Here, we are pleased to bring you the Second Edition of: PR TREND LINKS.

Again, we're not about to foist the empty placeholders regularly employed by other top bloggers (Rubel, et al.). No, this isn't because we can't think of anything to say.  Rather, we're connecting the dots to bring you the links that hint at the emerging trends in the PR business. These are the true hidden stories that are presently reshaping this rapidly-changing industry.

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

PR Billing at All Time High -- According to the StevensGouldPincus Annual Benchmarking Survey, PR firm profit margins at their highest level ever! On average, firms had an operating profit of 22 percent in '06. The factors attributed to the increase include: tightening the reigns on salaries and bonuses; getting juniors to work faster; and getting all staff professionals to bill prolifically. Clients are feeling the change.

Excitement Builds for Business Blogging Conference -- Chicago, September 17-19: This is the premier conference on business blogging in the Midwest this year. See you there.

Web 2.0 Sees Huge Return in Community and Family Values -- If there's one thing that this iteration of the Net has brought to the masses... it is the tremendous facility it has with creating genuine community. These new tools and their always-on asymmetrical nature has resulted in an huge abundance of time for family and friends.

Travel PR Focuses on Daring New Hot Spots -- Tired of that trip to the Jersey Shore? This year take you family on a trip of a lifetime. Thanks to PR, there's now a resurgence in the spirit of exploration.

The Era of Naked Conversations May Be Fading -- The huge fad inspired by the runaway business bestseller "Naked Conversations" by celebrity bloggers Robert Scoble and Shel Israel may be getting a little long in the tooth. Apparently, communities throughout the country are now beginning to crack down on the practice. File this one under TMI.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Special thanks to Josh, Sarah and Amy for forwarding these links.

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. Thanks.

- Amanda