FELICIA ITEJI
In observance of World PR Day 2025, The Newmark Group, a leading Pan-African integrated marketing communications firm, in partnership with the Public Relations Global Network (PRGN), will host a high-level hybrid event in Lagos on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. Themed “Building Bridges & Navigating Polarisation”.
Today’s communication landscape is deeply complex. The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2024 ranks societal polarisation as one of the top ten risks facing the world over the next decade, threatening democratic stability, business trust, and public cooperation. At the same time, UNESCO warns that misinformation and disinformation have become systemic risks to peace and development, eroding public confidence in media and institutions. In this increasingly fragmented world, the role of public relations has taken on new urgency.
Beyond managing reputations, PR now has the potential - and responsibility - to rebuild trust, foster truth, and create connections. This year’s global theme captures this imperative: “Building Bridges & Navigating Polarisation.”
The gathering will bring together leading voices from across Nigeria, Africa and the global PRGN network to discuss how communications professionals are navigating cultural, political, and ideological divides. A major highlight of the event will be the official African launch of the 2025 PRGN Influence Insights Report, a comprehensive global study examining evolving public perceptions of trust, reputation, and influence across business, media, and government. The report will be presented by Natacha Clarac, PRGN representative and Managing Director of Athenora Consulting.
As fragmentation, distrust, and disinformation continue to test the fabric of societies, this year’s World PR Day conversation will explore how PR can shift from being a tool of persuasion to a force for connection, reconciliation, and unity. From private boardrooms to civil society and public institutions, there is a growing demand for communication that bridges divides rather than deepens them.
Commenting on the theme, Gilbert Manirakiza, CEO of The Newmark Group, said, “We are living in an era where perception shapes policy, and influence moves faster than truth. If we’re going to restore trust, we must stop treating PR as noise amplification and start seeing it as a tool for psychological alignment and cultural healing. Public relations must now serve as a bridge between sectors, between generations, and between truth and trust. This is the essence of neuroinfluence. It’s not about manipulating minds, but meaningfully building authentic connections with them.”
Beyond the World PR Day celebration and the presentation of the PRGN Influence Insights Report, the event will also feature a panel discussion with top business executives from around the world. The hybrid format will allow professionals from around the continent to participate virtually, while in-person attendees will connect in Lagos for direct engagement.
This year’s event is especially significant as it coincides with Newmark’s 15th anniversary, a milestone that marks a decade and a half of transforming the communications landscape across Africa through bold ideas, strategic partnerships, and insight-driven storytelling.
The anniversary adds another layer of meaning to the celebration, spotlighting the firm’s legacy and future as a trusted Pan-African partner in influence and reputation.
Lovelyn Okafor, Senior Account Manager and Country Lead for Newmark Nigeria, noted: “Nigeria is a powerful storytelling hub.
Hosting World PR Day here highlights the importance of African perspectives in shaping global communication standards, particularly as we strive to build narratives that unify rather than divide. In a time where reputations can rise or fall within seconds, we must ensure that our communication is not just fast, but fair, human, and rooted in truth.”
Founded in Nairobi, The Newmark Group has expanded into one of Africa’s most respected strategic communications firms, with presence in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Zambia, Burundi, and beyond. Its work continues to elevate the role of communication in strengthening institutions, shaping culture, and amplifying African voices on the global stage.
As polarisation intensifies across digital, political, and social spaces, the conversation around how we communicate and who gets to shape the message has never been more urgent. This gathering signals a shared commitment across continents to ensure public relations becomes not just a tool of influence but a bridge toward unity, understanding, and collective progress.
The event is free to attend, but registration is required.
