Public relations specialistsAn organization�s reputation, profitability, and even its continued existence can depend on the degree to which its targeted �publics� support its goals and policies. Public relations specialists—also referred to as communications specialists and media specialists, among other titles—serve as advocates for businesses, nonprofit associations, universities, hospitals, and other organizations, and build and maintain positive relationships with the public. As managers recognize the growing importance of good public relations to the success of their organizations, they increasingly rely on public relations specialists for advice on the strategy and policy of such programs. Public relations specialists handle organizational functions such as media, community, consumer, industry, and governmental relations; political campaigns; interest-group representation; conflict mediation; or employee and investor relations. They help an organization and its public adapt mutually to each other. However, public relations are not only about �telling the organization�s story.� Understanding the attitudes and concerns of consumers, employees, and various other groups also is a vital part of the job. To improve communication, public relations specialists establish and maintain cooperative relationships with representatives of community, consumer, employee, and public interest groups, and with representatives from print and broadcast journalism. Informing the general public, interest groups, and stockholders of an organization�s policies, activities, and accomplishments is an important part of a public relations specialist�s job. The work also involves keeping management aware of public attitudes and the concerns of the many groups and organizations with which they must deal. Media specialists draft press releases and contact people in the media who might print or broadcast their material. Many radio or television special reports, newspaper stories, and magazine articles start at the desks of public relations specialists. Sometimes, the subject is an organization and its policies towards its employees or its role in the community. Often, the subject is a public issue, such as health, energy, or the environment. Public affairs specialists also arrange and conduct programs to keep up contact between organization representatives and the public. For example, they set up speaking engagements and often prepare speeches for company officials. These media specialists represent employers at community projects; make film, slide, or other visual presentations at meetings and school assemblies; and plan conventions. In addition, they are responsible for preparing annual reports and writing proposals for various projects. In government, public relations specialists—who may be called press secretaries, information officers, public affairs specialists, or communication specialists—keep the public informed about the activities of government agencies and officials. For example, public affairs specialists in the U.S. Department of State keep the public informed of travel advisories and of U.S. positions on foreign issues. A press secretary for a member of Congress keeps constituents aware of the representative�s accomplishments. In large organizations, the key public relations executive, who often is a vice president, may develop overall plans and policies with other executives. In addition, public relations departments employ public relations specialists to write, research, prepare materials, maintain contacts, and respond to inquiries. People who handle publicity for an individual or who direct public relations for a small organization may deal with all aspects of the job. They contact people, plan and research, and prepare materials for distribution. They also may handle advertising or sales promotion work to support marketing. Related news articles Big Island homeowners report quake damage - 16 Oct 2006 Honolulu Advertiser,Others reported collapsed rock walls, and some wondered if their homes were safe for occupancy, said Janet Snyder, public relations specialist for the county. ... Pockets: What's in yours? - 16 Oct 2006 Carlisle Sentinel,It would also allow for medics hundreds of miles away to mass-triage a unit to better direct a field medic, a public relations specialist says. ... EMS SATCOM SwiftBroadband Technology Selected for MCS-7100 Series ... - 16 Oct 2006 PrimeZone (press release),1415 Mobile: (613) 286-5235 [email protected] Kelly Fry, Public Relations Specialist (613) 727-6277, ext. 2555 [email protected]. On The Move - Oct 15, 2006 Charlotte Observer,Mike Ambs joined ECMS Worldwide, Huntersville, as a marketing manager.Meredith Beck joined Eventys as a public relations specialist. ... On the move - Oct 9, 2006 Las Vegas Business Press,...cakes and pastries. The Firm Public Relations and Marketing hired Jasen Woehrle as public relations specialist. Previously, he was ... Syracuse Press Club adds six to Wall of Distinction - Oct 15, 2006 Syracuse Post Standard,She began working at Channel 5 in 1988, leaving 10 years later to become a public relations specialist for the Small Business Administration in Syracuse. ... Chelsea Neighborhood Association to honor Garvin, Catanoso - Oct 11, 2006 Press of Atlantic City,Members of ACCC's College Relations staff, who worked on the projects are: Stacey Clapp, public relations specialist, of Galloway Township; Kathleen J. Corbalis ... First Nine Champions Crowned At SCCA Runoffs - Oct 15, 2006 Autochannel (press release)...ever Runoffs victory. Credit: (c) SCCA Erin Cechal SCCA Public Relations Specialist 800/770-2055 [email protected]. Compare low price ... Eight More Champions Crowned At Second Day of SCCA Runoffs - Oct 15, 2006 Autochannel (press release)Royal Oak, Mich., Chevrolet Corvette 5, Edward Zabinski, Sunny Isles Beach, Fla., Ferrari 360 -30- Erin Cechal SCCA Public Relations Specialist 800/770-2055 ... CNW Group Daybook for Wednesday, October 11, 2006 ALL TIMES ARE ... - Oct 11, 2006 CNW Telbec (Communiqués de presse),...ca; Ann Dennis, Public Relations Specialist, o : (905) 737-1147 x 2424, c: (416) 985-1516, ann.dennisstaples.ca URL: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive ... Batelco's dream gifts - Oct 13, 2006 Gulf Daily News,...affairs general manager Ahmed Al Janahi presents the phones to Dreamflight Bahrain co-ordinator Debbie Beedie as public relations specialist Madeleine Doporto ... LAPD's `local hero' praised for cultural outreach efforts - Oct 9, 2006 Whittier Daily News,Mu iz, who works as a LAPD public relations specialist, was honored last month as one of five Local Hero of the Year recipients. ... The gospel of prosperity - Oct 9, 2006 Denver Post,...the community and their congregation, trying to be as aboveboard as humanly possible," said Jackelyn Viera Iloff, a public relations specialist hired to ... Tim Fallon Swamped By Critics - Oct 9, 2006 Minivan News,The Hill & Knowlton executive posted an entry on his blog in an attempt to assuage critics of his role as President Gayoom’s public relations specialist. ... Media Alert/Photo Opportunity - STAPLES Business Depot Celebrates ... - Oct 11, 2006 Canada NewsWire (press release),Saccal, Public Relations Manager, o: (905) 737-1147 x 2363, c: (416) 570-9978, [email protected]; Ann Dennis, Public Relations Specialist, o : (905 ... Ford, wife unable - Oct 12, 2006 Ann Arbor News,...ceremony to dedicate Weill Hall, the new home of the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, said Jared Wadley, senior public relations specialist at the ... Web Site Design for Users on the 'Go Daddy Go' - Oct 10, 2006 TechWebCONTACT: Tony Felice, Public Relations Specialist of GoDaddy.com, Inc., [email protected]+1-480-505-8800 ext. 4262, tfelice@GoDaddycom or. Former Canton man’s destiny ruled by his choices; he raises $500 ... - Oct 7, 2006 Canton Daily Ledger,After his marriage, he and his wife moved to Brigham City, Utah where he worked for Thiokol Chemical Corporation as a public relations specialist on the Air ... More information on Public relations specialists from The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook Overview of Public relations specialists occupation Number of Public relations specialists in the U.S. Salary and earnings for Public relations specialists Working conditions for Public relations specialists Significant points for Public relations specialists Training requirements for Public relations specialists Labor Information Home | Occupational data by city | Search Rainforests | Madagascar | What's new |