Contributors to a QR? That is for you to Decide.

Contributors to a QR? That is for you to Decide.

By Morgan Dickerson

More commonly today, than a decade ago, our society has unfortunately been exposed to what some communication practitioners and professionals call a ‘PR Blitz’. What is a PR Blitz, you say? Well, the problem is that there is no real dictionary definition of the term, but what I did find was an assortment of definitions for the word ‘blitz’ that may help us all better understand the meaning. A blitz is, “any swift, vigorous attack, barrage, or defeat” (Dictionary, 2009). Now, when we combine the words public relations with the word blitz we get, in my own words, this definition: The misuse and bombardment of communication tools to immediately bring attention to a story that is dramatized for the sake of media coverage wanted for that particular story. So, I am sure you all are wondering why I titled this story the way I did. Maybe some of you know what a ‘QR’ is, and maybe some of you don’t. For those of you who don’t, a ‘QR’ stand for ‘questionable reputation’. Why would pr practitioners have a QR? Because of communicators who dub their work as a pr blitz.

This brings up my next topic, the story of Pat Tillman. Tillman was an Army Ranger who died while serving his country in Afghanistan. According to reports from ABC News and the LA Times, Tillman feared that Washington would use him as a, “propaganda victory,” (Chivvis, 2009). Tillman was the man sent to rescue a P.O.W.  named Pvt. Jessica Lynch, in Iraq. Tillman wrote in his diary that he felt like Washington was going to make something out the rescue story if something were to happen to him and make him a, “false hero,” (Chivvis, 2009). Tillman noted that he was suspicious of the rescue because the number of people being sent to rescue a low ranking officer was uncommon (Chivvis, 2009). The point of this story is that Tillman knew what was going on and what would happen, and clearly was uneasy about the situation.

Tillman's story about Washington putting on a pr blitz is not the only case where our society hears those words. Fox News did a report on the 'Balloon Hoax' and in their story the term 'publicity stunt' was used. In the end, the rest of us pr practitioners are left to pick up the pieces from these stunts' and blitz', and must move forward. By moving forward progressively and aggressively, we pr practitioners can pave the way for much needed high standards, which all communicators should strive to live by. Our job is to build and maintain a positive relationship between an organization and it’s community. As pr practitioners, we must be trusted, and there are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. It is our duty and main purpose to strive for honesty and excellence. 

My three words of advice to keep a clean respectable reputation:

1. Be honest.

2. Go with your gut instinct (you know what is right and wrong).

3. Do not make promises you can not keep.

Image Information: Dishonest Female.

Web Source: Honesty Blog.