Don’t Dismiss the ‘Gray Hairs’: Why the PR Profession Needs Its Seasoned Pros

By Marc C. Whitt

In ancient Rome, age was not seen as a hindrance—it was a badge of honor. Elder statesmen weren’t shuffled to the sidelines; they were positioned front and center. Senators with gray hair and long experience were often called upon to speak first, their voices given weight because they had weathered time, war, triumph, and defeat. Their experience was invaluable. Their wisdom, a stabilizing force.

In the world of public relations today, we could use a little more of that Roman perspective.

Too often, the modern workplace—ours included—focuses so intently on chasing trends, mastering the latest digital tools, and keeping up with the shifting social landscape that we unintentionally sideline those who have helped build the very foundations of our profession. Those in the “50-80 plus club” have more than earned their seat at the table. And yet, sometimes these professionals find that seat quietly pulled away.

Let me be clear: this isn’t a plea for reverence. It’s a call for respect, inclusion, and collaboration. PR thrives on diverse voices. We preach it to our clients and design inclusive campaigns that reflect wide perspectives. But we need to apply that same wisdom to ourselves.

Seasoned PR professionals bring a deep bench of experience—successes hard-earned, crises managed, relationships nurtured, and strategies honed over decades. They’ve blazed trails, mentored hundreds, and have seen the industry through its most significant transformations. That kind of insight doesn’t fade with time—it deepens. Sporting gray hair doesn’t mean you’ve lost your creativity, vision, or relevance. Quite the opposite. It means you’ve proven your value, time and again.

At the same time, those of us, including me, who’ve spent a career in this field must resist the temptation to see things only through our own lens. We must genuinely listen to the emerging voices in our field—young professionals brimming with new perspectives, energy, and digital savvy.

Those just starting out or mid-career have much to teach us, too. Let’s not miss the chance to learn from them while they learn from us.

We must create professional spaces where multiple generations work side by side, learning and growing together. That’s how we elevate our craft and ensure its future.

Here are a few takeaways to consider, PR Gang:

1. Respect experience. Don’t dismiss seasoned professionals. Their counsel is grounded in decades of doing the work—and doing it well. Invite them to the table and make room for their input.

   
   

2. Champion cross-generational collaboration. Every generation has something vital to offer. Build teams that span decades, not just disciplines.

   
   

3. Make mentorship a two-way street. Encourage senior professionals to mentor, but also create space for them to be mentees. Learning is lifelong—and listening goes both ways.

   
   

4. Avoid age-based assumptions. Innovation and creative thinking are not reserved for the young. Nor are reliability and wisdom reserved for the old. See the individual, not the stereotype.

   
   

5. Celebrate legacy while embracing change. The future of PR is built on the lessons of its past. Honor that history while welcoming the evolution ahead.

   
   

So here’s to the “gray hairs”—the wise warriors of press releases past, media training masters, crisis whisperers, and strategy sherpas. We see you. We need you. And to the emerging pros lighting new paths, we say: teach us, challenge us, and grow with us.

We can and must do better, PR Gang.

Let’s value every voice—including those that may speak a little more slowly but with a lifetime of stories behind them.

Copyright (c) 2025 Marc C. Whitt