33 Wikis: #8 -- TheNewPRWiki -- Reform and Renewal for the PR Industry?

This is the eighth installment in "33 Wikis," a close look at best practices in wiki-based collaboration.  Each day -- for 33 days -- we look at one wiki and briefly describe what the wiki is for, why we like it, and what we all can learn from it.  If you want to nominate a wiki, please let us know.  On day 34 we will post a public wiki featuring info on all nominees.

What this wiki is for:  TheNewPRWiki, the brainchild of PR consultant/blogger Constantin Basturea, describes itself as:

*a repository of relevant information about how the PR practice is changing

*a collaboration tool for PR professionals and people interested in the practice of public relations

*an open space where anyone can ask questions, post ideas, or start a project.

Why we like it:  At the end of a week when the PR blogosphere spent so much time anguishing over the musings of an anonymous blogger, TheNewPRWiki stands for the notion that there are better things to come  ... or something else to talk about (we'll see).  As we said yesterday in our discussion of SourceWatch, this is an industry that is undergoing major reform and renewal, and TheNewPRWiki, along with a couple of new industry groups (most notably NewCommForum) has done a lot to help PR folks educate themselves on both the theory and practice of new media.  The wiki has good info, including case studies, corporate blogging policies, lists, and more. 

What we all can learn from it:  Bottom line:  if SourceWatch is about getting rid of the old, TheNewPRWiki is about building the new.  If you are in PR, this is a great resource.  If you are not, this is a living case study on how to begin renewing an industry.  It will surely take more than a wiki -- or a village -- but starting small, with a group of people who sometimes compete for business (because it's in their interests to collaborate) is a smart approach.