Publicity A Bad Thing? When P.R. Was Considered Vulgar

Posted on May 8, 2007
Filed Under Media Advice, Publicity |

It does seem at times as if just about everyone has a PR agent-at least in New York and L.A. Not just alleged movie and television stars, but businesspeople,lawyers,doctors,dentists,clothing designers,clothing wholesalers,clothing retailers,churches, hell,even some PR people have PR people to get them publicity.

But, as hard as it may seem to believe, there was a time,in a galaxy far,far away (the turn of the 20th century) when publicity was, well, simply not done! Calling attention to oneself was thought to be vulgar and a sure sign that the person courting all the PR was just one small step up above a cow turd.

In a new book about Albert Einstein by Walter Isaacson (and a number one New York Times best seller. Full disclosure, he was also once my boss)the scientific and ,indeed, social establishment of Europe circa 1915-1930 was such that when a book was published at the time about the man who changed the way the world viewed physics with a picture of him included on the cover, it was shocking, and looked down upon but just about all his peers.

Einstein did not have  PR agent,of course,but, were he alive today,there is little doubt that he would.

He’d be making guest shots with Leno (”So, Al, how does your theory affect your relatives?”) exhanging smart comments on The Daily Show and maybe even getting himself one of those really dull PBS 13 part documentaries to host.

So,what has changed to change the E=MC2 equation regarding PR? Basically, competition. There is a lot more of it. More people have the means and the education to advance their ideas or products in an overly crowded market place. To cut through the clutter, for better or worse, in sickness and in health till death do you and your agent part, PR has become a part of the modern world’s social and commercial fabric.

So, don’t shun it. Embrace it. Make it your friend. Make PR work for YOU! I mean, Jesus, if PR was able to make Paris Hilton a household (or is it jailhouse?) name, imagine what it could do for you!

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