Defining Public Relations

Public relations can have many different definitions depending on what source you are referencing. Rex Harlow, a well respected and a pioneer in the field of public relations put together a list of approximately 500 different definitions. Although there are several different definitions for public relations it has become a vital part today's business world. It has been estimated that companies in the United States spend around $10 billion per year on public relations. (Wilcox, Ault, & Agee, 1998) This paper will examine a few of the definitions for Public Relations (PR) as well as compare and contrast these definitions.

A personal explanation of PR is relatively simple, it is a way for a company to establish and maintain a good image within the public's eye. Another definition for PR is by Denny Grisword, she said "public relations is a management function which tabulates public attitudes, defines the policies, procedures of interest of a organization followed by executing a program of action to earn public understanding and acceptance." (Wikipedia, 2006) The dictionary lists three different definitions for public relations: 1. "the art or science of establishing and promoting a favorable relationship with the public." 2. "The methods and activities employed to establish and promote a favorable relationship with the public." 3. "The degree of success obtained in achieving a favorable relationship with the public." (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 2005) A European professor by the name Karl Nessmann coined these definitions, "creating and preserving communication and relationships" and "influencing public opinion". (Wilcox, Ault, & Agee, 1998)

All of these different definitions seem to be relaying the same common message. Trying to remember these or any other definitions seems to be redundant. The numerous definitions of PR may be explained