Define Public Relations Paper

Define Public Relations Paper

Heather Marley

MKT 438

Bea Bourne

December 20, 2007

Define Public Relations Paper

This paper defines Public Relations from three different sources and from my own personal opinion. Based on the definitions, this paper will compare the different definitions of public relations and why there are so many definitions.

Public Relations is not easy to define. It seems to be very broad when I think of one specific definition. The first thing that comes to my mind is that Public Relations help sell a product or service by drawing attention and focus through research and communication. When I think of public relations I also think of promotions, advertisement, and media. Public Relations also is the front end person when it comes to anything about the product. Press, inquiries, and information about the product itself are given by the public relations department.

According to Edward Bernays, "Public Relations is a management function which tabulates public attitudes, defines the policies, procedures and interest of an organization followed by executing a program of action to earn public understanding and acceptance" (Cole, 2007). Edward Bernays was known to be the first person to define public relations but from a psychological perspective. Sigmund Freud is also his uncle so we can see where his influence is from.

According to the Public Relations Society of America, Public relations helps our complex, pluralistic society to reach decisions and function more effectively by contributing to mutual understanding among groups and institutions. It serves to bring private and public policies into harmony (PRSA, 2007). Among the many institutions of our society, public relations serve as a connection for institutions to develop relationships with several different audiences to sell their product or service.

Another definition of public relations is the efforts to establish and maintain a company's image with the public (Investorwords.com, 2007). Although there are many different types