Comments on: Public Relations can be Challenging

By: Geoff Livingston

Geoff Livingston — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 19:57:40 +0000

In online communities, there’s increasing convergence between marketing disciplines. I wrote a post called Convergence on that topic http://www.livingstonbuzz.com/blog/2007/12/10/convergence/

As to marketing spin, not as bad as PR. I think the point is that everyone — including organizations have a point of view — but they must be grounded in facts, not spun BS.

By: Connie

Connie — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 17:42:35 +0000

Thanks for your comment Geoff. It really made me think. It may seem odd, but I don’t separate PR from marketing. Their spaces are starting to become more clear to me, and maybe this is because I don’t have a formal marketing education? I have seen you & Brian Solis talk about this.

So I have a question back – doesn’t marketing put a ’spin’ on things, too? (Having a feeling Connie’s going to get an education in the difference between marketing & PR…which is great because I’m willing to learn!)

By: Geoff Livingston

Geoff Livingston — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 15:56:18 +0000

I totally agree with the post except one thing, which is Andrew’s comment: “The role is not pure PR. The blogger can’t spin things they don’t believe.” PR’s roles is not to spin, it’s role is to build goodwill between an organization and its community. This is the classic purpose of PR.

In actuality, if PR was actually done correctly the community manager role should fall under this department. But because my industry is filled with folks who believe in controlling the message even if it means lying, corresponding Spin, and media relations as the primary outreach form, PR may never have more than an influencers role in social media. That’s why this business is

In the case of Shashi’s company, he is actually in the PR department. His group gets it. Obviously, it differs from company to company.

By: Connie

Connie — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 14:52:31 +0000

Andrew,
I think that we’re headed in that direction. Companies are realizing the value. Your summary was quite eloquently said. Thank you!

By: Andrew Wright

Andrew Wright — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 14:38:48 +0000

Hi Connie…thanks for the kind response to my post. Here’s hoping that Shashi and others in positions like him succeed in changing the way organizations interact with their constituencies, and hopefully think more about the decisions they make and how they will affect their relationships with customers, etc.