Public relations and managing reputation

Social media allows for issues to be identified, monitored and managed extremely quickly, as well as real-time stakeholder interaction and relationship enhancement. But it also facilitates bad news spreading like wildfire. These fiery themes were all-pervasive at the recent Frocomm crisis communication and social media summit and are discussed here.

There are multiple benefits to being a member of an industry association, both on a personal and altruistic level. Being a member of an industry association is at least partially a selfless, sharing, positive act. It says you care about your profession, value continuing professional education and are in touch with contemporary developments in your field.

Public relations is both a positive social force and a facilitator for helping positive social forces take place. Climate change is a perfect example of how public relations can make, and help make, a positive difference to the world. This post discusses how this can occur at both a strategic and tactical level.

Marketers are often much better than public relations professionals at thinking, and acting, laterally about the range of weapons in the communication professional ‘arsenal’ that can be used to achieve objectives. Their activity can be more business relevant; use evaluation more effectively; use databases to greater effect and more.

Who has responsibility for educating public relations professionals so that they maximise the profession’s strategic and/or functional potential? Candidates include: universities, industry associations, leaders of public relations within organisations, PR consultancy leaders.