Public Relations

PR is an industry that seeks not to draw attention to itself. While most people will be aware of what advertising agencies do and who they are (Saatchi and Saatchi perhaps remains the most recognisable in the UK), few would be able to name a PR agency. Beyond the practice of sending out press releases, even less people are able to account for what PR agencies and freelancers do. The Economist offers an excellent overview of the PR industry here beginning with Ivy Lee and Edward Bernays. It concludes by addressing the digital sector, social media, and competition between advertising and PR therein.