Professional Documents
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Merging Advertising and PR - IMC
Merging Advertising and PR - IMC
marketing communications
Rose, Patricia B; Miller, Debra A . The Journalism Educator ; Columbia Vol. 49, Iss. 2, (Summer 1994):
52.
ABSTRACT (ABSTRACT)
In the field of mass communications, a general belief that the integration of public relations activities with the total
communication program not only saves time and money but also improves the firm's or organization's ability to
protect the integrity of the product is emerging. The perceived educational needs of advertising and public
relations practitioners in this field are examined.
FULL TEXT
Integrated marketing communications (IMC), also known as integrated communications: advertising and public
relations (ICAP)--the merger of all communication functions under a single organizational unit-is one of the most
debated and controversial topics in the field of mass communication, both from an educational perspective and
from its practical application. For the most part, advertising educators are in favor of IMC, while public relations
educators tend to oppose it. This debate intensified at the recent AEJMC Conference at which the preliminary Task
Force Report was presented recommending curricular integration of public relations with advertising and/or
marketing (Duncan, Caywood &Newsom, 1993). A quick counter was made by the Educational Affairs Committee
(EAC) of the Public Relations Society of America opposing the conclusions and recommendations of the Task
Force. EAC's position is based on the belief that public relations is much broader than a marketing function and
fulfills different functions within the organization (Ferguson Turk, 1993). This was not unexpected; some public
relations educators have gone as far as to call the current movement imperialist and an encroachment on the field
(Lauzen, 1990; Dozier &Lauzen, 1990).
Regardless of the theoretical debate, the reality is that more and more clients are taking a multidisciplinary
approach to corporate communication planning (Alter, 1990; Kotler, 1987). Several forces account for this trend:
(a) Agency mega-mergers combined with greater emphasis on niche marketing have reduced the need for clients
to turn to multiple specialty firms (ad agencies, public relations agencies, direct response agencies, sales
promotion agencies, etc.) (Kalish, 1990); (b) An increased emphasis on bottom-line profits has spurred agencies to
add functions; (c) The proliferation of small, multipurpose agencies in smaller markets (Schultz, 1991); and (d) A
perceived need on the part of clients to integrate communications. Recently, Leo Burnett, the country's number
two ranked ad agency added sales promotion and event marketing to its existing integrated direct marketing
program. They believe that the integration has been successful (Kirk, 1991). Likewise, Ketchum Public Affairs has
adopted an integrated philosophy and is on record that their approach is "to start with the nature of the problem
and apply whatever communication discipline will help solve it" (Newsom, Carrell &Hussain, 1992). Even Manning,
Selvage &Lee, one of the world's largest public relations' firms, has stated "we are no longer content to stand alone-
-part of a team that includes advertising, marketing, sales promotion, and direct promotion." (Stanton, 1991). A
general belief is emerging: The integration of public relations activities with the total communication program not
only saves time and money but also improves the firms or organization's ability to protect the integrity of the
product (Nakra, 1991). The Task Force Report echoes these developments when it states, "it would seem that
those individuals and agencies who are best-prepared to work within an IMC atmosphere are the most likely to
DETAILS
Volume: 49
Issue: 2
Pages: 52
Number of pages: 0
ISSN: 0022551 7
LINKS
Rose, P. B., & Miller, D. A. (1994). Merging advertising and PR: Integrated marketing communications. The
Journalism Educator, 49(2), 52. Retrieved from
https://search.proquest.com/docview/215295319?accountid=15859