What's Wrong with PR Ed; An Interview with BU's Don WrightPosted by an Honored Guest
It is our distinct pleasure today to have with us Dr. Donald K. Wright, Professor of Public Relations in the College of Communication at Boston University. Don recently made a few comments that have raised more than a few ears and eyebrows. By way of background, Dr. Wright was recently given the 2007 Distinguished Service Award by the elite Arthur W. Page Society. BIG STUFF! Professor Wright is one of a small number of full-time educators who hold membership in the Page Society. Dr. Wright is the first full-time educator to receive the Award and only the second to become an honorary member. Here's where it gets interesting. While accepting the award, Dr. Wright made a few remarks specifically about the awful state of PR education today. Yikes! Gutzy! And now it's got everybody buzzin'. Anyway, we got the chance to sit down with Professor Wright. Without further ado... CHAPEL: “First, thanks for taking the time to talk with us today. Congratulations on your award. Let me get right to it: word is you were somewhat critical of PR practitioners in your acceptance remarks. One online report claims you, 'rapped the PR industry for failure to provide support for PR education.' Care to comment?” WRIGHT: “Thanks for the kind words. This is a huge honor and I’m still trying to figure out how to react to it. With regard to the quote, as sometimes happens in the news business, I don’t think the article you reference does justice to what I said. Although I mentioned it’s unfortunate many practitioners couldn’t care less about public relations research or education, I did praise those who do support us and also acknowledged support from organizations such as the Page Society, the Institute for Public Relations and PRSA.” CHAPEL: “You did assert that there are serious problems in public relations education. What exactly and who's at fault?” Will Stauber Fell the PR Industry?Posted by Amanda Chapel John Stauber, founder and executive director of the Media and PR Industry watchdog group, the Center for Media & Democracy (CMD), just might be a modern-day David. And with one stone, he just may have delivered a fatal blow against an industry. In response to a joint complaint by the CMD and the Free Press, the FCC has levied the first ever fine for "fake news." All things considered... in PR?!, THAT'S HUGE! Specifically, the FCC is fining Comcast for the use of a video news release (VNR) without disclosure. A video news release is a popular PR tactic. A sponsored video sets out to mimic actual news reports and is offered to broadcasting stations for free. In this instance, the cable company had aired a pitch for a sleep aid without telling viewers that the spot was financed by the maker of the product. In a statement release yesterday by the CMD: "To meet the FCC's own benchmark -- that "viewers are entitled to know who seeks to persuade them," as it stated in its April 2005 Public Notice on VNRs -- all VNRs should be disclosed, whether they promote policies or products, and regardless of the level of overt promotion." The Center for Media and Democracy said it hopes the FCC "will soon address the nearly 140 other undisclosed VNR broadcasts" that the group has documented. David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine's sword and drew it from the scabbard. After he killed him, he cut off his head. - I Samuel 17:51 |
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Ya know... we loooove controversy. Better yet, we're totally bowled over when one of our illustrious PR leaders demonstrates the right stuff and takes a stand. And you know we're especially fond of the potential of generating a little heat. Well, here's alotta heat.
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Reader Feedback
Tue, Nov 10, 04:07:04 PM
Anthone who has to delcare that they are "authentic" must presumably take the view that they are perceived as not being "authentic" - something which might be of concern in a PR company
Fri, Jul 31, 10:58:34 AM
Ray Durazo (the founder) sold the company to Dan in 1999. He was not involved in any of this. He (and I) found out about the lawsuit in the LA Times. In addition to embezzling this m [...]
Thu, Jul 02, 01:52:48 PM
Be careful using the word authentic too often. Might later come off as "synthetic authenticity"
Thu, May 07, 10:19:02 AM
Funny that such an article should appear on a blog no? You guys must be from New York.
Wed, May 06, 12:59:37 PM
I don't have a clue about PR. But, couldn't this move to 'authentic' just really be running away from anything 'virtual' at all, like all the other band-wagoners out there that never u [...]
Sun, May 03, 08:42:38 PM
I'm a totally authentic blogger. Edelman is in deep shit.
Mon, Apr 27, 08:40:57 AM
Makes me wonder what have they been doing until now?
Sat, Apr 11, 02:24:56 PM
Wow - I agree with Britton that its incredibly poor positioning. Rick also gives the kind of quote that's supposed to sound hip, clever and yet sincere, but it just comes across s [...]