McDowell was previously an IPRA Council Member for South Africa and is also an Executive Committee member of the Institute of Directors. "This appointment will ensure that South Africa is fully represented at international level in the public relations and communications community," she commented.
IPRA has more than 1000 members operating in 96 countries. It also runs the public relations awards programme, Golden World Award (GWA), which receives more than 300 entries annually and is judged by a jury representing more than 30 countries.
"Thanks mainly to the efforts of Mixael de Kock of the Maverick Group, IPRA membership from South Africa has doubled in the past few years. This member number strength, coupled with the GWA wins by both Maverick and Magna Carta earlier this year, will ensure that South Africa takes its place at the forefront of public relations activities in the world," McDowell said.
At a recent public relations summit in London it was noted that new entrants have the minimum qualification of a university degree and that PR has emerged as one of the preferred professions.
