What is Public Relations?

Public relations, is a planned process to influence public opinion, through sound character and proper performance, based on mutually satisfactory two-way communication. It is the practice of managing the flow of information between an individual or an organisation and the public. The aim of public relations by a company often is to persuade the public, investors, partners, employees, and other stakeholders to maintain a certain point of view about it, its leadership, products, or of political decisions. It is corporate shield that the company can wear which would protect the company during adverse times. Public relations can also be defined simply as the practice of managing communication between an organisation and its public.

The aim of public relations is to inform the public, prospective customers, investors, partners, employees, and other stakeholders and ultimately persuade them to maintain a certain view about the organisation, its leadership, products, or of political decisions. Public relations professionals typically work for PR and marketing firms, businesses and companies, government, government agencies, and public officials as PIO, and nongovernmental organisations and non-profit organisations.

• Definitions

Public relations are a strategic communication process that builds mutually beneficial relationships between organisations and their public. – Public Relations Society of America

It is a management function, which tabulates public attitudes, defines the policies, procedures, and interests of an organisation, followed by executing a program of action to earn public understanding and acceptance. – Ivy Lee and Edward Louis Bernays

The art and social science of analyzing trends, predicting their consequences, counselling organisational leaders, and implementing planned programs of action, which will serve both the organisation and the public interest. - World Assembly of Public Relations Associations, 1978