Letter to Cousin

Dear Cousin,

You recently wrote me with a question about my major, public relations. First let me explain what my major is all about. Public relations are the practice of regulating interactions with my clients and the people who contribute to their business. In a company setting it would be my job to write press releases, handle public events, and manage the company’s image. Essentially, I am hired to shape every aspect of the way a client is perceived by media, contributors, and customers. Public relations specialists are able to do this by researching the kinds of people that are contributing to a company and, specifically, figuring out what they would expect from a client.
Because of this, many people feel that public relations are a manipulative industry which allows companies to function corruptly without the knowledge of the public. While this may have been true at the when public relations was first instituted, the truth is that with the internet allowing the public such easy access to information it is next to impossible to conceal anything. Therefore, a good Public Relations Rep. does not only change the way the company is perceived but also strives to change the reality to become consistent with that image. For instance, a big trend right now for companies is “going green”. To start with, I would try to get the image out there by possibly revamping their logo to contain earthy color and leafy plants in order to promote an altogether sense of vitality. However, along with creating a new image, I would also have to plan out a new recycling program or get the company to use organic materials.
I hope this explanation has been helpful to you. Best of luck!

Sincerely,
Madison Roderick