The Value of Positive Public Relations
- Public relations (PR) involves a business building relationships with the public, promoting a positive image for the business or brand as a whole and managing their reputation in the media
Diagram: Public Relations Approaches
PR activities include sponsorship, media relations, public events community outreach activities and publicity stunts
1. Sponsorship
- Aligning a businesses brand with an event, group or cause that reflects its values is a common form of public relations
- E.g Financial providers including Cinch, IG and Metro Bank sponsor England's international cricket team as the sport reflects values of fairness and exemplary conduct
- E.g Financial providers including Cinch, IG and Metro Bank sponsor England's international cricket team as the sport reflects values of fairness and exemplary conduct
- High-profile sponsorship increases visibility of a businesses logo and other branding elements, and can enhance the business's reputation and credibility
2. Media Relations
- Press conferences involve inviting media representatives to attend and ask questions at a dedicated event where a key business announcement is made, such as a new product launch
- E.g. Apple invites high-profile international journalists to its regular new product launches
- E.g. Apple invites high-profile international journalists to its regular new product launches
- Press releases are announcements of key business decisions or developments that are sent to media outlets such as newspapers, industry journals and broadcasters
- Businesses expect journalists to make use of press releases to write favourable news reports
- Businesses expect journalists to make use of press releases to write favourable news reports
3. Community Outreach
- Supporting organisations in the local community with donations or other resources can improve the reputation of a business within the area in which it operates
- E.g. McDonalds's Ronald McDonald House Charity provides short-term accommodation for families with children undergoing medical procedures in hospitals across the UK
- E.g. McDonalds's Ronald McDonald House Charity provides short-term accommodation for families with children undergoing medical procedures in hospitals across the UK
4. Publicity Stunts
- These are eye-catching events or activities designed to attract media coverage that draws attention to a brand
- E.g. In 2018 Elon Musk's SpaceX programme launched a Tesla Roadster car into space
- E.g. In 2018 Elon Musk's SpaceX programme launched a Tesla Roadster car into space
5. Public Events
- Some businesses hold open days where visitors, such as key customers or suppliers, can find out about a business by speaking to key personnel and experiencing facilities first-hand
- It is an opportunity for businesses to showcase the aspects in which it takes pride
- E.g. Universities and private schools hold regular open days where visitors receive campus tours and have the opportunity to speak to teaching and pastoral staff
- E.g. Universities and private schools hold regular open days where visitors receive campus tours and have the opportunity to speak to teaching and pastoral staff
Benefits & Drawbacks of Public Relations
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Exam Tip
In the exam you could be asked to explain how PR could help to improve a business's reputation. Focus on an example of a reputational issue a business may be trying to solve to structure your response.
Example
PR may help a business that has behaved in an environmentally irresponsible way [1] make amends with stakeholders by issuing press releases or holding a press conference [1] where a senior executive sincerely apologises and explains how the problem will be solved [1].