About Us
The PR Training Academy came about as a response to the changing needs of the fastmoving communications industry. We are committed to delivering relevant and time efficient training that is tailored to the specific needs of our clients.
Why Choose The PR Training Academy?
The PR Training Academy was created in response to a real industry need. Independent global research indicated that PR Professionals are drowning in information sources. You need help keeping abreast of changes, but you are time poor. You are working in a global industry that is fiercely competetive. You need to constantly upskill. The Academy is the resource you have been looking for.
The PR training Academy is specifically designed to provide bite-sized training, suitable for our current commuter-style living. We provide courses which are “Just in Time, Just Enough and Just for Me”.
Created by PR professionals, for PR professionals. A membership with the Academy will keep you abreast of changing trends in the industry. We guarantee 24 new courses each year, six each quarter, to give you up-to-date resources when you need them. Our courses are available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You control your learning experience, where you want, when you want.
Experience
The PR Training Academy is built on years to professional and academeic experience in the Communications Industry. Our courses reflect industry change and trends and are delivered from the perspective of a PR Professional.
Our founder, Ellen Gunning, has been working in the PR industry for the past 25 years and is author of the core text “Public Relations: A Practical Approach” (Macmillan Higher Education UK, 3rd Edition, October 2018), which is studied by third level students internationally.
The Academy’s team members are highly networked and reflect a breadth of communications experience spanning International Public Relations, Media, Higher Education and Online Learning.
The Academy’s courses are mentored by a team of experienced communications professsionals who are here to offer you advice and guidance. The team reflects the diversity of our members and ensures that our courses reflect industry needs in Europe, the USA, Australia, Asia and the Middle East.
As a member of the PR Training Academy, you will have exclusive access to a suite of courses that will enhance your knowledge and add value to your skillset.
The Team
The PR Training Academy’s team is led by our director Ellen Gunning. The team is enhanced by Financial Director Michael Kealy and COO Colette Newport. Our global team of professional mentors and panel of industry advisers complete this amazing team.
Ellen Gunning
Director
Ellen is a thought leader, author of the academic textbook (Public Relations, a Practical Approach, Macmillan Higher Education International, UK, 3rd edition, October 2018), and founder of the online training provider, The Irish Academy of Public Relations. An international conference speaker and lecturer, Ellen is globally networked through IPRA (past national president), PRII (conferred with a fellowship), EADL (central council member, 5 million online students), SERAS CSR Awards for Africa (board member), Dublin City FM (chairman of the board of directors), and active membership of PRSA, NUJ, EAJ and the World Trade Centres. Ellen is a regular media commentator on Breakfast Television (Virgin Media 1).
Michael Kealy
Financial Director
Michael has 35 years’ experience in financial strategic management. A director of Dublin City FM radio station and Company Solutions Ltd, Michael specialises in advising companies on business growth and disposal strategies. He is a regular conference speaker and has lectured students at Dublin Institute of Technology and Dublin Business School. He specialises in the FinTech area.
Diane Roberts
Investment Director
Diane Roberts works with the PR Training Academy to progressing future business development and opportunities. Diane has spent her early career in international technology sales and marketing roles, and brings over 25 years rich industry experience developing new business in the UK, USA, Europe and Asia Pacific. From 2002 to 2007, Diane lived and worked in Silicon Valley, where she was the West Coast Director and the Manager of Enterprise Ireland’s US Software and Services team. During this time she developed a strong network of contacts and an up-close understanding of the some of the world’s leading technology companies and the approach of the world’s largest venture capital community. Whilst there she completed the Executive Management program at Stanford University. From 2009 to 2012 Diane was the inaugural National Director for HBAN, Ireland’s angel investment network establishing six angel syndicates and creating over €4m seed equity investment in technology startups companies. Over 2009 to 2016 Diane held the role of Programme Director for the Invest NI Propel Programme, the leading startup accelerator programme in Northern Ireland, where she oversaw the development of over 100 companies, gaining equity funding in excess of £15m and the creation of over 500 jobs. Since its establishment in 2007, Diane has led XPinnovates to become one of the most successful new business venture consultancy and advisory companies in Ireland. Diane holds a BA in Business Studies and is currently enrolled as a candidate for a MSc in History at the Queen’s University of Belfast. #Leader #Enthusiastic #Networker #Passionate
John Joyce
Technical Director
John Joyce guides the development of the PR Training Academy’s bespoke LMS system and advises on future technical projects. John Joyce is a technologist and entrepreneur from Dublin, Ireland, who has worked in the IT industry for the past 25 years. He is current the CEO of Yvolve Inc., connecting toys to the Internet of Things. This year he has also co-founded a tech company with two other entrepreneurs, and previously founded Savvybear.com, a virtual world for kids, which he took from concept to 3 million active users to acquisition.
Colette Newport
COO
COO Colette Newport has overall responsibility for the management of the PR Training Academy team. Colette is a graduate of both University College Dublin and Trinity College Dublin. Her academic ability is complimented by her extensive range of skills, honed from a decade in education and a further decade running her own business.
Eileen Barry
Client Relationship Manager
Eileen Barry, our Client Relationship Manager is dedicated to ensuring that the Partnership and Training requirements of all of our clients are developed and optimised in such a way as to efficiently and effectively meet their goals. Eileen is a graduate of the Institute of Training and Development, her many years’ experience in education means she understands the importance of customising the packages we offer to ensure that our members get the right fit.
Gus Lynch
Technical Development
Gus has recently joined the team to oversee the day to day Technical Development within The PR Training Academy. Prior to his arrival, he owned and ran a successful Managed Services Company and served in CTO and Global Technology director roles in the fields of Science, Insurance and Services. He doesn't usually wear his beard this long and promises to tame its growth when we're all together in the office again.
Kalina Vodenicarov
Chief Content Creator
Kalina Vodenicarov is the Chief Content Creator with the PR Training Academy. She has overall responsibility for content creation across our social media platforms and manages a team who create bespoke content for the Academy’s training courses. Kalina holds a Certificate in International Relations and a Higher National Certificate in Business from Globe Business College, Munich, Diplomas in Film and Photography from the National Academy for Theatre & Film Arts “Krastyo Sarofov”, Bulgaria, and a BA in English Literature from New Bulgarian University.
Mollie OSullivan
Videographer
Mollie O'Sullivan has come to us from New Media at IADT, Dublin. Her speciality is videography and she has made both short films and documentaries. In her role with the Public Relations Training Academy, Mollie looks after filming, editing and sound recordings. Her creative spirit means we are never short of new ideas or vision.
Damien Laborie
Marketing Support
Damien is part of our marketing team and is located in Lyon, France. He has come to the PR Training Academy through the Management and Global Business Programme at IAE, Lyon. He focuses on marketing and international business development.
Hannah Lee
Content Support
Hannah Lee joins the Public Relations Training Academy from California, where she graduated in Journalism and Communications from the University of Oregon. She has come to Dublin to put her skills into practice and absorb some Irish Culture.
Monica Buongiorna
Content Support
Monica is a Media and Languages graduate from Puglia, Italy, from where she collaborates on the development of media and social content for our courses. Her experience includes news production with Mediaset RTI, Italy.
