Institute for Public Relations

What Institute for Public Relations does

The Institute for Public Relations (IPR) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation founded in 1956 and headquartered in Gainesville, Florida, that conducts and disseminates research on public relations and corporate communication practice. It operates five Centers of Excellence covering behavioral insights, diversity/equity/inclusion, digital media, measurement, and organizational communication, and produces signature annual studies including the IPR Disinformation in Society Report (now in its fifth edition) and the Language of Diversity report. Its product surface is a research aggregation and dissemination platform rather than a software product: a free online research library, a weekly Research Letter e-newsletter, monthly webinars, the IPR Master Class certificate series (including generative AI training), the AI/ESG/Disinformation/Mental Health Resource Hubs, the Public Relations Journal (co-published with PRSA), and a video series ('In A Car with IPR'). The organization serves mid/senior PR professionals (IPR ELEVATE membership), new professionals (IPR NEXT membership), PR academics, and corporate communication leaders including CCOs, and reaches a global audience through its website and active social channels on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

IPR's revenue model is a hybrid of subscription membership dues from ELEVATE and NEXT tiers (pricing not publicly disclosed), research sponsorships from industry partners (including Ragan, Leger, Edelman, Peppercomm, AMEC, USC Annenberg, and The Grossman Group), donations via its 'Become a Friend of IPR' program, and event-based revenue from the annual Bridge Conference, Awards Gala, and member retreats. Research reports, webinars, and the PR Journal are distributed free of charge, indicating the organization monetizes through community access and sponsorship rather than content paywalls. The organization is led by President and CEO Dr. Tina McCorkindale, APR, governed by a Board of Trustees (chaired by Peppercomm CEO Steve Cody), and operates with a small staff of 1-10 employees. There is no parent company, no equity funding history, and no disclosed financial statements.

Name

Institute for Public Relations

Legal name

Institute for Public Relations

Website

https://instituteforpr.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1956

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Institute for Public Relations is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation founded in 1956 that conducts and disseminates public relations and corporate communication research, running membership programs, research centers, signature studies, and educational programming for PR professionals and academics worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Relations Research & Education

NAICS

Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling (541910), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Scholarly Society & Association Publishing (EDAGAFAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Scholarly Societies & Conference Proceedings Publishing (MPAJABAK), Policy, Regulatory & Public Affairs Research (BPAHALAF), Social Sciences Scholarly Publishing (EDAGAFAD)

Keywords

• Public relations research
• Corporate communication studies
• PR professional association
• Disinformation research reports
• PR measurement education

Headquarters

HQ city

Gainesville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: IPR generates revenue through two membership tiers: IPR ELEVATE for mid/senior level professionals and IPR NEXT for new professionals. These membership programs provide access to exclusive content, events, and professional development resources.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Institute for Public Relations is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation that conducts and disseminates public relations and corporate communication research. Its core offerings include a free online Research Library, a weekly Research Letter e-newsletter, a Master Class certificate series, monthly webinars, signature studies such as the annual Disinformation in Society Report, and five Centers of Excellence covering behavioral insights, DEI, digital media, measurement, and organizational communication. Two paid membership tiers (IPR ELEVATE for mid/senior professionals and IPR NEXT for new professionals) provide tiered access to research, events, and professional development resources.

Product overview

The Institute for Public Relations operates as a research and education organization (501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1956) offering a portfolio of interconnected research products and professional development services. Its core offerings include the IPR Research Library and Research Letter (research dissemination), Master Class Series and Webinars (educational programming), and Signature Studies including annual Disinformation Reports. The organization houses five Centers of Excellence: Behavioral Insights Research Center, Center for Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Digital Media Research Center, Measurement Commission, and Organizational Communication Research Center. Membership programs (IPR ELEVATE for senior professionals and IPR NEXT for new professionals) provide access to these resources. Additional offerings include Resource Hubs (AI, ESG, Disinformation), event programming (Bridge Conference, Awards Gala), and video series. The organization focuses on applied research in public relations and corporate communication rather than a traditional software product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IPR ELEVATE: Membership program for mid/senior level professionals
• IPR NEXT
• IPR Master Class
• In A Car with IPR
• IPR Research Letter
• IPR Behavioral Insights Research Center
• IPR Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• IPR Digital Media Research Center
• IPR Measurement Commission
• IPR Organizational Communication Research Center

Products and services

• IPR Research Library Comprehensive online library of public relations and corporate communication research, white papers, and reports, freely available to PR professionals and academics.
• IPR Research Letter Weekly e-newsletter delivering the latest research findings in the field of public relations for immediate practical application by PR and communication professionals.
• IPR Master Class Series Interactive certificate series for PR and communication professionals to learn and discuss critical research-based topics in strategic communication, including on-demand generative AI training.
• IPR Webinars Free monthly webinars featuring new and timely research that impacts the PR profession, covering behavioral insights, DEI, ESG, health communication, internal communication, and digital media/emerging technology, with playback available.
• In A Car with IPR Video interview series featuring leaders in the communications and public relations industry, offering insights through conversational-format content.
• Behavioral Insights Research Center (BIRC) IPR Center of Excellence dedicated to research on attitude formation, behavior change, crisis management strategy, decision making, framing, information processing, narratives and persuasion, nudges, risk communication, source credibility, stakeholder behavior, and workplace topics.
• Digital Media Research Center IPR Center of Excellence examining how AI-powered answer engines impact brand reputation, social media measurement, digital media trends, and earned media visibility in AI-driven search environments.
• IPR Disinformation in Society Report Annual signature study tracking disinformation concerns in society, examining sources of trust, false information spread, and actions to combat misinformation, produced in partnership with Leger since 2019.
• The Language of Diversity Report Signature study examining how communications and PR leaders define diversity, equity, and inclusion, revealing inconsistencies in terminology usage across the industry, co-developed with The Wakeman Agency.
• IPR ELEVATE Membership Membership tier designed for mid/senior-level PR and communication professionals, offering access to research, events, retreats, and professional development resources.
• IPR NEXT Membership Membership tier for new PR and communication professionals, providing entry-level resources, networking, retreats, and professional development opportunities.
• AI Resource Hub Centralized resource hub providing AI-related research, insights, and educational content for communicators on artificial intelligence applications in public relations.
• IPR Edelman Trust Barometer Analysis Collaborative annual research providing analysis of trust trends across institutions, examining how trust dynamics evolve and impact organizational reputation, produced in partnership with Edelman.
• IPR Annual Awards Gala Annual awards ceremony recognizing excellence in public relations research and practice, including the IPR Lifetime Achievement Award, Pathfinder Award, and various student awards.
• IPR Bridge Conference Annual in-person conference bringing together PR professionals and researchers to explore emerging trends, research presentations, and networking in the field of public relations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 63% of Americans view disinformation as a major problem (2019 IPR Disinformation Report)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Ragan CommunicationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint survey partner with IPR on research about communicators and business acumen. Ragan Communications is a leading publisher serving corporate communicators and HR professionals with news, research, and professional development resources.
• LegercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual research partner for the IPR-Leger Disinformation in Society Report series, conducting surveys of U.S. adults on misinformation attitudes. The partnership has produced multiple editions from 2019 through 2025.
• The Wakeman AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-researcher with IPR on the Language of Diversity study, examining how communications leaders define and discuss DEI in organizations. Surveyed 393 communications and PR leaders in 2021.
• EdelmancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership on Edelman Trust Barometer presentations and analysis. IPR hosts webinars featuring Trust Barometer findings and collaborates on research about trust in institutions, corporations, and media.
• PeppercommmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch sponsor and strategic partner on multiple IPR studies including the Navigating a Changing Media Landscape report and The Dialogue Project. Steve Cody, Peppercomm CEO, serves as IPR Board Chair.
• AMEC (International Association for Measurement and Evaluation of Communication)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner with IPR Measurement Commission on PR measurement standards including the Barcelona Principles. Joint webinars on measurement best practices and AI's impact on PR measurement.
• Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presenter of the Public Relations Journal, a free open-access quarterly academic journal. Partnership amplifies academic research to PR practice.
• USC Annenberg Center for Public RelationsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on Global Communication Reports and research about the future of PR. IPR hosts webinars featuring Annenberg research on corporate activism and PR education.
• FullintelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAngela Dwyer, VP of Insights at Fullintel, serves as Director of IPR Measurement Commission. Fullintel contributes expertise to PR measurement research initiatives.
• Commission on Public Relations Education (CPRE)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIPR hosted webinar on CPRE report 'Navigating Change: Recommendations for Advancing Undergraduate PR Education' exploring trends shaping PR education.
• The Grossman GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-researcher with IPR on Employee Engagement in the Communications Industry study. Partnership produces research on internal communication and employee engagement.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• PRCA (Public Relations and Communications Association): UK-based PR trade body offering membership, training, and research to communications professionals. Comparable in membership-and-research model but primarily serves the UK/EMEA market rather than competing directly with IPR in North America.
• Global Alliance for Public Relations: International confederation of PR associations and bodies. Comparable as a global convener of the PR profession but operates at an international federation level rather than as a U.S.-based research foundation.
• International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO): Global body representing PR consultancies. Comparable as a profession-level convener and standards-setter, but represents agency-side interests internationally rather than conducting research from a U.S. nonprofit base.

Others

• Ragan Communications: Media and events company serving corporate communicators with news, training, and research. A documented IPR research partner (joint communicator surveys) with adjacent audience and content offerings rather than direct competition.
• Pew Research Center: Nonpartisan research organization producing public opinion data on media, technology, and society. Comparable as a nonprofit that publishes influential longitudinal surveys used by PR professionals, but focused on broader public policy rather than PR practice specifically.

Direct peers

• AMEC (International Association for Measurement and Evaluation of Communication): Global professional body for PR measurement and evaluation, including stewardship of the Barcelona Principles. IPR is a documented AMEC partner, and both organizations serve overlapping audiences of senior communicators with research and standards-driven content.
• Arthur W. Page Society: Invitation-only organization of chief communications officers and PR leaders focused on advancing the practice and profession. Directly comparable to IPR's ELEVATE-level senior professional community and its research-driven mission.
• Commission on Public Relations Education (CPRE): Coalition producing influential reports on PR education (e.g., 'Navigating Change'). A documented IPR webinar partner focused on academic and practitioner collaboration, closely aligned with IPR's education and research mandate.
• USC Annenberg Center for Public Relations: Leading academic center producing Global Communication Reports and PR research. A documented IPR partner with overlapping research topics (corporate activism, future of PR, education) and a comparable mission of bridging scholarship and practice.

Broad incumbents

• Public Relations Society of America (PRSA): Largest U.S. professional association for PR practitioners. Comparable to IPR through its membership programs, continuing education, and co-presentation of the open-access Public Relations Journal with IPR, though PRSA is far larger and broader in scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/InstituteforPR
• Facebookfacebook.com/instituteforpublicrelations
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institute-for-pr
• Instagraminstagram.com/instituteforpr
• TikToktiktok.com/@instituteforpr
• Xx.com/jmoyeripr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Institute for Public Relations