Cannes 2009 to have PR campaign category

PR Lions would be the award that the PR fraternity can now vie for at the Cannes Lions 2009 scheduled for June 22, 2009. 

The PR agencies can submit entries for Sector Related PR, Product and Service, and Techniques, which will have Lord Tim Bell, chairman of Chime Communications, to chair the inaugural PR Lions Jury. 

Great news for PR fraternity for finding a space in the Cannes.

Public Relations Voice: New Issue released

Dear Members,

The October - December, 2008 & January - March, 2009 combined issue (Volume 12) of Public Relations Voice, (the only journal for Indian PR professionals) by Dr C V Narasimha Reddi, focusing on "history of Indian public relations" is now circulated.

'Which is the birthplace of public relations in the world?' questions Dr Reddy in his editorial. The lead story is on "the unseen power - a history of Indian public relations" travels from Indus valley civilization to globalisation.

 

Other important articles are -

(1) "PR's growth in India" by Dr Doug Newsom, US professor
(2) "My profession - my experience" by BD Sharma, CK Sardana & Charanjit Singh

(3) "Taglines that influence the people"

Also, find a report on 30th All India PR conference held at Guwahati in December 2008 and News about 10th APPR conference at Hyderabad in February 2009 and many more.

For copies and subscription details write to Dr CV Narasimha Reddi, Editor, PR Voice, House of Public Relations, 8-3-978/4, Srinagar Colony, Hyderabad 500 073 Fax +91 (40) 23307477, Ph +01 (40) 23745549,  Cell 9246548901 and email drcvn@hotmail. com

Subscription details
Annual - Rs.200 (one copy) for individual and Rs.500 (two copies) for institutions
2 years - Rs.350 (one copy) for individual and Rs.800 (two copies) for institutions
Life subscription - Rs.2500 (two copies) for individuals and Rs.4500 (three copies) for institutions

Regards,

--
Babji. Y,
PR Practitioner & Teacher 

Power of PR

One of the greatest challenge for PR practitioners is to prove the worth of PR to their managements, and the common refrain one encounters is that "this was never done", "do the way we want it to be done", and "what are the financial gains of PR activity".

The PR practice being a management function, its practitioners must learn to communicate with these internal stakeholders in the language they understand, presenting them with the facts and figures that they cannot deny.  The methodology is simple - just adapt the statistical analysis, time lines, and PERT charges and all other tools that the managements are familiar with.  Using these tools also helps the PR practitioner in streamlining the work flow and communication strategies. And in so far as the measurements or the financial benefit a company can gain through PR activities, the exercise helps in quantifying the deliverables, making them, hence, measurable. 

A long term and short term goals that the communication plan intends to achieve also helps in formulating budgetary requirements for a particular activity. The best part of PR efforts is the power of visualisation that the PR practitioner or the department can bring to the corporate actions, and breaking them down into the tactical aspects eases the operational aspects too.  

Over twenty years back when I joined a German manufacturing company, the first bottleneck was tiding over these perennial queries and 'objections' that challenged me to break these internal barriers first and show the benefits that the Power of PR can bring to an organisation.  It is also a misconception that the managements do not understand the role of PR.  The fact is that we, at times, fail to educate and inform them the need and impact which an effective communication plan can bring about.  

PR Crisis for Satyam

With each passing day, Satyam crisis deepens as new 'a-satyams' emerge, tarnishing the image further. The new team would have hardtime to refurbish the body, heart and soul of the sullied image of Satyam in the months and years ahead...and there are others who are making 'hay while the sun shines'. A t-shirt company has launched a new range of slogans, what they call, "Satyam Raju Disgracing t-shirts".  I don't know how many would like to wear it, except for the hard-hit stakeholders, or those wanting to publicly protest in front of their headquarters, yet the e-campaign would further add to the disgrace and challenge the communication brains assigned to salvage its image. 

Sign the Petition

Our friend, Mr. K. Srinivasan, of PR Point, has sent the following circular for you to take note of this an sign the petition. It is in public interest. 

"Election Commission of India has submitted their recommendation 5 years back to the Indian Government to include 'None of the above'  option in the ballot papers/ EVMs after listing all the eligible candidates.  Four years back, one Senior Advocate has filed a PIL in the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India praying for direction to the Election Commission/Government of India to direct them to implement this to enable voters to reject bad candidates.  If this recommendation is implemented, political parties would start fielding better candidates.

Since, the General Elections are likely to be announced soon,  India Vsiion Group has made out a petition to Hon'ble Chief Justice of India to take up the case and order the Election Commission to implement this.

If you have not already signed the peition, please go to this link and sign the petition today itself.
http://www.petitiononline.com/elec2009/petition.html

We plan to submit to Hon'ble Chief Justice of India on 1st Jan.  Please sign this immediatley and circulate to your friends and contacts.

K. Srinivasan"

Next All-India PR Conference in Chandigarh

The PR fraternity is requested to keep the next December free for the Public Relations Conference which has been awarded to the Chandigarh Chapter. 

As we shall keep you updated through this Blog on the developments as the preparations for the Conference proceed, we assure every participant a grand memorable experience in 'the city beautiful'.

Already, the three state governments i.e. Panjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh, and union territory of Chandigarh have expressed their solidarity and support to the Conference, and hopefully we shall have participants and speakers from the South East Asia region. 

We invite all the Public Relations practitioners to send in their suggestions to make the program more meaningful. 

The Chapter has already had a couple of meetings with the Directors of Public Relations of various state governments, as well as within the Chapter, and the planning is afoot at a fast pace. 

Depending upon the response, we intend to have a pre-conference workshop session to be conducted by an international faculty, besides the pre- and post-conference tours to nearby hill stations. 

Chandigarh is linked with the rest of India with six available flights, fast train connections, and express highway from Delhi. 

Looking forward to your arrival to contribute to the knowledge bank of the PR profession.

Best Programmes Award for Chandigarh Chapter of PRSI

The Chandigarh Chapter of Public Relations Society of India received "The Best Programmes Award" for the year 2008 at the recently concluded 30th PRSI National PR Conference at Guwahati from 11-13 December 2008.

Mr.V.P.Sharma,Jt.Director(PR),BBMB & Chairman,Chandigarh Chapter,PRSI and Renuka B.Salwan,Dy Director,Bureau of Indian Standards & past chairperson of the chapter, who attended the Conference, received the award on behalf of Chandigarh Chapter.

The current Chapter Chair, Mr. V.P. Sharma, Joint Director Public Relations with Bhakra Beas Management Board, was a happy man, as he received two awards on behalf of his organisation, which received the “Best Corporate Film" and also the "Best Corporate Brochure" awards at the PR Conference.

Our heartiest congratulations to all those who contributed extensively in keeping the Chapter active through their participation.

Mr. Sanat Lahiri is no more

Another stalwart of Public Relations, Mr. Sanat Lahari, who held the reins of PRSI in 1974, has passed away.  He left for his Heavenly Abode on the same day, i.e. 7th October 2008, the day we lost Mr. K.R. Singh.  Unfortunately, I learnt about it only now through Ms Aditi Syam who was informed by Mr. J.M. Kaul from Kolkata.  

Mr. Sanat Lahiri has also been the past President of IPRA, and served TISCO Ltd as Director Public Relations.  He was member of the PR sub-committee in Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and was the visiting professor of Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta.  

He has also been in the Government of India's Advisory Board on Communication and Broadcasting, as also in the Committee on PR and Publicity in Public Undertakings; Consultant on the UN Economic Committee, Asia and Far East on Communications.  

In his career he has also served Dunlop India Limited.

May his soul rest in peace. 

Desh Sewa Rattan Award for Renuka Salwan

It is a matter of great pride for PR fraternity that one of our active PR practitioner, Ms Renuka Salwan, Deputy Director Public Relations, Bureau of Indian Standards, Chandigarh, and immediate Past Chairperson of PRSI Chandigarh Chapter, has been conferred the Desh Sewa Rattan Award yesterday at a function in Ludhiana. 

A four-decade old NGO, Shaheed Memorial Sewa Society at Ludhiana, conferred the award on eight women who have contributed to the society through their commitment and dedication in their field of work. 

Renuka Salwan indeed is a dynamic leader with determination and resolve, and as a professional has contributed immensely in generating awareness about the safety and standardisation of consumer products. 

We wish her many more winning innings.

Ravi Dara is no more

Many of us in the PR field would have heard her name or met with her at various PR fora. An energetic lady, and a great person that she was, was shot dead in her 19th floor room in Hotel Taj. I, who had known her so closely for the last nearly two decades, deeply grieve this loss.  And the grief is aggravated by the unprecedented mayhem that Mumbai has faced at the hands of terrorists, shattering lives of hundreds of families around the globe who lost their nears and dears. 

May her soul rest in peace. 

Remembering KR

I met Mr K.R. Singh - Kanwar Rajendra Singh to be exact - at the national council meeting of PRSI in 1989 and was greatly impressed by his clarity of thoughts and articulation. He was a multifaceted personality who could interact with anyone and everyone with ease and could discuss with you on any subject, whether it is the kind of wine he was drinking or the fish curry or the Indian diplomacy.
And I remember in 1991, he was the first sitting President of PRSI who agreed to visit the Chandigarh Chapter and address the members. I had gone to pick him up in a borrowed Ford from a friend, and the moment he was in till the time we got down at the hotel, I was better informed about the Ford's history and car's attributes.
KR was a respected journalist, having started his career as a staff correspondent of The Times of India. Later he was with Hindustan Times as Chief Reporter, and later published an English tabloid from Mumbai, 'The Daily' for five years.
He moved to corporate communication after joining IBM and also served as President of Birla Engineering Services, and later of Birla Medical Technologies. He was on the board of directors of three Birla companies for several years.
He was chairman and managing director of a Kirloskar Group company engaged in setting up of cancer treatment facilities in India.
He was the man in a hurry, but would enjoy every moment of his life. He would spend hours with his friends from PR fraternity till late evening, and one could find him up early in the morning ready for the day ahead.
The leadership he provided to PRSI, and the India Foundation for PR Education and Research, that gave me the opportunity to interact with him quite frequently, had been exceptionally memorable golden moments that I cherish so fondly today.
CJ