CHICAGO - Strumpette announced today a month-long research project, "The PR Hope Survey." The publication is conducting an industry-wide assessment of the level of optimism that exists today among PR practitioners regarding the profession's future. The object is not to answer whether the industry is healthy or broken beyond repair; it is to see if the profession has the political will to make the necessary changes to move forward.

Amanda Chapel, managing editor of Strumpette said, "It's not about the money. Sure revenues are up and blogging seems like the 'next big thing;' but something's not right. We think there's an undercurrent, a silent majority if you will, that believes strongly that PR has lost its way. Perhaps if we determine exactly how the majority feel, we can cut through the hype and address the problems realistically."

The survey, comprising of 8 brief questions, takes less than 5 minutes to complete. [Click here to begin.]

Note that participation is totally anonymous and confidential. The records gleaned from survey responses do not contain any identifying information about respondents.

This just in to the news desk... apparently a group of activists posing as PR people have injected themselves into the Louisiana State Government. Posing as a staffer from the mega-PR firm Hill and Knowlton, a member of the activist group "The Yes Men" was able to book a fellow activist as a featured speaker at a major press event there.

The event featured Governor Kathleen Blanco and Mayor Ray Nagin discussing rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. Impersonating a representative from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the activist announced that local housing developments that are slated for demolition, would be rehabilitated instead. The activists contend that the condemned housing will be replaced with various housing out of financial reach to previous occupants.