I am interested in possibly majoring in Public Relations, however I keep seeing two “types” of PR and I only like one. I am wondering if I am mistaken, if one doesn’t actually exist, if one is better, etc.
First type: More concerned with branding, online/social media promotion and marketing, image management, external communications (i.e. Releasing statements, managing social media/website content, writing articles on the organization/company, press releases) More media based
Second type: More concerened with working for an individual. Covering up scandals, crisis management, being a spokesperson/representative for something, saving a company etc. More “rescue” based.
I have A LOT of interest for the first type, and absolutely no interest for the second type. Is there jobs more oriented towards for the first type or is it more of a mixed bag with both, etc? Thanks.
It’s an artificial line, I think. Really, the two types of PR are organizational PR or personal PR. You can manage public relations for a company, or you can manage the PR for a famous individual. But both types will probably involve some level of many of the things you describe. Some companies will need their PR workers to do crisis management, serve as official spokespeople, cover up scandals or turn a company around when they have a bad reputation in a specific area. And some individuals will need help with a personal brand, image management, releasing statement, managing social media content and promotion and press releases. Any good PR person will learn to do well at many of those areas, regardless of whether they want to work for a person or a company.
It does sound like you’d be better suited for working for a company, and there are far more jobs managing public relations for companies/businesses/organizations than there are for famous people.