Functions of Public Relations

Essay by CYN2DAYUniversity, Bachelor'sA-, December 2006

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The functions of Public Relations (PR) can be grouped into two loose categories: organizational and societal. Many viewpoints of the functions fall into both categories and are not mutually limited. The scope of organizational functions of PR involves actions concerning the company, and societal functions of PR interests' activities regarding society. Organizational functions of PR are activities that interact with or affect organizations while societal functions of PR have to do with actions that connect to the public. Communications management, media, government affairs, publicity, investor relations, community relations, consumer relations, and employee relations are organizational functions while marketing communications, consumer relations, public affairs and issues management plus social responsibility are societal functions. An industry must develop a positive image to the public and within the industry. (Sitel 2006) To present this image successfully, a corporation must take need action in both categories.

Organizaitonal Functions

Organizational functions are just as the title would imply, in-house.

Farlex defines communications management as "the systematic planning, implementing, monitoring, and revision of all the channels of communication within an organization and between organizations" (Farlex 2006)

Communication is essential in getting the message the company wants to employees, investors and other businesses. To ensure the exact message a company wants to convey is conveyed, the message has to be prepared for each audience, it must have all the information necessary for that audience so they understand the message and is the message the company expects. (Harris 2006) It is important to remember any internal messages will most likely become external messages as they are shared with family and friends.

Investor relations are any activity leading to the disclosure of information required by compliance and to make good investment judgments. (Farlex 2006) Since most large companies are publicly traded having one person collect information on competitors, annual...