Monday, September 28, 2009

Understanding the Past

"You have to know the past to understand the present" this was stated by Dr. Carl Sagan who was an American writer and scientist. Today this quote is more evident than ever in the changing spectrum of PR. I am currently reading the text "Putting the Public Back in Public Relations" by Brian Solis and Deirdre Breakenridge. This book has helped me to understand the true meaning and value of public relations by recognizing and understanding PR's founding fathers. The founding fathers of PR are Ivy Lee and Edward Bernays. These men could be consider manipulators or spin doctors but both agreed that PR is a two-way street and about building relationships. Today more than ever with the expanding social media/web 2.0 its evident that PR practitioners are losing focus of their original foundation. PR today is throwing "messages" at "audiences" without determining their targets needs or their channels of influence. If you think about it PR has always been about building relationships and using meaningful communication if we can grasp that today our future will live on until tomorrow.
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5 comments:

  1. noahSeptember 28, 2009 at 12:29 PM

    As a history minor, I fully appreciate that quote by Sagan. To move forward, we have to build on the past.

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  2. Marti KSeptember 28, 2009 at 1:05 PM

    PR is about building relationships and using meaningful communication and with social media sites its more involved than ever. If our founding fathers had this kind of technology it would be overwhelming as to what they could have accomplished and where we would be today. Also, good thing we are trying to break out of the mold of being manipulators and spin doctors.

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  3. ClareSeptember 29, 2009 at 1:32 PM

    I completly agree with you Marti.. can you imagine the difference in PR today of our founding fathers new about the up coming technology we faced. I bet PR would be fully emerged in social media.

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  4. CherylOctober 5, 2009 at 4:49 AM

    Thanks for the entertaining rap--he sounds like he is fully connected!
    Seriously, I find it a challenge to keep up with all the forms of communication that we need to be tracking. I follow blog posts for both knowledge and entertainment, but I rarely have access to the Web during my work day. I especailly appreciate the 24/7 access.

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  5. Katie SchmielOctober 5, 2009 at 7:57 AM

    I agree completely Clare. I do think that PR practitioners need to target there audience and pay more attention to their needs.

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