Definition Of Public Relations

Definition of Public Relations

PRSA, firm providing financial support to organizations to advance the public relations profession, has the following mission statement: “Founded in 1990, the Public Relations Society of America Foundation is a philanthropic arm of the public relations profession, committed to the development of programs to advance public relations research, education and scholarships, while encouraging contributions from those who stand to benefit from its advancement” (PRSA). PRSA defines public relations as enriching the overall reputation of a profession, increasing the firms impact and reputation overall, as well, extending recognition of a profession as members of a senior management team who are valued.

"Public relations helps an organization and its publics adapt mutually to each other." According to the PRSA, the essential functions of Public Relations include research, planning, communications dialogue and evaluation” (PRSA). Professional and academic stature are said to be achieved after proper public relation actions. Per Wikipedia, Public relations (PR) is defined as the “practice of managing the flow of information between an organization and its publics.1 PR aims to gain an organization or individual positive exposure to their key stakeholders. Common activities include speaking at conferences, winning industry awards, working with the press and employee communications”. Public relations has become widely known as a function of management tabulating public efforts and attitudes, defining policies, procedures and “…interests of an organization followed by executing a program of action to earn public understanding and acceptance," (Wikipedia).

Today "Public Relations is a set of management, supervisory, and technical functions that foster an organization's ability to strategically listen to, appreciate, and respond to those persons whose mutually beneficial relationships with the organization are necessary if it is to achieve its missions and values." (Encyclopedia of Public Relations). Public relations is known to the Encyclopedia of Public Relations as a function of management focusing on communication that is two ways as well as practicing and implementing relationships that are mutually beneficial between the public and an organization.

Compare and Contrast

Three sources were given to define Public relations and there are different comparisons between the definitieons from each source. PRSA agrees with Wikipedia and the Encyclopedia of Public Relations insomuch that they all describe public relations as a two-way conversatietoon, translation or understanding from an organisator or entity to the public. The contrast of each definition for public relations depends primary on the source of information