We are pleased to bring you a new feature here on Strumpette: PR TREND LINKS. Unlike the empty placeholders other top bloggers (Rubel, et al.) throw out often when they've got absolutely NOTHING to say... we're going to bring you the links that hint at the emerging trends in the PR business. These are the true hidden stories shaping our ever-changing industry.

Without further ado, here are six fresh off the wire:

Traditional PR Regains Popularity -- In the age of the Internet, the creative magic that once was the hallmark of the industry is now returning. The International Herald Tribune has an interesting article about its resurgence in the hot Asian market.

PRSA Pushes Continuing Education -- The Public Relations Society of America has just launched a major initiative to help groom the next generation of practitioners. Here from the Associated Press, the St. Paul Minnesota Chapter demonstrates a few of their new and exciting programs.

WOMM Adapts to Fill Crisis Communications Need -- Certainly, one of the HOTTEST new areas to emerge in PR in the last decade is Word of Mouth Marketing (WOMM). However, up 'til now, all those efforts have been to influence proactively. Well, according to an article in LiveScience, researchers at Harvard and McGill University have now developed a technique for countering negative WOMM.

PR Industry Launches Initiative to Bolster Male Ranks -- Great article from Reuters about an effort in Australia to attract males to the public relations business. By conservative estimates more than 80 percent of the rank-and-file of the industry is now female; and of the remaining 20-ish percent, sexuality is most often quite... well... ambiguous. It's great to see someone taking the initiative to put a little healthy balance back in the system.

Video the Next Big Thing for PR 2.0 Crowd -- Forget podcasting! The PR 2.0 geeks are now racing to fill the void in their lives with video. There's a great article in Saturday's LA Times about how a group of entrepreneurs are now busy videographers. Like with most social media, they have yet to find a business model but it has thus far led to a lot of connections, networking and fun.

PR Sees Average Age of Consultants Drop -- Another article from Reuters about how a younger generation is now behind the wheel driving client account work and steering the industry. It is a VERY exciting time to be in PR.

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you come across a link of interest that you think best articulates the rapidly evolving PR business, please send them to Links AT strumpette DOT com.  Thank you.