Blog written by Courtney Lawrence
Molli’s last post really makes me think about how many people really know the basics about public relations, even people in the industry. For example, the difference between a public relations professional and a publicist?
A publicist is a person whose job it is to manage an image for a celebrity, book, film, or public figure. While a public relations professional manages communication of a business or organization with a positive image in mind. Yes, both put out fires, and yes, both get their clients in the news. But, I can’t remember the last time anyone in my office said, “There’s no such thing as bad publicity.”
We celebrate success, and don’t let our clients stay silent in times of change or failure. We work hard to get our clients in the news, blogs, media, and trades, but we do that by forming relationships and not by releasing statements when the “you-know-what” hits the fan. I’m not saying things don’t go wrong, but when they do, I don’t think it would go over well by asking the media to “respect my client’s privacy”.
Obviously neither profession is better than the other, just different in so many ways. “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some hire public relations.”
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