1. Image and Reputation Primary objective of public relations is to develop the image and reputation of the company, group, individual –Image is the appearance or impression given to the public by a person or an organization –Reputation is the opinion of the public toward a person, a group of people, or an organization. –Reputation, however, is the word which refers to the position one occupies or the standing that one has in the opinion of others. A company's good reputation always leads to good image

2. Industry scenario Public Relations is 20 th century phenomenon with roots in civilizations such as those of Babylonia, Greece and Rome. People were persuaded to accept the authority of the government and religion through techniques that are still used: interpersonal communications, speeches, art, literature, staged events. It was not called public relations but purpose and effect was the same

3. Origin of Public Relations PR found itself originating in the media & publicists who specialized in promoting circuses, theatrical performances, and other public spectacles. The First World War also helped stimulate the development of public relations as a profession.

4. Public Relations evolved from individual ‘press agents’ and publicists to counseling firms that offered their services as experts in the field America’s first publicity firm, The Publicity bureau was founded in Boston in 1900 In 1906 the railroads made these bureaus more prominent and soon they had their own PR departments

5. Early practitioners Ivy Ledbetter Lee –He helped develop many of the techniques and principles that are followed today in PR –He believed in open communications with the media and he was candid and frank in his approach to the press Edward Bernays –He is credited with coining the term public relations counsel in his first book on the subject, Crystallizing Public Opinion, originally published in 1923 –His famous campaign was the 1929 Torches of Freedom March in which he had ten carefully chosen women walk down Fifth Avenue smoking cigarettes –He established beer as a drink of moderation

6. Public relations across the globe In Europe, too, professional public relations mushroomed after World War II as diplomacy and mass communications became central to the stability and reconstruction of scores of countries In the late 1940s and throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the growth of public relations became evident in the formation of national professional associations in South Africa, Australia and Western Europe

7. Public Relations Industry in India A systematic and organised practise of public relations in India began with the Indian Railways. During the first World War (1914-1918), the government of India set up a Central Publicity Board. This was the first organised PR/Information set-up of the Government of India

8. Evolution of public relations in India Tata’s set up a Public Relations Department in Mumbai in 1943. Due to the economic conditions of the country the business of public relations was also conducted the same way; profit was a dirty word No significant growth of business media in the country - Business India was launched in 1976 Financial papers turned pink only by 1989 Industrial houses engaged liaison officers- mainly family retainers - retired bureaucrats

9. 1980s -1990s The scene began to change from the 1980s. Rajiv Gandhi used advertising and public relations firm for elections. By 1989 most political parties were using it With the liberalisation of Indian economy, it opened the gates for multinationals and for the public relations agencies/firms Hiring a public relations firm/practitioner is now imperative for business

10. 2000 onwards The opportunities for public relations have increased tremendously Business opportunity as well as entry of international firms in the Indian market This has also made the Indian firms turn from a ‘mom and pop store’ to more professional organisations.