What is Public Relations?
To simplify public relations, Agility PR Solutions gave a great example mentioning how “a fire destroys an Ohio shoe manufacturing plant killing hundreds, capturing the nation’s attention, and every publicist on the planet representing everything from safety technology to shoe brands is pitching stories to the media trying to wedge into the news hole. At the same time, as national news carries the story, every local news outlet nationwide works to report on the tragedy and find some semblance of a tie between that plant and their region.”
This example gives someone reading this more of a grasp of how the public relation world works. With that being said, things sure did take a turn during one of the world's biggest pandemics, COVID-19.
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| Picture source: Rotary District 7030 |
Here Comes the Storm
This is one of the biggest stories reporters and publicists may cover in their career because at the moment, there is no finish line. Who knows when the pandemic will end because what we are seeing now is another wave about to hit the United States.
In the public relations world, crisis and reputation management became in high demand due to the fact all of these corporate companies were in panic mode during the pandemic. PR agencies stepped up and took the lead for companies internal communication agendas according to The Business Journal
The article from the Business Journal is a fantastic read, giving people insight on what the public relations world truly does in times of crises like COVID-19. Thankfully, PR agencies were already adapting to the virtual setting when the pandemic hit and good thing they are known for reacting quickly during a crisis.
Diversity and Equality
Not only during 2020 did the pandemic hit but on top of that, the Black Lives Matter movement took place. When this came to light, many brands found issues with their promotional work and needed to readjust their brand in an attempt to be supportive. The Business Journal effectively explains the roles PR agencies take in changing a company's brand to properly support diversity, equality, and more.
Mental Health and its Importance
Companies have thoroughly developed their internal agendas and understand now more than ever how important mental health is. The pandemic shined a light on all businesses in how they should be more considerate towards their employees health issues.
This affects PR agencies because they are experts on how to fully communicate to an audience mindfully. With health on the rise of importance, all businesses need to be on the front in their PR approach.
Good post. In reference to your opening, I dislike when every company feels the need to create a press release every time something happens. If I can't figure out their connection to the event, the release feels more unjustified
ReplyDeleteAbbey, I enjoyed reading through your post, as you broke down the unprecedented times that journalists and PR professionals are facing. The combination of a global pandemic, and the rise of civil rights movements, is unlike anything we've experienced before. I can only imagine the amount of pressure one must face when reporting, as these are very sensitive topics. However, it is those journalist's who challenge this sensitivity that have brought light to these hot button topics.
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