Premium Essay

Defining Public Relations

In:

Submitted By thatsgood
Words 763
Pages 4
Public Relations Defined
MKT/438
Public Relations
August 11, 2013
Richard Dool

Define Public Relations Companies large and small hire Public Relations or PR professionals to bring awareness of their products or services. Public relations, is defined by many different sources in many different ways. The purpose of Public Relations differs from one company to the next, depending on organizational size, the particular product or service they may be drawing interests towards, their are a number of reasons why Public Relations is defined so many different ways.
Public Relations: The Profession and the Practice Public Relations: The Profession and the Practice, Chapter 1: The Nature of Public Relations, defines Public Relations as, “Public relations is a leadership and management function that helps achieve organizational objectives, define philosophy, and facilitate organizational change. Public relations practitioners communicate with all relevant internal and external publics to develop positive relationships and to create consistency between organizational goals and societal expectations. Public relations practitioners develop, execute, and evaluate organizational programs that promote the exchange of influence and understanding among an organization’s constituent parts and publics” (Baskin, Heiman, Lattimore, & Toth, 2007). Even as defined by this text this is a continually working definition, meaning it will continue to change as the need of the public relations professional adjust and change frequently.
The Public Relations Society of America The PSRA (Public Relations Society of America) Official Statement on Public Relations states, “Public relations helps our complex, pluralistic society to reach decisions and function more effectively by contributing to mutual understanding among groups and institutions. It serves to bring

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Definition of Public Relations

...Public Relations William Saul Introduction Defining the Public Relation becomes broad and argumentative because of how it is being used. The extent of using the concept has touched many activities that makes the real meaning of it so complicated to refer to. The concept is being interpreted in many ways as to how an individual or an organization uses it in its own benefit. Businesses uses Public Relations to communicate with their market, it is used as part of their marketing strategy where good image is created from the perspective and point of view of their market or consumers. In other sector such as Government or Politicians, public relation is used as to build image and gives impression and definition of their jobs, position and responsibilities. While to any individuals, it is used as a form to communicate, interact and build relationship with others. Technology plays an important role of the changes of the perspective of how Public Relation should be actually used. Technology changes the ways as to how public relations is supposed to be put into application and practice where the old and formal ways in doing it is being innovated due to what internet can offer. It becomes more less engaged, less interacting yet becomes more easy and fast as to what social media can offer. With Internet and Technology the activities associated to be doing as a form of public relations evolved along with how technology has bring changes to every individual perspective. It evolve...

Words: 1191 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Functions of Public Relations

...Defining Public Relations MKT438 May 2012 Gary Solomon Defining Public Relations Public Relations (PR) is defined in many ways. PR is the management of perception. It involves managing publics perception about someone or an entity like a company. However, it may also focus on a particular product or service of a company. The First World Assembly of Public Relations Associates, held in Mexico City in 1978 defines PR as “the art and social science of analyzing trends, predicting their consequences, counseling organizational leaders, and implementing planned programs of action which will serve both the organization and the publics interest” (Gary Solomon/University of Phoenix, 2012). However, the British define PR as “Reputational Management.” The Britain’s definition of PR focuses on reputation and the result of what you do and what you say and what others say about you. They also say that PR is about managing reputation in a way that it warrants understanding and support, and also influences opinion and behavior” (Gary Solomon/University of Phoenix, 2012). According to "PRSA Public Relations Society Of America" (2012), “Public relations is a strategic communication process that builds mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their publics” (What is Public Relations? PRSA's Widely Accepted Definition). Through the paragraph above, one can learn that there are different ways to define PR and although each is different to a degree, they are not independent...

Words: 754 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Defining Pr

...Defining Public Relations Public Relations (PR) has evolved throughout its existence to fit numerous business functions and intents. Some companies refer to PR as the department in charge of publicity and gaining attention. This definition alone can have several meanings. One meaning could be the intent to gain free publicity and attention through news and word of mouth. Another meaning could include the placement of media such as print, radio, and television. Sometimes media buying is handled through the marketing department, or as a joint venture between the two departments. These examples help explain the ambiguity behind the definition of PR. This enigma has attracted much attention from practitioners in the field, and a few main opinions have emerged as to PR’s purpose (Strong, 2011). The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) has attempted to define PR as an official definition for the industry. To do that, the PRSA created a loose definition that could be applied to many widely held concepts of the function of PR. A PRSA National Assembly decreed the official definition of PR to be, “public relations helps an organization and its publics adapt mutually to each other” (2011, para 3). The PRSA adds further clarity to this definition be explaining the word organization was chosen to convey the idea that PR is a concept that can be used by many organizations not just businesses. The word ‘publics’ is used to include every stakeholder of an organization, not just...

Words: 826 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Gap Analysis

...Running head: GAP ANALYSIS: GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS Gap Analysis: Global Communications Brandi Cook University of Phoenix Gap Analysis: Global Communications In this paper I will discuss issues and opportunities that Global Communications are faced. There is an examination of stakeholder perspectives and ethical dilemmas. A brief statement of vision is presented in the paper. A gap analysis was performed and discussed. Situation Analysis Issue and Opportunity Identification Global Communications was faced with a problem; Global is currently are currently in a market that overridden with competition. In the effort to compete in the market and to increase profitability, Global Communications will implement a new strategy. The strategy will introduce new products and services and put into action a cost-cutting plan. The plan will close domestic cal centers and open new, cheaper call centers in India and Ireland. Global Communications plans to market itself aggressively in the international market. Global Communications prospectively could move into the international market while lowering cost, thus, making GC profitability increase. Another issue Global Communications faces when GC moves some technical call centers to India and Ireland most of the domestic call centers will be downsized. Some current call center representatives can be relocated can expect to take an average 10% salary cut. Many of the employees will lose their only source of income. Katrina Heinz...

Words: 1999 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Globalization

...POJECT PROPORSAL Name: Course: Professor: Institution: City and state: Date: Executive summary ChildFund Australia is an organization that provides help to families in the developing nations. The main work of the organization is to eradicate poverty from the community. This research entails public relation strategy geared toward enhancing organization penetration to Mali in order to achieve its mission and vision. There are many opportunity ChildFund can utilize in Mali to ensure it live to its goals. Therefore, this essay provides a comprehensive public relation ideas and tactics that can enhance ChildFund achieve its vision. By using the ideas presented in this research, ChildFund can enhance its image and enhance their future as a non-profit organization working in Mali. Theme: Piloting new possibilities Using this plan, and using the theme (piloting new possibilities), this research views ChildFund from a different point of view. With strong brand image, ChildFund can employ a different way of alleviation instead of using the old methods. ChildFund can remarket itself as simple and offer personalized services. Additionally, with strong brand and involving the community, ChildFund the organization will move forward to the road of success. Situational analysis Organization history ChildFund Australia is a non-religious and independent international organization which works to eradicate poverty, especially in developing world. The organization provides help mostly to...

Words: 2346 - Pages: 10

Free Essay

Public Communication

...1. Introduction Public communication is an increasingly fragile yet crucial component of business activity in today’s world. Firstly, since all corporations or organizations have more than just a few stakeholders it is becoming ever so popular to disclose vital information about the functioning of the organization to all stakeholders. Secondly, with the knowledge and awareness of stakeholders increasing it has become vital for any organization to take into account their stakeholders’ mass opinions when designing strategic plans. Going back a 100 years, with slow and tedious modes of communication, organizations and stakeholders alike did not find it feasible to disclose and discover information on organizations’ plans and objectives. However, with the advent of communication technology, this infeasible task has turned into one of the easiest tasks to accomplish. Stakeholders now generally have more say in the overall strategic planning of an organization and managers face an ever increasing pressure to keep all stakeholders satisfied. When it comes to public communication campaigns, campaign designers have also benefitted from the advent in communication technology. Where it was cumbersome, economically unfavorable and extremely idealistic some years ago, getting messages across a vast majority of people has become an easy task to achieve. Be it a message from an NGO or the government itself, public communication has improved by leaps and bounds. Technologies such as social...

Words: 2860 - Pages: 12

Premium Essay

Pr Defination

...Public Relations Defined Jason E. Green MKT 438 January 20, 2013 Robert Etter Public Relations Defined The purpose of this paper is to define public relation and identify some reasons why so many different definitions exist in our modern society. As well as to categorize the different definition and how they interrelate. The initial thoughts that were gathered regarding public relation is that it is a planned process to stimulate the thinking of an audience by offering a solid character that displays sound judgment, which is achieved by a communicating with the audience to persuade there thinking. As further research were conducted the idea that few words can define such a broad concept became infrequent, which demonstrated that further research and in-depth thinking was necessary. Although common thinking would align marketing with public relations the two seem like separate ideas and ideals that once harmoniously aligned can translate in a successful image campaign. According to Fraser P. Seitel one of the most ambitious searches for a universal definition was conducted and commissioned in 1975 by the Foundation of Public Relation Research and Education. The leaders in the field of public relations analyzed 472 different descriptions and explanation and offered an 88-word sentence: “Public relations is a distinctive management function which helps establish and maintain mutual lines of communications, understanding, acceptance, and cooperation between an organization...

Words: 763 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Social Media Impact That Affects the Pr Practices.

...CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1Social media 2.1.1 Defining Social media The brand-new way of interactions that allows networking communication with instant feedback has been brought up via the social media, or online social networking sites (Lariscy, Avery, Sweetser & Howes 2009). We as the users are now capable in sharing content, opinions, experiences, and many more and it have been online practices with the use of technology of social media (Lariscy, et al 2009). A two-way proportioned communication between the partakers is encouraged by the social media sites (Lariscy, et al 2009). Social media enable two-ways communication rather than one-way. The term social media has a wide range of platform and it does not only include social networking sites as it consist of also forums, blogs, picture sharing, video sharing, message boards, RSS, podcasts, search engine marketing, other networking sites and microblogging sites (Wright and Hinson 2009). However people usually think of Facebook and Twitter when it comes to social media but there are many types of social media such as LinkedIn, Blogs, microblogging and online news. (Wright and Hinson 2009) 2.1.2 Social media impacts in PR practices Those who practice public relations have believed to have grown in terms of its precision and trustworthiness by using social media and other developing media (Gordon 2010). Furthermore, they agreed to a certain extend that these new media will turn to be an overseer for traditional...

Words: 4398 - Pages: 18

Premium Essay

Public Relation

...“Public Relations are the proactive communication that an organization initiates and maintains with the media, its clients, and key internal and external publics. It provides organizations various tools that can be used to support brand building, research attitudes of consumers, and influence key publics. This simulation illustrates the use of Public Relations to develop a Public Relations plan and to use its various tools to manage a crisis” (University of Phoenix, 2010). A company must be able to communicate well with the outside environment to conduct public relations successfully. This is particularly true concerning crisis management. A real life example is the crisis management strategies undertaken by Johnson and Johnson during the Tylenol crisis in 1982. By managing relations well with the public, the company could diffuse a crisis situation that put the very existence of the company in question (cited in Devlin, 2004). The case study of the Tylenol crisis serves to illustrate the importance of well-managed communications strategies when it comes to concerning managing public relations in a crisis situation. When the catastrophe broke out, Tylenol was the profuse merchandise of Johnson & Johnson. Leading the painkiller market, it was contributing 33% of the year-to-year profit growth of the company (cited in Watson, 2006). During fall 1982, some unknown parties removed a number of Tylenol packages from store-shelves in the Chicago area, opened those packages, removed...

Words: 1764 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Organizational Ethics Issue Resolution

...to spread over neighboring cities. Mary’s parents soon learned what happened to their little girl, after two off-duty firefighters alerted health officials of the connection of the sudden deaths and Tylenol (Weiss, 2006). In this paper, the author will discuss the affect “The Tylenol Crisis had on Johnson & Johnson and the company’s stakeholders using the six-step ethics issue resolution process. Defining the Issue In the fall of 1982, McNeil Consumer Products, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, faced a crisis that claimed the lives of seven individuals in Chicago, Illinois. After two local firefighters who were home listening to his or her police radio, discovered that the information retrieved from each incident involved the consumption of Tylenol. After testing, the remaining Extra Strength Tylenol capsules retrieved contained 65 milligrams of cyanide poisoning. This was considered 10,000 times more than what was needed to kill someone. After the connection was made between the seven deaths and Extra Strength Tylenol, Johnson & Johnson had to find an avenue to make public this awful finding. However,...

Words: 1298 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Toyota Case Analysis

...CASE ANALYSIS CRISIS MANAGEMENT AT TOYOTA CASELET Toyota Motors Corporation, one of the largest automakers in the world. In January 2010, Toyota was forced to recall millions of cars after problems with braking, floor mats and acceleration pedals in its vehicles. The recalls even led Toyota to halt sales and production of eight of its most popular models. Due to growing number of recalls, sales plummeted thereby affecting the company's position in the global automotive industry. Analysts began to question Toyota's legendary quality and felt that the recalls represented a major failure on part of the company. After the recalls, Toyota went into crisis management mode and announced a fix for the accelerator problem. Various crisis management initiatives undertaken by the company to regain the trust of customers and restore its image as a quality automaker. As part of its crisis management process, Toyota placed ads in print and television media, involved executives and used social media platforms to address its customers. However, some analysts felt that the crisis communication team of Toyota was weak which led to a delay in identifying and addressing the situation. Crisis management experts were of the view that the image of Toyota would depend on how quickly it can fix the problems and how well it communicates with its customers. ISSUES: 1. Understand the importance of crisis management and various issues and challenges related to it. 2. Analyze whether Toyota's...

Words: 1341 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Rhetorical Theory

...MCC204 Public Relations Contemporary Approaches: Assignment 1 Introduction – Public relations theories and impact on strategies Strategy helps us to identify the approaches to take in researching, planning and carrying out activities in order to obtain the best results. It also determines the most effective manner to communicate with an organization’s stakeholders. Strategies are guidelines consisting of planned actions and program components. Public relations practitioners have to analyze situations and conceptualize appropriate strategies to better the organization’s public relations position in the eyes of its stakeholders. In order to identify the appropriate strategy to use, public relations practitioners fall back on the four key theories of public relations – discourse, rhetorical, ethical and critical. These theories help in defining the public relations plan and strategy by assisting in evaluating, examining, planning and performing public relations activities such as gaining publicity, providing entertainment, disseminating information and developing national public information campaigns. Depending on the outcome the organization hopes to achieve and its current circumstances, professionals would seek to apply the most appropriate theory applicable to their situation. Rhetorical theory Rhetoric is defined as the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing. (Online Oxford Dictionaries, 2012) Rhetorical theory, examines the various methods in which language...

Words: 1897 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Mkt 438 Public Relations Final Exam Answers

...MKT 438 Public Relations Final Exam Answers http://www.projbid.com/downloads/mkt-438-public-relations-final-exam-answers/ Multiple Choice Value: 40 Points (2 point each) 1. The objective of public relations is to sell: 1. An organization’s products 2. An organization’s people 3. An organization’s cash flow 4. An organization 2. The R-A-C-E approach to defining public relations includes the following components: 1. Results, analysis, communication, explanation 2. Research, attitude, communication, explanation 3. Research, action, communication, evaluation 4. Research, analysis, communication, evaluation 3. The job of public relations professional is very much that of an “interpreter,” where he interprets: 1. Management to the public and the public to management 2. Management to the public 3. The public to management 4. Many publics to many managers 4. Which of the following trends contributed to the evolution of public relations in the United States? 1. Economic recovery from the depression 2. America’s expansion into the western part of the continent 3. The growth of big business 4. The rise of powerful political machines in Washington politics 5. Public relations goals must be defined by: 1. Good judgment 2. Public relations management 3. Marketing goals 4. An organization’s goals 6. Morale at the company was low after a series of severe firings. “I’ve got just the thing to get morale back up again,” said Darren, the firm’s public relations...

Words: 980 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Human Capital Planning

...4) EXPLAIN THE NEED FOR ETHICAL PUBLIC RELATIONS IN RELATION TO THE CONSCIENCE OF AN ORGANIZATION. The importance of ethics is not only visible in public relations alone; on the contrary it encompasses each and every aspect of our daily life. The public relations of organisations that lack ethical principles are bound to fail sooner or later. The field of ethics, also called moral philosophy, involves systematizing, defending and recommending concepts of right and wrong behavior. It is defined by Parsons (2008:28) as the application of knowledge, understanding and reasoning to questions of right or wrong behavior. With this definition one can say that ethics are personal values system that each person uses to judge the right or wrong behaviour in others. In public relations discipline, ethics includes values such as honesty openness, loyalty, respect, integrity and forthright communication. Careful and consistent ethical analyses facilitate trust, which enhances the building and maintenance of relationships- after all, that is the ultimate purpose of the public relations function, (Bowen, 2008). Thus this essay will explain the need for ethical public relations in relation to the conscience of an organisation. Organisations accomplish more of their long term goals when they integrate some of what publics want, meaning that the management engages in an ongoing relationship of give and take with the publics. Scholars (Goodpaster & Matthews, 1982; J. E. Grunig & L. A. Grunig...

Words: 1693 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Data Protection

...510 2001 info@watsonhall.com www.watsonhall.com Each type of data within an organisation should be identified and classified. Once this has been completed and during periodic reviews, it is necessary to define the retention and disposal policy. Business data records should be assessed for the statutory and legal requirements, business and accountability requirements and the risks associated with keeping or disposing of the data records. A records management system or schedule of data retention criteria can be used to document the data records, the requirements and the security controls needed for their identification, storage, protection, retrieval, retention and disposal. There are a large number of statutes, case law and regulations defining how long some data must be kept for before it is destroyed — some of which are outlined on the following pages. A few requirements such as records of wages apply to almost all sectors, but we have listed some specific requirements for the communications, financial and governmental sectors. Other sectors have equally important requirements. The exact minimum retention period varies with the specific data type, and the starting date is often context related e.g. period from an event like an accident, retirement or the advertisement of a product. This document is based on the previous work by InTechnology Ltd: Making Sense of Data Law, A review by InTechnology of legislation and regulation concerning data storage in the UK and Europe http://www...

Words: 1676 - Pages: 7