Public Relations Specialties

Public relations is a demanding a hectic job. One must be on the move and act on their twos at all times. Why? “Public relations practitioners advise and counsel the organization’s management on communications questions affecting its publics, they serve as an early-warning system on emerging issues related to its success, and they respond to a crisis.” How else does PR respond? “PR departments and agencies also provide technical support for other management functions with an emphasis on publicity, promotions and media relations. In addition they act as gatekeepers with the press, legislators, and government officials. Most managers prefer their PR person to be their representative to the public” (314). Other specialties of public relations include publicity or media relations, promotion or selling, community relations, government relations, public information, special events, employee relations, issues management, reputation management, crisis communications, and lobbying.

I think on of the most hilarious examples of someone who works in public relations is Billy Crystal’s character, Lee Phillips, in the movie America’s Sweethearts. Despite the persona he hold with this clients, the job always comes first – in this case promoting a movie; and Lee Phillips is willing to sacrifice Eddie and Gwen (the stars of the movie, played by John Cusack and Catherine Zeta-Jones) to do so.