PR with a higher purpose
I was aware that religious and spiritual organizations practice PR and promotional tactics in order to deliver their desired message. Discussing their strategies such as branding, celebrity endorsements, word of mouth publicity, direct marketing etc even led me to believe that they practice a kind of ‘disguised’ public relations. Although the existence of regulated organizations that undertake PR responsibilities for religious groups was news to me.
WDC media is a leading media and public relations firm; they claim they are ‘Good news specialists’ who do ‘PR with a higher purpose’. Since its launch in 2003,
WDC Media has been effectively bridging the gap between religious America and the secular media. Their clients include faith-based organizations, ministries and businesses who need to deliver a religious or faith based message. They may be rooted in Christian values but claim to relate to all kinds of faiths and beliefs. Among WDC's most progressive and successful clients is Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), the world's largest religious broadcaster. Also apart from garnering effective media coverage for their clients they also produce religious films.
Organizations like these are revolutionary in the world of PR and are introducing a whole new genre to the world of PR and Marketing. In a recent article in US Religious News stated that the chasm between religious America and the media is being bridged by an amazing telecommuter-based publicity firm, WDC Media, which is employing a new market strategy while gaining the lion’s share of the religious publicity business. So it can easily be said that PR is going places and it’s taking its religious beliefs along.
Organizations like WDC media have even inspired large multinational PR firms to undertake faith based practices. Mike Paul, the president of MGP & Associates PR, claims that his public relations firm's philosophy 'is grounded in both business and biblical principles'. In a recent seminar about the Evangelical society, Paul further endorsed religious PR by saying that "If you're a Christian organization and you want to get stories placed on mainstream media consistently, you need to form a relationship, you need to think from their perspective, not just our own," Paul added. "It's a two-way street." That is also the philosophy behind most PR and promotions and seeing religious and spiritual organizations adopting it makes us believe that religious promotion maybe the new trend in PR and marketing.
WDC media is a leading media and public relations firm; they claim they are ‘Good news specialists’ who do ‘PR with a higher purpose’. Since its launch in 2003,
WDC Media has been effectively bridging the gap between religious America and the secular media. Their clients include faith-based organizations, ministries and businesses who need to deliver a religious or faith based message. They may be rooted in Christian values but claim to relate to all kinds of faiths and beliefs. Among WDC's most progressive and successful clients is Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), the world's largest religious broadcaster. Also apart from garnering effective media coverage for their clients they also produce religious films.
Organizations like these are revolutionary in the world of PR and are introducing a whole new genre to the world of PR and Marketing. In a recent article in US Religious News stated that the chasm between religious America and the media is being bridged by an amazing telecommuter-based publicity firm, WDC Media, which is employing a new market strategy while gaining the lion’s share of the religious publicity business. So it can easily be said that PR is going places and it’s taking its religious beliefs along.
Organizations like WDC media have even inspired large multinational PR firms to undertake faith based practices. Mike Paul, the president of MGP & Associates PR, claims that his public relations firm's philosophy 'is grounded in both business and biblical principles'. In a recent seminar about the Evangelical society, Paul further endorsed religious PR by saying that "If you're a Christian organization and you want to get stories placed on mainstream media consistently, you need to form a relationship, you need to think from their perspective, not just our own," Paul added. "It's a two-way street." That is also the philosophy behind most PR and promotions and seeing religious and spiritual organizations adopting it makes us believe that religious promotion maybe the new trend in PR and marketing.
8 comments:
Interesting take on PR, i didnt think of it like that.
I can actually think of a case in point where this true. I think of Tom Cruise using his celebrity status to promote his religion of Scientology. Many other stars also fancy this religion as well and use their status to PR it.
Even in my own religion as well as others, I know that as a Catholic, it is my duty to spread the word of God, whether I do or not is my own personally choice. If you look at Jehovah witnesses, they actually come to your front door to PR their religion.
I also want to say that you made some really interesting comments. I never thought of myself as a PR person for Catholicism.
I would not really think of this to be true, simply because a celebrity might be endorsing some religious or spiritual concept might have helped him or her in some way or the other. Like in India, Rhea Pillai advocates the practise of Art of Living-why ? Because it did help her and she wants others to be helped as well- she uses her celebrity image to help the others..not to gain more publicity for her individual self.
I think that using a celebrity image to promote a higher cause of sprituality or religion is perfectly justified. They are using their edge,in a posiitive way-to inform the others that a simple practise is beneficial-whether or not you are a celebrity.At the end of the day, even they are human beings like any one of us and if spreading the message about a particular practise can help others-then why not? An example of Rhea Pillai,practising Art of Living is quite meaningful.
I guess in many ways, everyone in some form of the other practices PR for whatever purposes - from mothers beguiling their children so whas new in evangalists and religion using it as a tool to guide and win supportors. I hate to diss other religious faiths and I mean no offence but has anyone told Jehovah's Witnesses about the value of effective PR rather than ringing doorbells?
I am pleasantly surprised to see that you have found something worthwhile....namely this blog. Worderful articles (as far as I have read).
Great Work
"I went to a restaurant that serves 'breakfast at any time' so I ordered French toast during the Renaissance."
..nicee..one budddy......!!!pr n all...!!!...ya..but i think...every1 around us...practicez pr n all...in sum form or d other...!!
good work miss chand.... nice articlez...!!!
Does it make a difference if someone is *paid* to do PR or if they do it just because it is part of their religion - is it still PR if no payment is involved? And do any religions actually pay to sponsor things (the way Coke pays to sponsor football matches etc!).
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