About PRIMEChat

Each month, the Institute for Public Relations and PRIME Research partner to bring many of the PR’s greatest communications researchers to you wherever and whenever you do business.  We invite you to join us each month for illuminating web conferences.  Each installment includes a presentation by the featured expert along with an extended question-and-answer session.  The presentations are informal, accessible and conversational.  Just in case we miss you, you are free to download the presentations here.  Stay tuned for upcoming events!

On-Demand Webinars

PRIMEChat: Better Insights. Better PR-ROI. – McDonald's USA https://sumo.ly/CHtCThis PRIMEChat features Molly McKenna Jandrain, Director, PR & Brand Engagement, McDonald’s USA. Molly will be interviewed by Sarab Kochhar, Ph.D., Director or Research at the Institute of Public Relations.PRIMEChat: Better Insights. Better PR-ROI. – KPMG LLP  https://sumo.ly/FkVqThis PRIMEChat features Christine N. Curtin, Director, Corporate Communications at KPMG LLP. Christine will be interviewed by PRIME CEO Mark Weiner, a Trustee of the Institute for Public Relations, a member of the Arthur Page Society and the author of books, essays and features about PR research.PRIMEChat: Better Insights. Better PR-ROI. – Dr. David Michaelson (Teneo)  https://sumo.ly/GNvTThis PRIMEChat features Dr. David Michaelson, Global Director of Research and Insights for Teneo. Dr. Michaelson will be interviewed by fellow IPR Commission member PRIME CEO Mark Weiner, a member of the Arthur Page Society and the author of books, essays and features about PR research.

About Our Host

Mark WeinerChief Executive OfficerPRIME Research Americas

One of the world’s largest corporate communications research and consulting firms, PRIME employs more than 500 analysts and consultants who combine talent with technology to foster better business decisions among its global clients. Weiner joined PRIME as CEO in 2008. Prior to PRIME, Weiner was the Global Director and Senior Vice President of Ketchum Research where he led an international team of analysts before which he was the CEO of Delahaye, a corporate communications research and consulting firm. Weiner founded Medialink Research in 1994 which became Delahaye Medialink in 1999 after the acquisition of The Delahaye Group. Weiner is a member of the PR News Measurement Hall of Fame and delivered the Distinguished Lecture in Public Relations at Quinnipiac University.Weiner is a member of the Arthur W. Page Society, serves as a Trustee and the 2017 Chairman of the Measurement Commission for The Institute for Public Relations, and serves on the Advisory Board of the Museum of Public Relations. He is a member of the International Association of Business Communicators, the Public Relations Society of America and AMEC. Weiner sits on the editorial advisory boards of The Strategist and PR News. He is a regular contributor to PR Week, IABC’s Communication World, PRSA’s Tactics and The Strategist, and Commpro.biz/PR-ROI, as well as an active participant at conferences by The Institute for Public Relations, The Conference Board, ABERJE, the Association of National Advertisers, The American Marketing Association, The Arthur Page Society, IABC and PRSA. Since 1993, he has devoted his career to helping many of the world’s most respected organizations and brands to demonstrate and generate a positive return on their investment in corporate and brand communications.

About Our Guests

Molly McKenna JandrainDirector, PR & Brand EngagementMcDonald's USA

As director of public relations for McDonald’s USA, Molly McKenna Jandrain oversees the public relations strategy to support McDonald’s U.S. business and brand. In this role she has held since 2012, Molly is responsible for developing and leading a strategic, measureable and integrated communications platform to effectively reach and engage defined audiences with McDonald’s story, business and brand actions.Prior to this position, Molly served as external communications manager for McDonald’s USA, where she was responsible for developing communications strategies that build and support McDonald’s national marketing efforts and Plan to Win business strategy. Molly also served as a founding member of McDonald’s Twitter team and helped establish McDonald’s blogger engagement practice.Molly served as global communications supervisor from 2002-2006, supporting public relations programming for McDonald’s international business in 100+ countries, and driving McDonald’s external communications efforts for sponsorships including the Olympic Games and World Cup Soccer.Molly leads McDonald’s National PR Agency Roundtable and is a member of McDonald’s Women’s Leadership Network and Young Professionals Network. She is the recipient of McDonald’s U.S. Communications peer nominated Most Valuable Player Award in 2008 and McDonald’s prestigious Circle of Excellence Team Award in 2004 and 2006, which recognizes top teams in business driving initiatives. 

Sarab Kochhar, Ph.DDirector of ResearchInstitute for Public Relations

Sarab Kochhar, Ph.D., is the Director of Research with the Institute for Public Relations (IPR). At IPR, she is the chief research strategist, advising and leading the Institute on priorities and research programs. Sarab also holds the position as the Associate director in APCO Worldwide’s Washington, D.C., office and serve as a strategic counsel for clients on measurement and evaluation for communication programs. Ms. Kochhar primarily works with clients across the globe to develop measurement techniques and provide insights to clients.She has worked in both public and private sectors and has led project teams in the areas of technology, aerospace and many other sectors in her work with Burson-Marsteller in Bangalore, India. At BM, she was also a part of the team to drive new business opportunities. She has also worked with the Government of Chandigarh, Punjab, and Haryana where she managed the tourism function, including sports, medical, health, and cultural tourism. She has also worked with Ketchum Research and Analytics Group in New York.Sarab received her Ph.D. in Public Relations from the University of Florida. She has authored book chapters and refereed conference papers, received the top paper award from PRSA Educators Academy, Chester Burger Award for Excellence in Public Relations from PRSA, and the Ketchum Public Relations Research Award presented by IPR. She also serves on the editorial board of PR Review. 

Christine CurtinDirector, Corporate CommunicationsKPMG LLP

Christine Curtin has more than 18 years of diverse experience in creating and executing strategic communications programs for corporate, broadcast and public affairs and print journalism. Seasoned communications professional with diverse public relations, media relations, broadcast and internal communications experience in financial services, public affairs and consulting. Joining KPMG in November 2012, Christine is Chief of Staff for the Corporate Communications team, managing the daily operations of a 72 person unit and working in concert with the organization’s leadership to develop, drive and execute communications strategy to deliver the firm’s strategic priorities. She spends much of her time focused on implementing systems and organizational improvements to increase efficiency, collaboration, while problem-solving and leveraging resources for effective communications programs. She is also dedicated to developing and executing comprehensive and strategic corporate communications initiatives and providing high-level counsel to senior staff on communications issues. Christine has additional experience in crisis communications, event production, and brand visibility. 

Dr. David MichaelsonGlobal Director of Research and InsightsTeneo

David Michaelson, Ph.D. has 37 years of experience conducting high quality, actionable research for numerous Fortune 500 and FTSE 100 companies as well as leading non-profits. His clients include MetLife, Johnson & Johnson, The Coca-Cola Company and AT&T. He has extensive experience in information technology, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, employee communications and media analysis.Dr. Michaelson is a research fellow of the Institute for Public Relations, recipient of the Jackson, Jackson & Wagner Behavioral Science Prize awarded for outstanding contributions to the research body of knowledge, 2009 Measurement/Research Expert of the Year and induction into the Measurement Hall of Fame in 2013. He has also received numerous other awards including two Silver Anvils from PRSA. Along with Dr. Don W. Stacks, he is the author of the award winning “A Professional and Practitioner’s Guide to Public Relations Research, Measurement, and Evaluation” and three other books on measurement.