Overview
Public relations are a strategy that bridges gap between the organization and the public. Public relation manager’s work is to gather attention of media channel with an intent to pursue them regarding their product, idea or company. They main motive is to influence the opinion and behavior of the audience. Their job is to bring accomplishment to their client by using all forms of media channels. The information that reaches the masses is conveyed by the journalist hence it is viewed as credible. In this competitive market, a small firm wanting to make it big is done with the help of a PR personnel who helps them reach the pinnacle. Most entry-level PR professional jobs require a bachelor’s degree.
Professional Opportunities
Account Coordinator or pr Coordinator
⦿ PR coordinator or Account Coordinator make use of various media channels to publicise their organisation to the public.
⦿ The work involves projects such as clipping newspapers, assisting in research, maintaining a list of media contacts, and coordinating mailings of press packets to the media.
Account Supervisor
⦿ An account supervisor often does similar work handled by the account executive, but they’ll oversee other staff members assigned to the account as well.
⦿ The account supervisor oversees PR accounts, often managing the account executives and account coordinators.
Media Relations Manager
⦿ In media relations, the person who represents a particular brand and has to pitch information to the reporters in such a manner to get them interested in their idea and have it publicised.
⦿ Media relation manager should know what the journalist are looking for and hook them to their ideas.
Director, vp
⦿ Director, VP are responsible for managing the firm and look after the communication strategies.
⦿ He/she also has to be active in thinking up new communication services which he/she can sell to the existing clients.
⦿ Within agencies, a director or vice president works closely with younger staff to train and mentor them.
Government pr Departments
⦿ The person involved in this department plays a role of a mediator between the government and the public.
⦿ Government agencies call their public relations departments “public affairs” offices.
⦿ In these roles, a person translates government policy for the public and help communicate the public’s concerns back to the government.
Self-Employment
⦿ After gaining knowledge of the concerned field one can become self- employed in this field.
⦿ Many organisations often outsource the PR function, relying on outsiders to handle their needs-either an agency or a PR consultant.
Career Path
Stream
⦿ Pursue Bachelors in Journalism/Mass Communication /BA Hons.(English/Mass Comunication) for 3 years
⦿ Graduation in Any Stream
Graduation
⦿ Pursue Masters in Journalism and Mass Communication for 2 years
⦿ Pursue Diploma/ Masters in Mass communication/Journalism for 1- 2 years
Important Facts
⦿ Any Bachelor’s Degree Holder is eligible to join the PR Industry.
⦿ However, many PR Firms prefer people with a Mass Communication/Journalism background as they an edge over the other.
Work Description
⦿ Same as a link between a client/ organisation and the audience
⦿ Promote a client/ organisation among general public through media, press releases, logos, images, websites, social networking, etc.
⦿ Conduct/ organize sponsor meetings, conferences, speech and interviews to gain popularity
⦿ Remain up to-date with latest social, economic and political trends and work accordingly
⦿ Reflect the brand’s image and identity through one’s personality
⦿ Develop strategies for the client/ organisation to reach out to the masses
⦿ Highlight the benefits of an organisation and its products and offerings
⦿ Deal with different kinds of people and their queries
⦿ Work with patience, intellect and tact while dealing with large scale audience
Pros & Cons
Pros
⦿ Develop good networking skill and knowledge of various media outlets.
⦿ Career with high demand in future
Cons
⦿ Stressful job as it requires good networking connection with good convincing skills.
⦿ It is a broad field and needs people to be adept for multi-taking
⦿ People who are introvert would find this job strenuous.
Entrance Exams (PostGraduate)
College
⦿ IIMC
⦿ Xavier Institute of Communications (XIC)
⦿ YMCA Institute for Media Studies & Information Technology
⦿ Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan,
Tentative Date
⦿ May
⦿ April
⦿ NA
⦿ July
Important Elements
⦿ Written test, Followed by Group Discussion and Personal Interview
⦿ General Awareness
⦿ Aptitude & mental make-up
⦿ Language capability
⦿ Analytical & Comprehension skills
⦿ Brand awareness & recall
⦿ Quantification skills.
⦿ Online entrance test (OET) – 90min (objective, subjective)
⦿ Language Skill
General Knowledge
Knowledge of Media
Logical and Analytical skills.
⦿Group Discussion, Public Relations
⦿ Written test Interview
⦿ Written test Interview
Leading Institutes in India
College
⦿ IIMC
⦿ MICA
⦿ Xavier Institute of Communications (XIC)
⦿ YMCA Institute for Media Studies & Information Technology
⦿ Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan,
Location
⦿ Pune
⦿ Ahmedabad
⦿ Mumbai
⦿ New Delhi
⦿ New Delhi
