Storytelling and Authenticity Still Win
Even as technology accelerates communication, human‑centered storytelling remains the most valued PR skill. Industry data shows that storytelling and content creation will be the top in‑demand skill for PR professionals in 2026, followed closely by media relations, even as AI tools grow more sophisticated. [cision.com]
ROI Becomes Non‑Negotiable
As budgets tighten, PR teams must show how communications influence revenue, trust, and loyalty. Many professionals still struggle to link PR outcomes to business results, making ROI measurement the defining credibility test of the year. Teams that connect earned media to pipeline impact will be best positioned to secure support and investment. [onclusive.com]
What This Means for PRSA Greater Cleveland Members
For communications and marketing professionals across Northeast Ohio, these trends present a chance to lead with agility, creativity, and strategic insight. Whether you work in agency, corporate, nonprofit, or government, the themes are clear:
- Invest in new tools but keep humans at the center.
- Prioritize credibility and trust with every audience.
- Strengthen relationships with journalists and creators.
- Build your measurement capabilities.
- And above all, keep telling great stories.
Our Chapter will continue offering resources and professional development opportunities throughout the year to support you as these industry shifts unfold.
Anniversaries
Congratulations to our members who have reached another year with the Chapter this month!
Reminders
WE want your feedback!
Click HERE to complete the Membership Feedback Survey.
Send your company or professional news!
Do you have company PR, marketing, and/or communications milestones to share with the Chapter? Send your news and updates to Samantha Farland, VP Communications/President Elect at [email protected] to be featured!
interested in speaking opportUNITIES?
Contact Briana Cooper at [email protected] for details.
