a message from Vittoria Meyer, Director of Public Relations

"Advertising is saying you're good. PR is getting someone else to say you're good." - Jean-Louis Gassée, former executive at Apple.

Without even realizing it, most of the information you digest is a result of public relations in one form or another. From the news you see on the local nightly broadcast, to the social media post your friend shared of her excitement from the latest TV show that Netflix just announced. I'll say it, even this newsletter you're reading is public relations. Needless to say, PR is a result of many, many things. But what does all of this really mean at its root? What is PR?  

According to Public Relations Society of America, public relations is "a strategic communication process that builds mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their publics." Often times, social media, traditional media, and relationships are the main outlets for PR. Essentially, public relations is the tool that makes you look good, and the tool that helps you navigate muddy waters when things are less than good. Public relations is reputation management. Public Relations is reputation creation and recreation. 

At RJL Solutions, we offer public relations services and often times, it's an organic approach. When your new website launches or your new logo is created, the press release announcing your rebrand is published on your "news" section of the website. When a bill passes that you have been working tirelessly on with our advocacy team to bring new legislation to your industry, our team helps facilitate a media interview for you to discuss the specifics. When you're invited to an important dialogue with other community leaders, our public relations department ensures you're prepped with the right topics and conversations to elevate your brand. Interesting, right? Our pillars of services work seamlessly at RJL Solutions, with PR intersecting all avenues. 

The Perks of Public Relations

1. Media Relations: media relations is essentially exactly how it sounds - a working relationship with journalists and media contacts. As a PR specialist, one communicates regularly with the media in the form of press releases, media advisories, interview coordination, etc. Naturally, it becomes a working relationship built on trust and time. Most PR agencies have the rapport with media contacts that elevate your story and your brand's exposure. 
2. Crisis Communication and Preparation: Inevitably, situations happen that aren't expected or hoped for. Much like our personal lives, this is the case for organizations, too. However, you shouldn't just sit around and await the unexpected. Preparation is key. Public relations incorporates what's called crisis communication. Many organizations don't realize that crisis PR should be a focal point of your communication plans even before a crisis happens, and fingers crossed one doesn't. Crisis communication plans give security to how an organization should handle any number of situations. It outlines how and when an organization should communicate with stakeholders, employees, the public, etc. if something drastic occurs. A crisis communication plan is a safety measure just as your fire alarm is a safety measure (you hope it never goes off, but it's there and ready just in case.) PR agencies help organizations establish working crisis communication plans that are catered for your businesses' operations and processes. We all hope to never have to resort to our crisis communication plan, but just in case you will be well equipped to handle what life throws your way. 
3. Staying Relevant: In a society of constant information, and quite frankly, information overload, it is highly competitive to have your brand recognized. Public relations, however, recognizes that there are more means to get recognition, and often times for free. Think about this: how many cool things is your organization doing on any given basis? A lot, I'm sure. Although the super technical new product that you launched might not make it on a morning broadcast or find a column in the daily paper, it certainly could be relevant for a trade publication. Public relations gives you room to brag on yourself a little more than you normally would and finds the right audience and cheerleaders for your brand. 

I'd love to continue discussing PR with you in this letter, but that's the beauty of PR - there is always another opportunity. 🙂 

About Vittoria

Vittoria's personable skills and strategic approach to solution-finding is integrated throughout every client relationship. She takes great care in identifying opportunities that fit each client’s unique needs and organizational goals. A great listener, Vittoria is able to hear what a client says and does not say to determine the best plan of action to create successes.

Vittoria graduated from Indiana State University in 2018 with a degree in communication/public relations and a minor in marketing. Vittoria’s education has given her practical experience in campaign and event planning, digital and social media marketing and public relations. Vittoria's academic achievements include Cum Laude Latin Honors, Lambda Pi Eta National Communication Association Honor Society, Dean’s List, Academic Distinction Scholarship, and Summer Honors Scholarship.

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