Public Relations Definition

Public Relations

What is public relations? There seems to be many different answers to that question. Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary defines public as “of, relating to, or affecting all the people or the whole area of a nation or state.” It defines relations as “the state of being mutually or reciprocally interested” (Merriam-Webster, 2005). These two definitions indicate that public relations affect all the people of a nation or state that are mutually interested. This paper will provide my definition of public relations and will offer definitions from three different sources.

My Definition

Typically, larger companies have a public relations department or have some sort of public relations policy. The public relations (PR) spokesman usually is the liaison between the media and the represented company. My definition of public relations is the method a company or government agency uses to maintain communications and perceptions with the public. If an issue with the company needs to be addressed the PR spokesman will issue a statement to be released to the public or interested parties. If a company is trying to positively enhance its public perception, the PR department is called upon to address the company’s needs and provide appropriate information to the public. The PR spokesman will only say what needs to be said to deliver the company’s message. PR departments are an important avenue a company uses to communicate to its customers and the general public.

Other Definitions

The Wharton University of Pennsylvania marketing department defines public relations as “communication with various sectors of the public to influence their attitudes and opinions in the interest of promoting a person, product, or idea” (UPenn, 2005). The Michael J. Motto advertising and public relations firm defines it as “the business of generating goodwill toward an individual, cause, company, or product” (Motto, 2002). The Nebraska Jaycees provide this definition, “the acts of communicating what you are to the public. This is not to be confused with publicity, which is just one of the methods used in communicating the image” (NEJC, 2005).

Compare and Contrast

Although each definition may be different, the basis is the same. Each definition is stating a method in which to communicate to the public, in some fashion, a perception of the particular institution. By comparison, both the University of Pennsylvania and the Nebraska Jaycees describes communicating to the public as part of the definition. Mr. Motto implicates communication as “generating goodwill.” Also, each definition suggests that perception is the goal of the communication. My definition was not drastically different from the sources I found. Public perception and swaying opinion seem to be the general theme for a PR department.

The definitions are also quite different. For instance, UPenn suggests that the communication is used to influence attitudes.