Definition of PR

Here's how Scott M. Cutlip, Allen H. Center and Glen M. Broom defined PR in "Effective Public Relations" back in 1978. Does this definition still apply? This book has been reprinted mulitple times with the same defintion. Should we re-examine it? What definition do you stand by?

"Public relations is a management function that establishes and maintains mutually beneficial relationships between an organization and the publics on whom its success or failure depends."

The Cost of Spin? Your credibility, Your Career

September is Ethics Month for PRSA-- but every day is ethics day for PRSA members who hold themselves to a strict code of ethics. This month, in honor of Ethics Month, the Puget Sound Chapter assembled an all-star cast of top-level media and public relations professionals to discuss how ethics impact credibility and ultimately, your career.

What? You missed it?

You're in luck...This hour-long program, hosted by the generous folks at KOMO 4 Studios and filmed on the set of NW Afternoon, will air on TVW on Tuesday, Sept. 26, at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. then periodically throughout fall. After that, the program will be available on-demand via the TVW Web site.

This robust discussion was just warming up when our hour ran out. So, as promised, we're moving the discussion to our Blog. Watch over the next few days as we throw out some of the thought-provoking questions we discussed Tuesday.

Special thanks to John Hamer from the Washington News Council for moderating this debate and for driving the discussion with some hard-hitting questions designed to make us all take a hard look at our values as professionals.

First question: What's the definition of spin? And is it a bad thing? We'll introduce you to the panelists and share some of their answers soon!

400 In and Around Seattle

The PRSA Puget Sound chapter blog is the site for conversation about the PR community. Today, there are over 400 PR professionals in the Seattle-Tacoma-Everett-Bellevue-Olympia-Bremerton markets that serve in the role of PR practioner. The chapter represents a diverse set of interests and ideas about PR and includes members from agencies, corporations, government offices, non-profits and many more types of organizations. We are interested in inspiring discussion about the practice of public relations, as well as defining this ever-changing communications art form. Not always do we agree, but we are unified that transparency and information sharing is critical and necessary. As a community, we are focused on supporting each others' business needs and fine-tuning our strategic and tactical capacity through professional development. And, with almost 400 members, that is a lot of sharing!

Erika Schmidt, APR - eschmidt@frause.com
PRSA Puget Sound Chapter President - 2006