Public Relations

Public relations is a broad profession that entails the use of varying communication between consumers and producers. According to the text book, "Public relations is a planned process to influence public opinion, through sound character and proper performance, based on mutually satisfactory two-way communication." In lame mans terms, this definition means that public relations is a carefully thought through plan to persuade the public with characteristics such as honesty, trustworthiness and fairness while doing what is understood to be right and having even communication between producers and consumers as stated before.

When asked what do public relations professionals do, there is not just one answer for that question. Public relations professionals work in many different fields. The textbook gives an example of public relations agent Karen Hughes, who alongside President George W. Bush helped to calm a nation shook up after the tragedy of 9-11-01. Another example of public relations agents was found on the hit MTVÐ'© show PoweRGirlsÐ'©. This show is basically a peep show into the lives of public relations agents who help to keep the lives of the rich and famous conflict free. The women on this show get to meet the hottest stars and go to hottest parties that regular folks cannot. My watching this show is what convinced me to change my major to public relations. I have always had an interest of working in the spotlight but not necessarily being what the spotlight is on. These are just two of the many examples of public relations that help to manage people's problems.

The practice of public relations has become quite prominent in the United States. "Public relations is a multi-billion dollar business practiced by more than 20,000 professionals." According to the textbook, "A direct correlation was found between how much a company spends on public relations and how much it is respected", simply saying that companies and organizations need public relations specialists to help keep their companies in good standing with the public for whatever reasons.

Public relations was described as a "planned process to influence public opinion." There are different process models such as the R.A.C.E. model proposed by John Marston which includes: research, action, communication and evaluation. Another model known by R.O.S.I.E. proposed by Sheila Clough Crifasi expands the