Press Releases or Advertising? When Did We Cross The Line?
There was a time when a press release was a press release, and advertising was advertising. The difference was clear.
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Pamala Proverbs
Pamala P. Proverbs, Ph.D., MBA, APR, ABC is the managing director of PRMR Inc. She is a recent instructor and graduate of the College of Journalism and Communications, University of Florida. A career public relations practitioner of over twenty years, she approaches her scholarship pragmatically. Her research interests include corporate social responsibility, crisis communications and issues management particularly related to gender and development. In her role at PRMR Inc. she has written several strategic communications and crisis management plans for companies in a number of sectors including the private, public, multi-lateral and non-governmental sectors.
Public Relations Defined
The Public Relations Society of America has launched a project to have its members and others submit definitions for Public Relations. I read a number of stories surrounding this project and felt as if all of them were mine. Especially Rosanne Fiske’s story on your family not understanding what you do. When I worked at the Nation Newspaper as it Corporate Communications Manager, my mother was fine with that because she understood the concept of working for a reputable organization no matter the job. When I set up my own PR Agency she was however very worried for me because she could not fathom how I would make money and what service I was truly offering.
10 Vows For Success from The Greatest Salesman
One of my favourite pastimes is reading. I try to read a book a month. Not always possible but I think that this exercise is important not only as a source of entertainment, but also as a source of education and inspiration.
Its Time to Break the Social Media Stigma
Public Relations practitioners and communicators in general took social media for granted for a long time but now these social communities are the best and biggest things since slice bread. Everyday I open my email there is another invitation to attend a conference, seminar, webinar etc. on some social media tool like this one today for example from Amy Jefferies, Communications Director PR News.
Never Say "No Comment!"
One of my favourite areas in public relations is working with the media. Having worked alongside journalists for 10 years at the Nation newspaper as its communications specialist- “I get them.”
I loved to pass through the newsroom when there was a good story brewing. The discussions, the possible treatments as well as the circulation department’s excitement in the whole matter as it spelt paper sales - the news dynamic is a very enthralling and captivating one.
Business Owners Employee Challenges
On PRMR Inc.'s blog this week Mariama pointed readers to 101 tips for leaders and reading the post I could not help but think what tips are there not just for a manager, but also for a business owner especially in these harsh economic times. Being a public relations consultant who preaches employee engagement and creating a positive work environment, I am very cognizant about practicing what I preach as a business owner.
PRMR Inc. Sponsors IABC Southern Region Conference
PRMR Inc. is pleased to announce our sponsorship of the 2011 IABC Southern Region Conference, slated for New Orleans, in the Jazz and Blues category.
IABC Barbados Has A New Board
Last night I retained the presidency of IABC Barbados. Having been a founding member of the chapter I am witnessing first hand its struggles and its mini victories. We started with just about five members, grew to 15 last year and now at the start of my 2nd year as president, we have 23 members.
PR Practioners Don't Think Up Stories: My Response to Mail Online Story
I read the Mail Online story “Insider reveals: PR men would think up a story and Rebekah’s Sun and News of the World would run it word for word. Some were complete fiction” (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2013046/Rebekah-Brooks-Sun-News-World-run-fictional-stories-insider-claims.html) and was pretty much disgusted as a former journalism student and more so as a seasoned PR practitioner.
Clearly the story was fired with the passion of a disgruntled employee but despite this fact I took issue with the salacious depiction of the field of public relations. I take issue with the suggestion that we in the profession ‘think up’ stories. Yes writing is a big part of what we do, but to say we sit and dream up stories for clients shows a total disregard and lack of respect for the profession. Professional Code of Ethics governs the way the majority of professionals work on a daily basis. Both PRSA (http://www.prsa.org/aboutprsa/ethics/) and IABC (http://www.iabc.com/about/code.htm) have these codes prominent on their websites.
Local Communications Professional Earns International Accreditation
Pamala Proverbs, Managing Director at the communications consultancy, PRMR Inc has earned the Accredited Business Communicator (ABC) designation from the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).