A Successful Career in Public Relations

A Successful Career in Public Relations

What is Public Relations?

Public relations (PR) is the practice of managing the flow of information between an

organization and the public. PR aims to gain an organization or individual positive

exposure to their key stakeholders, while downplaying any negative exposures.

Edward Louis Bernays, who is considered the founding father of modern public relations

along with Ivy Lee, in the early 1900s defined public relations as a management function

which tabulates public attitudes, defines the policies, procedures and interests of an

organization. . . followed by executing a program of action to earn public understanding

and acceptance"

Today, Public Relations is a set of management, supervisory, and technical functions that

foster an organization's ability to strategically listen to, appreciate, and respond to those

persons whose mutually beneficial relationships with the organization are necessary if it

is to achieve its missions and values. Essentially it is a management function that focuses

on two-way communication and fostering of mutually beneficial relationships between an

organization and its publics.

My understanding - Common activities of a PRO

• Speaking at conferences

• Winning industry awards

• Working with the press

• Employee communications

Smartness and an outgoing personality are the tools not just to impress the opposite sex,

but it can also help one in his/her career. One of the professions that relies a lot on these

two attributes to make an impact is media relations or public relations.

People often confuse Public Relations with advertising. However, PR is a different field

altogether. It involves informing and educating people and the target group about the

activities of an organization.

With the expansion of the businesses, the importance of PR has grown and people have

realized that advertising must be supplemented with an effective PR.