Business

7 Ways Public Relations Has Changed Over The Past Decades

Published

3 years ago

October 21, 2022

Though the fundamental principles of public relations remain the same, the industry has nevertheless evolved considerably over the past ten years. With the rise of social media and the 24-hour news cycle, among other things, the way PR pros do their jobs has changed in some pretty significant ways.

The field of public relations has undergone a lot of changes over the past few decades. With the advent of new technology, the way a digital PR agency practices have changed drastically. Here are six ways PR has changed over the years.

1. The Rise of Social Media

In the past, PR practitioners relied heavily on print media to get their client’s messages out there. However, with the rise of social media, that has all changed. Now, PR practitioners can use platforms like Twitter and Facebook to reach a wider audience and get their clients’ messages out there quickly and easily.

2. The Decline of Traditional News Sources

With the rise of social media, we’ve also seen a decline in traditional news sources. More and more people are getting their news from online sources, making it harder for PR practitioners to get their clients’ messages in front of the right people.

3. The Need for Speed

In the past, PR practitioners had a little more time to craft their pitches and get them out to journalists. However, with the 24-hour news cycle, that has all changed. Now, PR practitioners need to be able to think on their feet and put together a pitch quickly if they want to get their client’s message in front of the right people.

4. The Importance of Visuals

In the past, a well-written press release was all you needed to get your client’s message across. However, nowadays, visuals are just as important (if not more important) than words when it comes to getting your message across. PR practitioners need to be able to create catchy visuals that will grab attention and make people want to learn more about their client’s products or services.

5. The Changing Landscape of Media Relations

In the past, most PR practitioners focused on getting their clients’ messages in front of journalists who worked for traditional news outlets. However, with the rise of digital media, that landscape has changed dramatically. Now, PR practitioners need to be able to identify influencers in all different types of digital media if they want to get their clients’ messages out there.

6. There Is More Focus on Measuring Results

Ten years ago, PR was more of an art than a science. But nowadays, there is much more of an emphasis on measurement and data-driven decision-making. Thanks to tools like Google Analytics and Hootsuite Insights, PR pros can track how many people see their messages and determine which tactics work best for them. This shift towards data-driven decision-making has changed the way PR pros operate on a day-to-day basis.

7. Crisis Management Is on the Rise

In today’s world of 24/7 news coverage and social media scrutiny, one misstep can quickly turn into a full-blown crisis. As a result, crisis management has become an essential part of any good PR strategy. If you don’t have a plan in place for handling a crisis, you’re putting your whole business at risk.

Final Thoughts

Public relations has come a long way over the past few decades – and it shows no signs of slowing down any time soon! By staying ahead of the curve and adapting to the changing landscape of media relations, PR practitioners can continue to be successful in getting their clients’ messages out there loud and clear.

The world of PR has changed dramatically in the past ten years, thanks to social media and the 24-hour news cycle. These days, companies have to be very careful about what they say and when they say it because there’s always a risk that something could blow up overnight and cause serious damage to their reputation. So while social media has given companies more control over their message, it’s also made them more accountable for what they say. If you want your company to succeed in today’s PR landscape, you need to be prepared for anything.

Business

Click for Counsel: YesLawyer Wants to Make Lawyers as Accessible as Wi-Fi

Published

1 day ago

April 1, 2026

Matthew Wiles

Photo Courtesy of: YesLawyer

Byline: Andi Stark

For many people facing a legal problem, the most difficult part is not understanding their rights but finding a lawyer willing to speak with them in the first place. Long wait times, unclear pricing, and administrative hurdles often delay even the most basic consultations. YesLawyer, an AI-enabled plaintiff firm operating across all 50 states, is testing whether technology can shorten that gap.

Founded in 2024 by 25-year-old entrepreneur Rob Epstein, the platform offers free intake, automated screening, and, in many cases, same-day conversations with licensed attorneys. The idea is simple: reduce the friction between a client’s first request for help and an actual legal discussion. In this interview, Epstein explains how the system works, where artificial intelligence fits into the process, and what problems the company is trying to address in the broader legal system

Q: When you say you want lawyers to be “as accessible as Wi-Fi,” what does that mean in practical terms?

A: It’s a way of describing speed and availability. Someone dealing with a workplace dispute, a serious injury, or an immigration issue should be able to move from an online form or phone call to a real conversation with counsel in hours, not weeks. YesLawyer is structured so that a client begins with a free case evaluation, goes through automated conflict checks and basic screening, and, in many instances, speaks with a lawyer the same day.

Q: How does the process work once someone contacts the platform?

A: We use a structured workflow. It starts with a short questionnaire and an initial conversation to capture basic facts. That information feeds into conflict checks and internal review. The system then proposes a match with a licensed attorney and provides a calendar link for a virtual consultation, often within 24 hours. After the meeting, the client receives a written legal plan outlining next steps, deadlines, and estimated fees.

Q: Where does artificial intelligence fit into that process, and where does it stop?

A: AI is used for organizing and routing information, not for giving legal advice. It helps with conflict checks at scale, case categorization, and structured summaries so attorneys can focus on the substance of the matter. Every consultation is conducted by a licensed lawyer, and all decisions about strategy or next steps are made by humans.

Q: What problem is this model trying to solve in the current legal system?

A: Delay and cost are still major barriers. Many civil plaintiffs face long waits just to get a first appointment, along with high retainers and hourly billing that make early legal advice risky. We try to respond with faster consultations, flat-fee options, and financing. The idea is to remove administrative friction so lawyers spend less time on logistics and more time speaking with clients.

Q: Some critics say platforms like this blur the line between a technology company and a law firm. How do you describe YesLawyer?

A: We describe ourselves as a national, AI-enabled plaintiff firm that connects clients with independent attorneys. That structure does raise regulatory questions, especially around responsibility and oversight. We focus on licensing verification, attorney-written case plans, and clear communication about fees and services.

Q: You’ve said the main bottleneck is “systems” rather than people. What do you mean by that?

A: The issue isn’t that lawyers don’t want to help more people. It’s that the systems around them make it hard to scale their time. Intake, scheduling, and document handling take hours. Automating those parts means attorneys can handle more matters without being overwhelmed by repetitive tasks.

Q: Does this model risk favoring only the most profitable cases?

A: That’s a real concern in legal technology. Automation often works best for repeatable, high-volume disputes. Our view is that lowering administrative cost can actually make it easier to take on smaller or more complex cases that might otherwise be turned away. Whether that holds over time depends on the data.

Measuring Impact Over Time

YesLawyer’s attempt to compress the timeline between inquiry and consultation reflects broader changes in how legal services are being delivered. As artificial intelligence becomes more common in administrative work, firms are experimenting with new ways to reduce wait times and clarify costs.

The company’s early growth suggests that many clients value faster access to an initial conversation, even before considering long-term representation. Whether this platform-based model becomes widely adopted or remains one of several emerging approaches will depend on regulatory developments, lawyer participation, and measurable outcomes for clients. For now, YesLawyer’s experiment highlights a central question in modern legal practice: how quickly can help realistically be made available to the people who need it.