(PR)ofessionalism – PR in action

Into the 10^th week of my internship with Waggener Edstrom, doing media monitoring everyday increased my alertness towards industry news and PR related news.

While doing the usual media monitoring, I came across these real examples where it reaffirmed the need for internships to take place, as well as I personally as a student feel that such examples are reminders to students that professionalism in PR is indeed invaluable.

1. Clothing brands swing into crisis management

Bangladesh's troubled garment industry responded in starkly different ways to the building collapse that killed more than 600 people. From the article, communications professionals say that both are public relations strategies, and neither may be enough to protect companies from the stain of doing business in Bangladesh. PR professionals also commented that possibly the only way that retailers and clothing brands can protect their reputations is to visibly and genuinely work to overhaul safety in Bangladesh's garment factories. 

I think this article showed succinctly that no matter how much PR can influence its stakeholders, it also shows the limitations of PR. No matter how good a PR practitioner or agency can be, facts will always be facts. A practitioner or agency cant simply ignore the facts and blindly protect the interest of the client and ignore ethics and integrity issues.

You can read more on this story here: 

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/premium/world/clothing-brands-swing-crisis-management-20130507 (subscription may be required)

2. Samsung’s PR glitch

A post in Samsung Singapore’s Facebook page had a glitch where the social media publicity agency for Samsung Singapore posted a photo taken with a competitor’s camera, and the original photographer's credits were taken off. As such, the rightful photographer stepped up to seek acknowledgement from Samsung Singapore for using his photograph without his acknowledgement.

The post had then attracted much negative publicity within a few hours, and went on viral on Facebook. However, they were fast in taking corrective actions and sincere in acknowledging their mistake. I personally think that this is how PR should be. Fast, Honest, and Professional.

These are real examples that remind us, future aspiring PR professionals, to always be mindful to act professionally, responsibly and ethically.  As my heading  - “(PR)ofessionalism”, professionalism is an important aspect for all of us soon-to-be PR practitioners to have, and it should be with us, for as long as we are in this industry or even carry it with us for as long as we work.

You can read more from their Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SamsungSingapore?fref=ts

I hope that these local and international examples are helpful for you guys towards understanding our role as soon-to-be real PR professionals , and understanding the true meaning of PR. 

Till then,

Joycelyn Foo Qiu Hong 

Curtin Singapore

15443975