Defining Public Relations Paper

Essay by michellesolo1University, Bachelor'sA+, July 2006

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What are Public Relations? Is there one real definition that will incorporate the various aspects of public relations and suffice? When asking different people, you are likely to get a wide range of answers. Many people understand that Public Relations is a vital part of an organization but when trying to give an exact definition, it can be difficult to clearly put into words. This paper will focus on my definition of public relations and how it compares and contrasts to three other definitions from various sources.

Personal Definition

The definition that I understood of public relations was an aspect of an organization that dealt with the community, media and government officials to pass information concerning that organization. The information could be presenting the organization in a positive light. It was also to handle negative factors that came against the organization. Public Relations was to counter negative factors and keep concerned bodies assured that the organization was all right and still in control of a situation.

In a sense, a Public Relations Officer was a spokesperson for the organization.

Defining Public Relations

Public Relations, defined by Michael J. Motto Advertising and Public Relations, (http://www.motto.com) is the business of generating goodwill toward an individual, cause, company, or product. Public Relations (Public Relations the Profession and the Practice, 2004, p. 5) defines public relations as a function of management, which facilitates defining an organizational philosophy and direction by maintaining communication within a firm and with outside forces, by monitoring and helping a firm become accustomed to important public opinion. Building Brands defines public relations as "planned and sustained effort to establish and maintain goodwill and mutual understanding between an organization and it publics" (http://www.buildingbrands.com).

Compare and Contrast

The similarities between the three definitions from different sources are communication...