Aila Kubat
11 oktober 2019
Exploring public
relations
Chapter 1: Public relations origins:
definition and history
“Students understand that “Public relations” is a complex concept, are aware of the various definitions
of what PR is or could be, recognize the debates around the nature of PR and understand the
complexity of the practice itself.
Students are able to describe the key features of the history of PR in the United States, Britain and
Germany.”
What is public relations?
Public relations does not have 1 specific definition, for each country and each organization
public relations has a different meaning. Throughout the centuries PR (Public Relations)
has been around in almost every single different form imaginable. In this chapter you will
see how the United States, Britain and Germany have handled their PR and what it means
to each one of them.
The United States & PR
Railway companies, religious organizations and traveling entertainment (circuses)
They were all engaged in public relations in the fi nal two or three decades of the 19th
century (1800-1900). The term ‘public relations’ was used in that time but it wasn’t
recognized as a real thing. Circuses for example used newspapers to gain more
popularity, and infl uence the publics relations to their circus.
Three former newspaper reporters start the ‘Publicity bureau of Boston’ in 1900
This was the first of its kind, they used it as a general press agent business. However, it did
only last for about 10 years. Even though it didn’t last for really long they did became an
example to others. Like, William Wolf Smith (1902) and Parker & Lee (1904).
Parker & Lee was especially notable because they employed, Ivy L. Lee, who became the
first high-profile public relations adviser and a major influence on US practice until his
early death in 1934. Parker was also very interesting he had worked for the president.
Summary, Pagina 4
, Aila Kubat
11 oktober 2019
Britain 🇬🇧 & PR
‘The first public relations agency’ by Basil Clarke in 1924
Basil Clarke wrote this book wherein he talked about industrial propaganda, and
especially the propaganda in the work place and communication to employees.
‘The Empire Marketing Board’ campaigns run by Stephen Tallents In the 1920s &
1930s
Stephen Tallents ran this campaign to promote British empire trade, and to develop trade
and business amongst nations, dominions and colonies of the British empire.
Germany 🇩🇪 & PR
The German State realized the value of PR quite early on. In Germany, the issue rose about
the differences between advertisement, PR materials, and pure journalism.
Post-war Germany was split up in east and west. PR in West Germany was more open to
debate and discussion with both media and the public, whereas East Germany stayed
behind, as companies were failing because of the bad economy.
Summary, Pagina 5
11 oktober 2019
Exploring public
relations
Chapter 1: Public relations origins:
definition and history
“Students understand that “Public relations” is a complex concept, are aware of the various definitions
of what PR is or could be, recognize the debates around the nature of PR and understand the
complexity of the practice itself.
Students are able to describe the key features of the history of PR in the United States, Britain and
Germany.”
What is public relations?
Public relations does not have 1 specific definition, for each country and each organization
public relations has a different meaning. Throughout the centuries PR (Public Relations)
has been around in almost every single different form imaginable. In this chapter you will
see how the United States, Britain and Germany have handled their PR and what it means
to each one of them.
The United States & PR
Railway companies, religious organizations and traveling entertainment (circuses)
They were all engaged in public relations in the fi nal two or three decades of the 19th
century (1800-1900). The term ‘public relations’ was used in that time but it wasn’t
recognized as a real thing. Circuses for example used newspapers to gain more
popularity, and infl uence the publics relations to their circus.
Three former newspaper reporters start the ‘Publicity bureau of Boston’ in 1900
This was the first of its kind, they used it as a general press agent business. However, it did
only last for about 10 years. Even though it didn’t last for really long they did became an
example to others. Like, William Wolf Smith (1902) and Parker & Lee (1904).
Parker & Lee was especially notable because they employed, Ivy L. Lee, who became the
first high-profile public relations adviser and a major influence on US practice until his
early death in 1934. Parker was also very interesting he had worked for the president.
Summary, Pagina 4
, Aila Kubat
11 oktober 2019
Britain 🇬🇧 & PR
‘The first public relations agency’ by Basil Clarke in 1924
Basil Clarke wrote this book wherein he talked about industrial propaganda, and
especially the propaganda in the work place and communication to employees.
‘The Empire Marketing Board’ campaigns run by Stephen Tallents In the 1920s &
1930s
Stephen Tallents ran this campaign to promote British empire trade, and to develop trade
and business amongst nations, dominions and colonies of the British empire.
Germany 🇩🇪 & PR
The German State realized the value of PR quite early on. In Germany, the issue rose about
the differences between advertisement, PR materials, and pure journalism.
Post-war Germany was split up in east and west. PR in West Germany was more open to
debate and discussion with both media and the public, whereas East Germany stayed
behind, as companies were failing because of the bad economy.
Summary, Pagina 5
