we all relate...

When first asked to compare and comment on two other classmates’ blogs, I thought it was an easy assignment. Little did I know, I was in for a surprise. I didn’t realize how many different areas of Public Relations our classes were focusing on. Each blog is full of different ideas, each one better than the next! Part of the assignment was to pick blogs with some sort of relation to your blog topic. I found myself so interested in what my other classmates were saying; I lost sight of the assignment! I was so intrigued; I completely forgot to pay attention specifically to ones which would benefit my blog. I also didn’t know how I was going to critique others. They all seem so interesting and are based off of individual perspectives.  Eventually though, I got back on track.

Steph Farris’s blog post is going to be my first comparison. (http://prrstephferris.blogspot.com/2010/09/research-results-in-blogging.html) In this post, she discusses television shows such as Top Chef and The Real Housewives, two of my favorites. She explains how research methods are important. In fact, Steph explains to us how those two televisions shows, both on Bravo, use blogging as a way of research. Being interested in Entertainment Public Relations, I found it interesting that the Bravo Television Cast Mates all have blogs. If I were practicing Entertainment Public Relations now, I would make sure that all my clients had a consistent blog, which all of their fans could view.

Sam Greitzer’s synopsis of Boardwalk Empire and other HBO shows is the other blog I found to be of interest. (http://mediacloset-samgreitzer.blogspot.com/2010/09/boardwalk-empire.html). I didn’t realize all of the statistics that Television shows have to deal with. It costs so much money, time and effort for all those involved. Being as interested in Entertainment Public Relations as I am, it is important I am in the know regarding what my celebrity clients are dealing with on a day to day basis. If a show is cancelled, I have to be ready to deal with that. If a show takes off overwhelmingly, chances are my client will as well.

It just came to me…this assignment directly relates to research. We were given an assignment and had to conduct our own research methods in order to complete it…

Interesting...

In the Entertainment business, magazines are constantly being written and published promoting various celebrities, movies and events. Magazines generate publicity and fame for the client of an Entertainment PR firm. Before interning this past summer at a Public Relations firm, I didn’t realize that one of our main jobs as a Public Relations Practitioner was securing these placements. It was a bit of a reality check, being that I had already declared myself as a Public Relations Major, yet didn’t know what some of my duties would be. However, I found it cool and exciting that being in the PR world, you are responsible for the readings that get published nationally.

I researched the top ten Entertainment Magazines seen here, http://www.allyoucanread.com/top-10-entertainment-magazines/, and found it intriguing that only one of the ten was a gossip magazine. This is extremely beneficial to a PR person, because this means their clients are getting in the media as a result of their efforts. We want our clients in the media because of our hard work, not because of their not-so-smart decisions which catch the eyes of the tabloid writers.

I found it interesting researching Entertainment Magazines. We work so hard to shed a positive light on our clients and knowing that 9 out of 10 “real” magazines portray this. It’s very beneficial to our industry.

One of the main skills I feel necessary for being in the PR world, is to have strong people skills. It is important to build a relationship with those in the media, so that they will want to use your clients in their pieces.  I learned in my International Public Relations class that I am currently in, how this positive relationship with the media and the journalists helps all. First off, the person in the spot light gets a pleasant write up about them. Second, the account executive at the firm is noted as doing their job. And lastly, the public gets a strong view on the celebrity.

Interning has helped me to learn a lot about the PR industry, specifically the Entertainment PR industry. Research is key when completing any task. I find it interesting and favorable knowing that the majority of the public who choose an entertainment magazine, (which use the interview format on a client), would rather that than the gossip scribbled in the tabloids.  

Are you for real?

Ethics. They are the basis of everyday life. They influence our decisions. Before we participate in certain activities we wonder if they’re crossing any ethical boundaries. Well, most of us do anyway. Let’s take a look at the definition of ethics: a system of moral principles (www.dictionary.com). Okay, that’s easy enough to understand. Now for the definition of unethical: pertaining to or dealing with morals or the principles of morality (www.dictionary.com). A little more complicated, but still not impossible to understand. Yet, often it seems that more actions done are unethical, than ethical. At least they have more attention drawn to them.

Within one branch of Entertainment PR is to diffuse the unethical actions regarding our clients. They think for themselves and rarely take no for an answer. The clients of an Entertainment PR professional are constantly under scrutiny. This is one of the drawbacks of being in the public eye. Society watches them like a hawk, waiting for them to screw up.

Let’s take the ever so popular, Lindsay Lohan (as if she hasn’t been talked about enough!). Recently, she has been ALL over the news. Her PR team must be running on no sleep. It seems every other minute she is involved in another headline. I almost feel bad for her team, I bet that they had no idea what they were signing up for. Anyway, in her most recent court she was seen sporting this on her nails, Really Lindsay? . Wow. I cannot even imagine thinking about that when getting my nails done.

Of course the public was on her case wondering what she was thinking when she had that offensive phrase painted on to her nails. Did she have any ethics? Where were her moral principles? Did her team really advise her that that was a good choice in polish? Honestly, I bet they didn’t have a choice. Her Entertainment PR team had to take all the heat for this. Clearly, she only listens to herself. This is an example of a client acting unethical and the PR team having to pick up the slack and diffuse the situation.

PRR 332 B

It's everywhere. Whether we know it or not our lives are constantly surrounded and influenced by those in the entertainment industry. From celebrities to politicians, were all guilty of being interested in the lives of the famous. However, behind ever superstar is a team of professionals, dedicated to their clients. It can be dealing with positive or negative publicity, but either way the person in charge of their PR plays a role in their success. That is why I am focusing on Entertainment Public Relations.

I take an interest in this particular branch of PR because every day is different. Never knowing what a client is going to do or say keeps it fast paced. I think it is important to highlight their contributions to society as well as assist them when they make infamous mistakes. Every scandal is handled differently and this blog will help me to learn the different ways and techniques of PR professionals and their clients. I enjoy handling consumer relations and want to be the lifeline between the entertainment industry and the public.