PR Resources

What is PR or public relations?

Public relations involve the communication of messages to target audiences from an organisation who wants to influence them in a positive way. The audience typically consist of the client’s potential or existing customers. It can also be in the company’s interest to communicate messages to more public bodies which can range from consultants and advisors to government regulars and other decision makers who the organisation wants to draw their attention to and influence in a positive way. PR aims to monitor, maintain mutual relations between the public and the organisation and evaluate the attitudes of the public. The PR departments maintain contact with the public who are important to the organisation.

What is the difference between general advertising and promotions to PR?

There are various methods of communicating with the public, such as blog writing, advertising etc. PR has a much wider offering which other methods of communication do not have. PR activities can involve working with the media, employee communication and conferences. PR departments maintain cohesion with a company by smoothing the networks of communication between the working employees and top management. The role of a PR department is to establish the new methods of communication with an organisation and improve the old, which thereby improves the understanding of information in a two way flow.

What is the difference between advertising and PR?

Advertising is totally separate from PR and appears in a separate section of advertising. PR firms seek exposure for messages in the editorial sections of newspapers or magazines, or TV or radio, so basically PR is advertised through the media. PR coverage can also be free of charge, whilst advertising can be expensive and must always be paid for. There are varied terminologies that are used in PR which are under:

• Public targeting – the target audience is identified and every possible advertising method is used to appeal to that audience
• Lobby groups – special persons who work to influence the policies of either corporate or Government.
• Spin – they are used to present the selective facts that support one’s position
• Spin doctor – the experts who use the spin technique
• Meet and greet – the meetings of when two or more parties are introduced to each other

Is PR or advertising the most effective way to promote a product or service?

That can depend on what products or services the client is trying to promote. Advertising can be suited to fast moving consumer goods, such as snack foods, drinks, batteries, washing powder etc. Firms who sell these products need to advertise to reach millions of people all at the same time. The sales message has to be simple because each product does not have intellectual content. The firms do not have much of a story to tell with those kinds of products and the thought leadership from the organisation who is selling the services or products are usually largely or entirely irrelevant. Public relations, on the other hand, can be far more effective than the advertising of products or services. Examples of PR could be a piece of complex computer software for a niche business application, or specialised professional services or various consultancy sectors. Advertising may not be effective for those areas, mainly because the information that advertisements carry can be strictly limited, and the sellers of these products and services need to convey the appropriate information in order to transfer their sales messages. Other factors to consider when trying to sell these kinds of products and services is basically about the vendor winning the credibility, and a paid for advertisement may win little credibility with their customers. The wide coverage that is generated by public relations can carry a fairly complex but fully communicated sales message to all. Sometimes the complexity of a sales message can make a story extremely attractive to broadcast editors and printers. PR material is usually found in the editorial content of a journal, newspaper, TV programme or radio show, so is justifiably accorded high credibility by the audience or reader.

What does a PR department do in terms of media relations?

They are involved with varied types of media so that the public are informed about the policies, practices and missions of the organisation in a credible and consistent way. The aim of media relations is to get the maximum coverage needed without paying for it. Media relations need to create the awareness about the entity of an organisation among the public eye. In this way, it helps to create strong support from the public, which can create positive opinions toward an organisation. The use of media relations can enhance the reputation of an organisation and enhance good relationships with the journalists.

What does a PR department do in terms of investor relations?

They look after the finances, communication and marketing in compliance with the security laws to work toward the primary goals of fair valuation of an organisation’s assets by utilising effective communications between the financial community, other constituencies and the company. The major work of investor relations includes meeting with the media, shareholders, preparing annual reports and maintaining the portion of the company’s website that deals with investor relations. They may also transmit information about the social responsibilities, policies and intangible assets of the company.

What does a PR department do in terms of labour relations?

They manage the workers or the worker’s union. The use of labour relations within PR helps to maintain a healthy relationship between its workers and management by acting a bridge between the two. Labour relations have the varied levels to operate on, such as shop floor levels, regional levels and national levels. The authority that is evenly distributed amongst these levels can aid in better functionality of the economy. The effectiveness of labour relations can depend upon its ability to react with the occurring changes to the system. Labour relations should be flexible with changes to any economical, political and technological areas.