PR. What?

A usual question that befuddles everyone. Majority do not understand what PR people do? Perhaps you can find them in the morning having 'Power Breakfasts', whiling away time on their cell phones, courting media people at lunch, and having a cocktail bash in the evening.
Ask a student, and he would like to get into PR for its glamour, hefty pay packet, and because "he/she likes to socialise".
Ask a politician, and would squirm at the word 'PR' and would like him to be his henchman to see that his photograph appears next day in the newspaper, or is in camera on television in the evening news, for having inaugurated a eating joint.
Ask a journo, and he would scorn at the mere mention of the word.
The debate continues. The scorns, and preconceived notions about PR continue to rule the roost, except for ruing by the PR practitioners once in a while at various PR fora; pointing fingers or making critical comments, without any positive action plan to correct the situation.
Public Relations is a sacred management practice that manages an organisation or an individual's perceptions in the eyes of their stakeholders by managing communication in all its forms and shapes.
Its practice not only requires a basic understanding of psychology, semantics, management principles, human relations, behaviourial sciences, media processes and operations, research, etc. etc., but also a thorough knowledge and experience in devising creative communication solutions to manage issues and perceptions.
Public Relations is and remains the science and art of managing communication, which is based on truth.
There are numerous points of view on the issue of 'truth', and how truthful PR practitioners can be when the organisations they represent want them to communicate the message which they want, is definitely a point for debate, which we can discuss some other time. However, the fact remains, Public Relations is not a substitute for truth.

Women in Media

Media Information and Communication Centre of India (MICCI) is organising a two-days seminar on "Women in Media:Fighting Stereotypes - Identity & Gender" on 7-8 June 2008 at Golden Jubilee Auditorium, Panjab University, Chandigarh.
Though there is no registration fee, formal registration in advance is necessary to make appropriate arrangements.
Public Relations Society of India-Chandigarh Chapter and CorePR are the Knowledge Partners in organising this seminar.
For further information please contact Geetu Batra, CorePR, 0172-2613190 / 5016581, or email at info@corepr.com
CJ Singh

PR Conference on Communication Challenges

The Chandigarh Chapter of PRSI is organising a one-day Conference on "Media Paradigm and Communication Challenges" on Sunday, 16th March 2008 at the CII Convention Centre, Chandigarh.
Leading luminaries from the field of print and electronic media, PR practitioners, and academicians shall be addressing the Conference.
The registration fee is Rs.1500.
For further details, please send email.

Golden Jubilee Year of PRSI

Public Relations Society of India (PRSI) completes 50 eventful years this year. There are a number of activities planned around the country. The Chandigarh Chapter, one of the 33 Chapters of PRSI, is organising a Golden Jubilee Felicitation function on 15th March 2008, at the CII Convention Centre, Chandigarh, where former National Presidents of PRSI shall be felicitated.
For further information please get in touch with us through email.

Opening for Corporate Head PR

A leading IT company in Chandigarh requires Corporate Head PR.

MBA or Equivalent qualification in Mass Communications or Public
Relations with 4-6 years of relevant work experience.

The candidate will be required to liaise with the media (Print, TV, Radio and Online) on a regular basis. Other KRA's will include:

• Media Research, Writing articles, Preparation of newsletters, Distributing press releases to the targeted media
• Preparation and editing of marketing materials and collaterals
• Co-ordination of PR activities at an all India as well as international basis, mainly the US

Knowledge of new age media like Blogs, internet media etc. will be a key requirement

In brief, the candidate will be responsible for complete ownership of the Brand building exercise including collateral, PR and other customer acquisition techniques.

A candidate with extensive networking with the media and excellent written and communication skills will be preferred. He/ She must also possess a good knowledge of computers.

Key Skills: PR, Public Relations, Liaison with Media, Blogs, Online Marketing, Media Research,

Qualifications: MBA/ Mass Comm with minimum of 4-6 years work exp. Age below 35 years.

Please send resume to info@corepr.com

Corporate Ethics: Infosys shows the way

Many would have missed the newsitem in several newspapers last week about Infosys fining its Executive Directors for violating company's code of conduct. He was fined for failing to notify the company in time that he sold 10,000 company shares the week before. Infosys' insider trading rules state that directors and officers may buy or sell company shares only after prior notification to the company. Further, notification must also be given within one working day following the execution of such transactions.

Looking at all the news reports it is clear that the news is based on Infosys's release where it is making a clear acknowledgment of the lapse, identifies the senior director by name, and specifies the 'misconduct'. Great example of conformance to good corporate conduct, and proactive acknowledgment.

The penalty of Rs.5 lakh imposed on the director, again, shows the corporate vision...the penalty does not go to the corporate coffers but to a charity.

In today's world of cut-throat competition and race to save the corporate face and image from public glare, here is a company which continues to, and infact, enhances its corporate image in the public eye, by sharing an otherwise damaging news. Kudos to Infosys management for following the fundamentals of public relations...there is no substitute for truth....and it pays to be truthful and honest.