The serious business of public relations
It is interesting that the word ‘consultant’ derives from the Latin, consultare, meaning to debate or discuss. That implies its function is to assist in two-way communications – yet, the role of management consultancy is positioned as assisting organizations to improve performance, through logical analysis and development of plans. The focus is more on management [...]
Public relations remains focused on media relations
From a PR perspective, there’s a problem with all the discussion regarding the merits or otherwise of paywalls to access online content, the impact of social media or the role of PR versus marketing in this brave new world. It’s all about the media – with little consideration of what we should really be interested [...]
Is there such a thing as European public relations?
By Janette van Kalkeren
The European continent comprises 51 countries with a total of 837 million habitants. Of these, 27 countries (500 million citizens) are members of the European Union (EU), within which there is free movement of people, goods, services and capital; 16 of these countries have the same currency, the Euro. So does this [...]
The four Cs of centralized vs localized message development
Cost, Complexity, Control and Credibility
By Diane K. Rose
We’ve all heard the mantra that organizational messaging must be consistent across all stakeholders — that it solidifies branding, builds trust with customers and employees, communicates the value of products and services and so on.
Got it. Understood.
Now throw globalization into the mix. Whether you embrace or detest it, [...]
Marriage of European and North American PR thought leadership
By Fraser Likely
Even for those in the public relations and communication management field who paid the slightest bit of attention to international developments over this past summer, the Stockholm Accords and the Barcelona Principles came as a surprise. Certainly, for those of us based in North America, the surprise may have had an element of [...]
A one-two push to the Stockholm Accords: Integrated reporting and brand monetary evaluation
By Toni Muzi Falconi
Stockholm Accords definitions
As defined by the Stockholm Accords, the PR leader of a communicative organization plays two fundamental and strategic roles:
1. A “political” role in supporting and providing the organization’s leadership with the necessary, timely and relevant information, which allows it to effectively govern value networks, as well as an intelligent, constant [...]
Time for the truth about journalism
“Journalism is just ditchwater”, a quote attributed to Carlyle in 1881, contrasts with the claims of modern journalists who believe they play a critical role in society as the Fourth Estate following in the footsteps of the investigative power evidenced in the Watergate saga. It is this idea of the power of the media that [...]
Public relations should embrace not deny its marketing links
Many people think that PR is a subset of marketing – they are wrong [See this classic: ToughSledding post/comments if you don’t agree]. But so are those working in PR who seek to put great distance between what they do and marketing. The denial of the close relationship with marketing which is necessary in most [...]
Barcelona 1 – Evaluation 0?
This month saw another cross-border event, with the agreement and publication of the “Barcelona Declaration of Research Principles” at the 2nd European Summit on Measurement. Five global bodies and 200 delegates from 33 countries all voted overwhelmingly to adopt a set of basic principles.
How to cut 50% spend on public relations
To paraphrase that old saying about advertising, is it possible that organizations are wasting half their PR spend? In the face of plans by many governments – such as the UK and Italy – to cut their communications budget, how should the public relations industry respond? Here I share some of my thoughts – and a suggestion from Toni Muzi-Falconi.