The State of PR and Journalism (CPRS Vancouver)

In an age where misinformation spreads faster than facts, community media is collapsing, and “newsfluencers” are on the rise—what is the true state of journalism and public relations today?

Join CPRS Vancouver for a timely and hard-hitting panel discussion featuring some of the most respected voices in PR and journalism.

• Ticket includes one cocktail and light bites.
  
  Get ready for a powerhouse panel featuring Noa Nichol, the sharp and witty editor behind Vita Daily and VITA magazine; Fawn Mulcahy, a dynamic PR leader with 30+ years shaping campaigns from the Olympics to agency boardrooms; and Robin Cook Bondy, an award-winning PR educator and strategist with deep industry insight—this is your chance to learn from three women who have not only witnessed the evolution of media and communications, but have actively shaped it. Don’t miss the conversation everyone in PR and journalism should be part of.
  
  What We’ll Cover:
  The Value of Traditional Journalism
  Why trained journalists—with their commitment to fact-checking, balanced reporting, and source credibility—are still crucial in an era dominated by influencers and AI-generated content.

Editorial vs. Marketing Pitches
What PR pros need to know: how to craft editorial-worthy stories, the importance of audience-first messaging, and why credibility still matters more than clickbait.

When to Pay and When Not To
The ethics of paid media and sponsored content. What’s the difference between advertising and earned editorial? And why must transparency be non-negotiable?

The Rise of Newsfluencers & Fragmented Media
As podcasts, social platforms, and influencer commentary reshape the media space—how do we vet sources, verify credibility, and build communications strategies rooted in truth?

Media Literacy & Misinformation
How PR professionals can play a leading role in combating misinformation, championing ethical storytelling, and building media-literate audiences.

PR in a Changing World
Why public relations is more critical than ever for brands navigating risk, crisis, and reputation management—and how we, as communicators, can showcase our business impact.

Speaker Bios:

• Noa Nichol, Editor In Chief at Vita Daily and Vita Magazine – Noa started writing and editing in her early 20s at a gardening magazine where she learned that a) she doesn’t have a green thumb and b) she loves to play with words. A Ryerson University journalism grad, she’s edited everything from travel glossies to shopping guides, business weeklies to industry mags. In addition to her real-life four-year-old daughter, Noa considers Vita Daily and VITA, which she helped launch, to be her babies—pride, joy and all.
  
  
• Fawn Mulcahy – A seasoned PR professional with over 30 years of experience across agency, corporate, and freelance roles—beginning her career at The Barkley Gazeley Group and later serving as Account Director at Cossette Group with Optimum Public Relations and Altius Sport Marketing, before joining the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games as an Event Manager and eventually founding her own firm, The Fawnz Creative Communications Ltd.

• Robin Cook Bondy APR, MPR – An accomplished PR professional, educator, and consultant with over 20 years of experience working with leading organizations such as Nature’s Path, the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games, BC Lottery Corporation, Coast Capital Savings, and Starbucks Coffee, and she facilitates learning in public relations and applied communications at Kwantlen Polytechnic University.

• Moderated by Carolyn Rohaly, APR, President of CPRS Vancouver - Carolyn follows her dreams: she’s been an urban planner, fashion designer, international development worker, celebrity assistant, talent manager, entrepreneur, publicist - and she was even one of Canada’s first fashion bloggers. She now focuses on communications and has worked at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, United Way, and Rocky Mountaineer as a comms expert. Currently, she communicates the City of Vancouver's sustainability initiatives.

Together, they’ll unpack the evolving relationship between public relations and journalism—and what it takes to uphold trust, credibility, and integrity in an increasingly noisy landscape.

Why Attend?

This isn’t your average panel. It’s a real, raw, and insightful exploration of how communications professionals can lead with integrity—while navigating one of the most transformative periods in media history.

Come ready to ask bold questions, share your perspective, and connect with industry peers in a dynamic, welcoming environment. Whether you’re a PR pro, journalist, strategist, or content creator, this is your chance to engage in one of the most important conversations happening in our industry.

About CPRS Vancouver

The Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) Vancouver is a non-profit organization committed to advancing the profession of public relations through meaningful learning, dialogue, and connection. This event is part of our mission to equip communicators with the tools they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.