We know the job scene for journalists is pretty bleak, but still think the PR industry is relatively strong.

But then we run into ads like this on Craigslist:

Looking for detail oriented Self-Starter with PR & Marketing skills for owner of small weight control company and book author. Person needs be Focused, Consistent, Persistent, with strong writing/editing/grammar/speaking and follow-up skills. Website and print contacts helpful. Need ability to write and place press releases and articles on the web, in print, and all media as well as to secure seminar, radio, and interview bookings for owner. Two years experience.

Ok, seems like a reasonable job description, we thought. However, the catch: $12 per hour.

That's right folks, write our releases, give us your media contacts, get us publicity! All for less than you'd make waiting tables.

(CC) Brian Solis, www.briansolis.com and bub.blicio.us.

[FutureWorks Principal, PR 2.0 blogger and TechCrunch PR contributor Brian Solis, with (we think) CNET's Caroline McCarthy]

He writes about this weekend's TechSet meetup in NYC, "On the afternoon of June 7th, we brought the rooftop parties from the West Coast to the Right Coast while connecting with NY-based entrepreneurs and those in town for InternetWeek...New York is a thriving tech community rich with innovation, brilliance, and a refreshing spirit of entrepreneurialism. It's contributing to the evolution of a more meaningful and productive Web. We were lucky to be part of it for a day."

Solis today posted a free eBook, "The Essential Guide to Social Media."

As you may have noticed, mediabistro is running a new series of features, PR Perfected, which will tackle the biggest issues in the public relations universe.

The first two features are up, written by yours truly:

PR Perfected: The Email Pitch
Flacks and the editors they want to reach provide two perspectives on writing email pitches that get read

PR Perfected: The TV Pitch
Pointers to get your client on-air

They're for AvantGuild members only - which is another reason to sign up - it's cheap!

Hey folks, see that anonymous tip box to the right? It's always open for your venting pleasure. Talk to us. We don't bite, we promise!

Posts may a be a little bit on the lighter side today, as Jason is headed towards a short vacation and I'm headed out to the Publicity Club of New York's "New York TV Scene" event.

However, there is still some time to RSVP for mediabistro's PR party tonight in NYC. We hope to see you there!

And of course, we always welcome your tips and news.

So generally we never toot our own horn here at PRNewser, but we are pretty psyched to have joined the ranks of the top 100 PR blogs, according to Brendan Cooper's latest "PR Friendly Index."

Brendan is a social media planner at Porter Novelli, who takes the time to rank the top 100 PR blogs, according to various Technorati, Google, Yahoo and IceRocket metrics.

UPDATE: This post has been changed to reflect the following statement from Brendan: "Btw, I just want to point out that I've updated the PR Newser and Point Oh change indicators to say 'new'. This is as a result of PR Newser claiming to be the fastest growing blog on the index! I appreciate the sentiment guys, but you're the 'latest' addition, not the highest moving! Let's wait until next month before we start to assess movement."

Editor's note: We originally claimed to be the fastest growing PR blog as our +25 point gain was the highest on Brendan's list. This has listing has now been revised, hence the update.

Freelance writers, PR pros or anyone else jonesing for a wi-fi hot spot can take some solace in the fact that Starbucks has ended its relationship with T-Mobile and moved to AT&T, at the same time lowering the price for internet access at its 7,000 locations.

According to Mobile Content Today:

Starting sometime this spring, folks with a Starbucks Card can use the Wi-Fi service free for two hours a day and AT&T U-verse and broadband customers will get unlimited free access, according to a report on mocoNews.net.

Everyone else will get to choose from two price plans - $3.99 for two hours of access or $19.99 for a monthly subscription. The monthly plan gets you access to all 70,000 AT&T hotspots worldwide.

It's still not completely free, but definitely a step in the right direction. Read the AT&T press release here.

(image cred)

That is just one of the many questions asked, and in this case answered in our Publicist's Corner forum every day.

What, you didn't know we had a forum? Well, we do, and you can jump into the conversation here, as well as see the latest topics being discussed right below the anonymous tips box to the right.

In other news, mediabistro headquarters is working on adding comments and other features to PRNewser, so stay tuned!

Our buddy Jon Greer over at BNET's Catching Flack called out PRNewser as a top PR blog along along with Edelman 6 A.M., Strumpette and PR 2.0, among others.

Jon says:

There's a lot of "news" in the PR industry about new hires and new agency accounts, and frankly, I can't think of anything more BORING. PRNewser keeps this drivel to a minimum and instead reports on all kinds of other interesting items about our industry.

Thanks Jon!

Ok. End self promotional post here. PRNewser is blushing.

We PR people like to talk, don't we? For some reason, the chatter's been a bit slow this week. We know you've got things you want us to write about. Let us know! prnewser at mediabistro dot com is the formal way. The anonymous tips box at right is also an option.