Member Spotlight: Q&A with Chris Trela
Posted on Oct. 19, 2026 / Member Spotlight / Subscribe 0
Q. Congratulations on receiving the 2026 Hermes Award for Lifetime Achievement at PROTOS! What does receiving this recognition mean to you?
Sometimes you forget how much you have achieved because you are busy doing things, but for me it’s not just the achievements—although it is a great honor. Hopefully, it means I have done a lot of things that have made a difference in people’s lives, that I have made a positive impact.
Q. You wear a lot of hats across public relations, journalism, teaching, and the arts! Can you tell us a little about your current roles and what you enjoy most about your work?
Yes, I do wear a lot of hats, and they all fit me very well! Current roles: For public relations, I still have my ArtsPR boutique agency. I still do some consulting, and we do work with a couple of clients. But most of my focus is now on teaching at Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film & Media Arts. My classes include entertainment marketing, entertainment PR, media relations, and PR campaigns. I am able to use my 30+ years of expertise in PR and share that with my students. For journalism, I'm still the editor for the Newport Beach Independent, also the restaurant and dining writer for the Orange County Business Journal, and I love all of that because I can bring aspects of journalism into my classrooms and talk about how to work with the media. And finally the arts. I still have the opportunity to write about local theaters, symphonies, musicians and other types of arts and artists, and I love being able to share that with readers who will hopefully go out and support the arts.
Q. Looking back on your career, in what ways has PR remained the same yet also evolved?
Well, we’re using faster and more intelligent computers. We're still pitching the media, but we're doing it a lot easier now because we have better sources to find media contacts and pitch them. We're still writing press releases and other PR-related documents, but we’re learning how to incorporate AI into what we do in public relations, and to use AI ethically. We’ve gone from sending actual photographs to sending links to a batch of digital photos. We’ve gone from word-of-mouth to using social media. I think public relations will continue to evolve in ways we may not imagine, but it will also remain the same in that the concept of relating to the public is still the basics of public relations.
Q. What are you looking forward to as you continue serving on the Board?
After serving as PROTOS co-chair for three years, I was Board Advisor this year, and plan to have that title again in 2027. It gives me the chance to share the OCPRSA experience with new board members and also jump in where needed on various committees.
Q. With your extensive experience across PR, journalism, and education, what advice would you give to the next generation of communicators?
Number one, be a sponge. Soak up everything you can, whatever the genre, whether it's PR or journalism. You never know when you're going to need to use information, so it’s good to have that. Number two, say yes to opportunities. Don’t be afraid of trying new things. Challenge yourself. You’ll be surprised what you can accomplish. Number three, remember that we are all storytellers. Tell good stories, and you will be successful no matter what you do.
Q. Are there any upcoming projects or opportunities you're particularly excited about?
I'm always excited about the next thing to come. I never know what that's going to be. Sometimes it comes without warning, but I'm always excited to work on any new project while still being able to teach at Chapman. I just started my eighth year there and have no plans to go anywhere. I tell my students at the beginning of the semester that I'm always in a good mood because I love what I do. Whether it's journalism, whether it's teaching, whether it's the arts, I just really feel fortunate that I am able to do things that I am passionate about and share that passion with others.
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