Public Relations involves a variety of programs designed to maintain or
enhance a company's image and the products and services it offers. Successful
implementation of an effective public relations strategy can be a critical
component to a marketing plan.
A public relations (PR) strategy may play a key role in an organization's
promotional strategy. A planned approach to leveraging public relations
opportunities can be just as important as advertising and sales promotions.
Public relations is one of the most effective methods to communicate and relate
to the market. It is powerful and, once things are in motion, it is the most
cost effective of all promotional activities. In some cases, it is free.
The success of well executed PR plans can be seen through several
organizations that have made it a central focus of their promotional strategy.
Paul Newman's Salad Dressing, The Body Shop, and Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream have
positioned their organizations through effective PR strategies. Intel, Sprint
and Microsoft have leveraged public relations to introduce and promote new
products and services.
Similar to the foundational goals of marketing, effective public relations
seeks to communicate information to:
- Launch new products and services.
- Reposition a product or service.
- Create or increase interest in a product, service, or brand.
- Influence specific target groups.
- Defend products or services that have suffered from negative press or
perception.
- Enhance the firm's overall image.
- The result of an effective public relations strategy is to generate
additional revenue through greater awareness and information for the products
and services an organization offers.
Goals and Objectives
Good strategy begins with identifying your goals and stating your objectives.
What are the goals and objectives behind your public relations strategy and can
they be measured and quantified?
Each of these areas may reflect the goals your public relations campaign may
seek to accomplish.
Press relations
Communicating news and information of interest about organizations in the most
positive light.
Product and service promotion
Sponsoring various efforts to publicize specific products or services.
Firm communications
Promoting a better and more attractive understanding of the organization with
internal and external communications.
Lobbying
Communicating with key individuals to positively influence legislation and
regulation.
Internal feedback
Advising decision makers within the organization regarding the public's
perception and advising actions to be taken to change negative opinions.
