PR and democracy

My new found enthusiasm for blogging has taken something of a back seat over the last week due to a number of important CIPR events where I had a central role. Pity, my family might have found my blog useful in finding out what I was up to - since I've been something of a virtual Dad and husband recently. So, apologies for the lack of posts.

Last Friday was the annual lunch for CIPR Fellows which as always was held on the terrace of the House of Lords - for which we owe our host and sponsor Lord (Tom) McNally a huge vote of thanks.

It was a sell-out event with surprisingly good food, served in fabulous surroundings and in excellent company. These elder statesmen of our industry have much to offer younger practitioners and it's always a pleasure to see so many of them in good health and good cheer.

Many of them also made it along to the Institute's Annual General Meeting this week. Although there is lot of formal work to be undertaken, there was a little light relief in the panel discussion featuring Sue Wolstenholme and my old friend Andy Green.

If you weren't there, you might find it difficult to imagine how Andy managed to weave his toilet habits into a learned discourse on the links between PR and democracy, but believe me he just about managed to pull it off without offending too many sensibilities.

The debate "Public relations and democracy - essential partners?" generated a lot of comment and discussion from the floor which I had to cut short because of a drinks reception and England's World Cup game but I thought perhaps we could continue examining the themes online.

Andy took us on an enjoyable journey - toilet habits notwithstanding - and told us as practitioners we needed to change our mindset in what is now a "marketplace of abundance peopled by sophisticated consumers". He also said we are all Jamie Olivers - but he might need to expand a little on that analogy before I truly understand what he is getting at!

Sue on the other hand raised the spectre of the PR practitioner's wardrobe being raided by those indulging in Social Marketing and warned there are areas we need to take ownership of before they disappear forever.

An excellent debate, and I hope our two panelists will keep the discussion going here...

Comments

[Simon Collister]

Hi Tony

I am glad the CIPR has taken an interest in PR and Democracy. Since blogging I have become a firm believer that New Media is a key tool in terms of communication and democracy. Tony Blair himself attributed the Labour Party's poor results at the local elections to "the Party's failure to connect with the under-35"; he specifically highlighted their website as a turn-off. As a result party chairwoman, Hazel Blears MP, has been tasked with sorting it all out.

One outcome has been the site launched today, www.labourhome.org openly modelled on the Tories' Conservativehome.com.

This and more can be monitored on my new blog http://simoncollister.typepad.com/edemocracyupdate

I'm a real apolitical animal!

[Nicola Banks]

Hi Elisabeth,

My name is Nicola Banks and I am studying Public Relations at Leeds Metropolitan University and I am currently researching topic ideas for my dissertation. I am really interested in discussing the relationship between PR and democracy and whether PR could operate successfully outside of a democratic environment. I've just been reading your post about this and I was hoping you would simply be able to point me in the right direction of whether you feel this would be a substantial topic and possibly your opinion on this subject?

I would really appreciate your ideas and view point. Thank you.

[Tony Bradley]

Hi Nicola

It was actually me who wrote this blog post during my time as CIPR President in 2006. In that year I visited a number of countries where issues around democracy and freedom of the press made PR very challenging - in particular China, Ukraine and Brazil.

I think there is definitely a substantial topic for your dissertation here. Why don't you contact me direct to discuss - although other readers may also be able to offer you some assistance.

Tony Bradley

[Nicola Banks]

Hi Tony, apologies for confusing your post as Elisabeth's and thanks very much for replying, I really appreciate it!

That would be brilliant to talk to you directly about this, is there a way I can do this? I don't have a blog with the website so I'm not having much success finding you so far.

Thanks

Nicola Banks

[Todd Fernandez]

Hello,
I am with the Univ. of Pretoria, Centre for Human Rights, South Africa. I'm interested in assisting with the development of PR in the African human rights movement.
I'm looking for substantive articles on public relations and human rights. Please send any links to tfernandez4@gmail.com.
Thank you.

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