The Holmes Report is partnering with the USC Annenberg Center for Public Relations on global research that will build on the former’s World PR Report—and definitive global ranking of PR agencies—and the latter’s long-running GAP (Generally Accepted Practices Study) of corporate communications planning.

The new Global Communications Report will include the views of senior in-house communications leaders and agency principals from around the world to create a comprehensive overview of the state of the public relations industry.

The research will involve several leading PR organizations from around the world, including the Global Alliance for Public Relations & Communications Management, the Institute for Public Relations, and the PR Council—with additional partners to be announced in the coming weeks.

In addition, executive search firm Capstone Hill has helped with the development of talent-related questions and will provide analysis of trends in staff recruitment and retention.

According to Fred Cook, director of the USC Annenberg Center for Public Relations, the Global Communications Report is “a vastly expanded and redesigned version of what was previously known as the GAP study. It will focus on identifying and understanding emerging trends in the global communications industry and help senior communicators stay on the forefront of industry trends as they manage their organizations, develop strategy and prepare for the future.  

“The results will also help those entering the PR industry to better understand the skills and traits they will need to be successful in this fast-changing profession.”

Paul Holmes, founder and CEO of The Holmes Group, added: “We have always been committed to expanding the body of knowledge about this industry, in tracking its growth and in identifying key trends and issues.

“The World PR Report previously focused exclusively on the agency business, while the GAP study was the most comprehensive overview of best practices and budgetary issues on the client side of the business. The new Global Communications Report will provide unprecedented insight into the way the communications profession is developing globally."