Defining Public Relations

Public relations can have many different definitions depending on what source you are referencing. Rex Harlow, a well respected and a pioneer in the field of public relations put together a list of approximately 500 different definitions. Although there are several different definitions for public relations it has become a vital part today’s business world. It has been estimated that companies in the United States spend around $10 billion per year on public relations. (Wilcox, Ault, & Agee, 1998) This paper will examine a few of the definitions for Public Relations (PR) as well as compare and contrast these definitions.

A personal explanation of PR is relatively simple, it is a way for a company to establish and maintain a good image within the public’s eye. Another definition for PR is by Denny Grisword, she said “public relations is a management function which tabulates public attitudes, defines the policies, procedures of interest of a organization followed by executing a program of action to earn public understanding and acceptance.” (Wikipedia, 2006) The dictionary lists three different definitions for public relations: 1. “the art or science of establishing and promoting a favorable relationship with the public.” 2. “The methods and activities employed to establish and promote a favorable relationship with the public.” 3. “The degree of success obtained in achieving a favorable relationship with the public.” (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 2005) A European professor by the name Karl Nessmann coined these definitions, “creating and preserving communication and relationships” and “influencing public