3 of the toughest challenges PR pros face

I don’t think it’s as stressful as a bomb squad technician or brick checker at the Great Wall of China, but a PR job can require the need for a stiff drink or an extra yoga class on occasion.

Battling stereotypes

I’ll be the first to admit the PR industry had an interesting beginning. The term “public relations” was invented to overcome what people thought of as propaganda. The Germans had adopted the term “propaganda” during World War 1, so the “good” (literally) folks in PR needed a workaround.

Edward Bernays, the self-appointed father of public relations, came up with the term. He basically entered the field because he feared people frequently made the wrong decisions.

As a result of his work and others, including Ivey Lee (inventor of the press release), those in PR were seen as manipulators. I suppose there is an element of truth to it—the man did get bacon and eggs to be seen as breakfast staples by swaying physicians’ opinions.