With the recession forcing companies to slash marketing budgets, marketers are increasingly turning to public relations professionals — whether within their own companies or through marketing agency partners — to carry the weight of their communications programs.

A recent article in the online edition of the Business Journal Serving the Greater Milwaukee Area highlighted a study from the Bureau of Labor Statistics that showed specific categories of workers — including lawyers, budget analysts and public relations managers — are experiencing far lower levels of unemployment than the average U.S. unemployment rate, which is currently at 9.5 percent. In fact, the unemployment rate for public relations managers is only 0.1 percent.

It’s heartening to know that companies still realize the importance of staying top-of-mind with their customers and, in turn, are utilizing professionals like those in public relations to help steer them through these tough economic waters.