Clever. Quick-witted. Adaptable. In my mind, the perfect publicist has Jim Halpert's personality, Peggie Olson's intelligence, Leslie Knope's tireless optimism and drive and Jack Bauer's cool under-pressure attitude. These may be fictional characters, but the fact is real; public relations is an ever-changing industry and the ability to stay on top of the latest trends is key. Below are a few tried and true qualities that, for a publicist, never go out of style.

E-mail, phone, text, Skype, Facebook, Twitter, carrier pigeon. For a publicist, all lines of communication must be open, and used, if necessary. In a field based solely around communication, thoroughly and properly conveying your clients' messages are your number priority. And when most of your day is spent chasing after reporters, producers, writers and bloggers, you better have a pitch or answer readily available when you finally catch them.

Just like when you are applying for a job, your introductory e-mail can make or break you. When you only get one chance to pitch a story or tempt a media figure with an idea, one single error can rune you. Kidding. "Ruin." See what I did there? But seriously, spell check. Then spell check again; then Google it just in case. And if you're like me, run it by your mom, too.

Often times in public relations, your first pitch gets you through the door, but your personality keeps you in the room. Being a publicist means checking your reservations at the entrance, forgetting your fears and embracing, well, everything and everyone. The ideal publicist has the perfect balance of grace and guts, morals and mayhem, humility and humor, charm and control. Sounds simple enough, right? Wallflowers need not apply.

It can be argued that, for a publicist, no piece of the puzzle is more valuable than your audience. And to take it a step further, understanding your audience is one thing; knowing your audience is another. Making an effort to meet with media figures face to face goes a long way to cement your name in their list of contacts. People enjoy being courted, so treat each introduction like it's a first date. And that means Internet stalking for as much advance information as possible. Oh, and don't even act like you don't do that with your dates. We all know you do.

Public relations is constantly evolving to adapt to advances in media and technology. Public relations professionals must constantly evolve to adapt to, well, anything really. A midday television opportunity means shifting your priorities at a moment's notice. That reporter you've been dying to meet with has an opening for a lunch in ten minutes but the restaurant is a half hour away. A freelance reporter from England needs a picture for an article... at 3 a.m. PR is a 24-hour field in a Hunger Games-type setting (the "only the versatile survive" part, not the "take out your competition" part, although...) Stress is par for the course and stress management determines your success as a publicist. Invest in a kickboxing class and a good masseuse. Not like you'll have time for either.

Being a publicist is an exciting, challenging career that will keep you on your toes and constantly test your capacity to remember, relay and remain calm. I could go on and on, but I have a meeting five minutes ago.