Week 11 Blogging

PR Finally Gets Some Respect

The case study found in Chapter eight was one that really caught my interest. The study, which dealt with Boeing's move from Seatle to Chicago, shows one of the few times that public relations officials have received credit, as opposed to criticism.

The PR profession seems to be full of stories where companies fail, such as the American Red Cross case study, and the Edelman Worldwide "flogging" scandal. However, PR practitioners rarely get credit when they do something right.

It's similar to a offensive lineman in football, no one really cares, or talks about the positive things these players do on a regular basis. But, once one of them gives up a sack or doesn't block well enought it's all over the news and sports page.

The point is that PR professionals across the world are doing wonderful things, like setting up business continutity plans, getting information out about charaties and public works projects. Yet, the general public rarely gives them credit, becuase it's not flashy like advertising or marketing.

This example of Boeing's PR professionals being praised is one of only a few times where the people that work hard to make their companies better finally get the credit they deserve.

Brandon Brooks