CHAPTER ONE
1.1 Background To The Study
According to Ivy Lee,(1900
) public relations is a management function, which assesses public
attitudes, and defines the policies, procedures and interests of an
institution towards executing a program of action to earn public image
of appreciation and acceptance.
The significance of PR is to build good
image and relationship with the institutions various publics through
favourable publicity, handling crisis management issues and building a
good corporate image, in today’s modern society institutions with PR
department must be proficient in the use of social media. Mark Burgess
It is the role of Public relations to
inform the public about news affect the news, receives the news, and
react to the news towards building the brand image of the institution
through the media.PR determines the shape of an institution reputation,
image, culture, brand perception. PR utilizes various modes to build the
image of the institution such as the use of radio, digital video, tv,
print , broadcast, and the social media. Apparently social media has
greatly affected other modes of communication in today’s communication
sector. Lisa Buyer – The Buyer Group. Heidi cohen (2011)Public
relations specialists ensure the establishment and maintenances of good
relationships with the institutions publics, media, and opinion leaders.
PR responsibility include the writing of speeches, acting as the institutions spokesperson, designing communications campaigns, preparing clients for press conferences, writing news ,working with the press, arranging media interviews and speeches, managing the website and social media , managing crisis to build institutions reputations , handling internal communications,
and marketing activities , event management and brand protection .The
research therefore seek to appraise Public Relations As a Managerial
Tool In a Business Organization - A case study of Telecommunications
companies.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The 21st century has
greatly affected the nature and role of PR. This is because the Internet
has facilitated the easy dissemination and rejection of messages. The
clutter of PR messages can mislead readers and viewers, and at the same
time can go viral enough to make the possibilities intriguing.
Institutions will have to address salient issues to enhance the
effectiveness of PR in today’s internet driven society. Credibility; PR
professional must work extra hard to gain credibility as a result of the
evolution of internet social media. This means that gaining access to
media outlet would demand the presentation of credible messages as media
editors are out to screen PR Messages for credibility, accuracy,
professionalism and quality. The 21st century has facilitated people
with internet facility to get a message out in seconds. This has led
to lot of exaggeration and false claims that has eluded the
credibility of PR promotions .Consequently an institution must evolves
measures to establish the credibility of its messages. This can
include establishing your credentials and background, third party
endorsement who will be ready to offer the facts and figures to support
your credentials. Multiple Channels; Today there are multiple channels
of communication other than the traditional methods of TV, radio and
newspapers. Institutions must choose the most suitable medium to reach
its target audience. For example, your institution can adopt a PR
campaign using text messaging to target young people, an email
internet medium to reach the parents of young people and traditional
newspaper to target the seniors. Also those messages must be stated
differently to suit the method of distribution. Therefore it is
pertinent to utilize the right channel and the right message to target
your audience. Measuring Impact of Social Media; Another challenge
facing todays PR is the ability to measure the impact of your messages
on the social media, while it is possible for your messages to appear
in various social media network, it is also possible for those messages
not to be accepted in many of the those Social media platform. This is
because some people may not welcome interruptions while on the internet
trying to source for information. Consequently some promotional
activities may not really create the required impact can look like a PR
person’s dream. Kevin Johnston(2016). Therefore the problem confronting the research is to appraise Public Relations As a Managerial Tool In a Business Organization - A case study of Telecommunications companies.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
To appraise Public Relations As a Managerial Tool In a Business Organization - A case study of Telecommunications companies.
1.4 Research Questions
What is the nature of Public Relations
as a Managerial Tool in a Business Organization - A case study of
Telecommunications companies?
1.5 Significance of the Study
The study shall proffer an appraisal of
Public Relations As a Managerial Tool In a Business Organization - A
case study of Telecommunications companies.
1.6 Research Hypothesis
Ho The impact of Public Relation as a managerial tool inTelecommunication companies is low
Hi The impact of Public Relation as a managerial tool inTelecommunication companies is high
1.7 Scope of the Study
The study focuses on the appraisal of Public Relation as a managerial tool . A case study of Telecommunication
1.8 Limitations of the Study
The study was confronted by some constraints including logistics and geographical factors.
1.9 Definition of Terms
PUBLIC RELATION DEFINED
According to Ivy Lee,(1900
) public relations is a management function, which assesses public
attitudes, and defines the policies, procedures and interests of an
institution towards executing a program of action to earn public image
of appreciation and acceptance.
REFERENCES
Grunig, James E; Hunt, Todd (1984), Managing Public Relations (6th ed.), Orlando, FL: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich
Heidi Cohen (2011) actionable marketing guide
Kevin Johnston (2016) Challenges of Public Relations in the 21st Century
Rubel, Gina F. (2007), Everyday Public Relations for Lawyers (1st ed.), Doylestown,
Roos, Dave.(2014) "What Is Public Relations?" How Stuff Works. N.p., 5
Seitel, Fraser P. (2007), The Practice of Public Relations. (10th ed.), Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall
SHOEMAKER, P. J. (2017)"Public Relations versus Journalism: Comments on Turow". American Behavioral Scientist. 33 (2): 213–215