Introduction to Public Relations (MCM401)

MCM401
Lecture No 09
OVERVIEW
In this lecture we will look at some of the areas where Public relations has been
particularly beneficial to organizations in recent years. This will also demonstrate
the versatility of PR, and show how it satisfies the needs of leaders of industry,
commerce and in other fields .It will also answer the criticism of the PR
practitioners that management rarely understands and appreciates PR. This
lecture will also explain as to how the managements of these days have
discovered the need for PR. Besides this it will also cover the skills of PR and
methods of presentations

Special Uses of Public Relations.

– Crisis Management….Likely & unlikely. There is hardly any company or
organization which does not pass through some kind of crisis in its life. It is
imperative that a crisis management program should be in place to effectively
counter such a situation ,like having a permanent crisis management team, who
should take cognizance of crisis both likely and unlikely.
– Desk top Publishing. The printed house journal, the world’s oldest form of
organized PR for now more than 170 years. The print has the permanence and
portability which can be retained and read almost anywhere at any time and by a
wide readership. Desk top publishing has made this very simple and effective.
– Corporate Identity. The creation of corporate identity scheme is often a PR
responsibility, because it applies to all aspects of an organization and is
significant part of total communication.
– Parliamentary Liaison. It covers relations between organizations, perhaps
using specialist consultants with the government, houses of the parliament. PR
helps to create a favorable lobby on various counts and for different reasons and
objectives. Basically it is of two kinds; firstly, keeping politicians and civil servants
aware of an organization’s interests, and secondly; keeping organizations aware
of parliamentary activities and procedures.

Page 1 of 4
© Copyright Virtual University of Pakistan
Introduction to Public Relations (MCM401)

– Financial PR. Financial PR has become very important growth area, calling for
special knowledge, calling for special knowledge of the financial world, and how it
works..
SKILLS of PR
– WRITING -- One of many effective PR Tools
– PRESENTATION -- CD ROMs, Power Point.
– MEDIA INTERVIEW -- Do things, the right way.

SKILLS of PR WRITING
– Short reports.
– Memos.
– Lists to break monotony.
– Highlight actions.
– Short introductions & summaries.
– When your boss prefers it.
– Correct format.

PRESENTATIONS

Important points for Presentations

– Collection of data. Sufficient and required data should be collected.
– Structure. You have to determine the structure of presentation.
– The words used. Appropriate and simple words should be used.
– Talking. You have to explain verbally also in tandem with visual presentation.
– Timing. It should be as brief as possible to avoid boring the audience.
– Workshops. Proper workshops would also assist.
– The Venue. Convenient and easily accessible location should be selected.
– Your Voice. Talk slowly and in a reasonable and clearly audible tone.
– Rehearse. Properly practice before going for presentation.
– Impromptu. You may ready to explain at the spur of the moment too.

Page 2 of 4
© Copyright Virtual University of Pakistan
Introduction to Public Relations (MCM401)

Media Interview Technique

PR practitioners need to organize & manage interviews & TV appearances
efficiently. They should always take following things into considerations to
conduct such interviews.
– Become used to making presentations.
– Know the subject.
– Should be a competent & confident communicator.
– Teach yourself or rehearse.
– Participate in Q&A session, even with friends.
– Arrive early.
– Be appropriately dressed.
– Do not lead answers to more questions.

Methods of Presentations.
– Computer.
– Audio.
– Video.
– Sampling.

Presentation Objectives.

For manufacturing companies.

– Organize a program of dealer activities to improve trade understanding of the
company.
– Improve the flow of corporate & financial news to the city & the financial press,
to be ready for a share or rights issue.
– Make a video of a sporting event which the company has sponsored.
– Develop more in-depth understanding of the company by relevant journalists
by organizing a series of presentations.
– Develop International PR in those overseas markets where the company
intends to set up distribution network.

Page 3 of 4
© Copyright Virtual University of Pakistan
Introduction to Public Relations (MCM401)

For a charity.

• Increase public awareness of the charity’s independence & that it is

supported by voluntary contributions.
• Make known the continuous story of the charity’s work.
• Seek a sponsor for & make a video or a CD Rom about the charity’s work
for people in disaster situations.
• Organize a series of interviews for relief and donation appeals.
• Seek industrial donors of advertising space in the press, Radio, TV etc.
• Promote & Project Fund raising campaigns.

For a Local Government.

1. Organize a program of talks & slide / Video / Computer based

presentations to school.
2. Organize a town history exhibition, visits by schools & seeking coverage
by press, radio & TV.
3. Publish, Edit & distribute a civic newspaper to make people residing in that
council to make them aware about the local authority’s services.
4. Organize & train team of councilors & officials to act as spokespeople
about council’s affairs.
5. Organize both local & national coverage of the opening of the town new
facility.

For a Trade Association.

1. Make better known the association’s code of practice.

2. Revamp the association’s newsletter for members and issue it monthly
instead of quarterly.
3. Obtain maximum media coverage of the association’s campaigns.
4. Organize seminars for members.
5. Participate in the annual trade exhibition.

Page 4 of 4
© Copyright Virtual University of Pakistan