Whenever I tell someone that I am in Public relations, they say– oh, you are the ones that “spin” the story, or try to make someone look better in a crisis. Or, I get the question “Hey, do you guys just do event planning and go to parties like Samantha does in ‘Sex and the City?'” (Samantha is supposed to be working in PR). Public Relations professionals really do a lot more than event planning and other duties that are commonly seen in movies and other media outlets.
We sometimes get misperceived and there are some stereotypes out there about PR people. So when I found out that Will Smith was coming out with a new movie, “Hancock,” and it features Jason Bateman as Hancock’s PR representative– I knew that I had to see it. 🙂 I actually went to see it this afternoon– and I thought that it was good. You definitely see some of the more common stereotypes that are presented about PR professionals as being professionals that help in terms of changing an image and trying to frame a situation in a certain way. Hancock in many ways appears in the movie as a “PR Nightmare”– he drinks and swears, says no comment to the media, always breaking things, causing an uproar with his actions, and his image with the community is not the best one– so that is why he needs someone in PR to help him out.
However, I think that the movie producers did do their homework. In the movie, Bateman’s PR character is featured doing a lot of strategic work with Hancock and tries to help him appear more professional and appropriate with his audiences.
Also, there are a couple of scenes in the movie that do show PR’s challenge, especially with senior management. Bateman’s character is trying to persuade a group in a conference room about his new PR campaign that focuses on goodwill and promoting a cause, and it is shut down completely by everyone in the room. PR professionals sometimes have to deal with the uphill challenges in trying to get their programs and strategies in place– but it just takes time and commitment.
One thing that I saw in the movie that did remind me of myself– is that Bateman’s character is described as being someone that “always sees the good in people.” I think that I also share that, and I think that in PR– you have to do that, but there needs to be a balance as well– you have to look at the world honestly, but have faith at the same time that people will do the right thing.
So, if you want to get one perspective of what it is like to be a PR person, I would recommend that you go and see the movie. It is just one viewpoint, but it is still interesting and entertaining. I hope you all are having a great day! 🙂
Best Wishes,
Karen 🙂
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