Feb 23, 2010

I PRefer the Truth

Some of my favorite channels premiered reality television shows that depict public relations professionals. Since I am a public relations enthusiast, I have the urge to see how the shows portray the profession.

As expected, I am not 100% satisfied with the portrayal. Let’s start with a tiny rant.

SPINdustry on E! documents the lives of Jonathan Cheban and Simon Huck, leaders of the New York based public relations firm, Command PR, as they move to LA. After watching for five minutes, I felt a small heat of enrage surge through my body.

First, the title only encourages a stereotype. Not all PR professionals spin things to place them in a positive light. I have never been taught in any of my public relations classes how to spin data. It is a misrepresentation of the profession. It is actually against the PRSA code of ethics.

Next, the people (or as I should really call them, actors) are not the brightest crayons in the box. Definitely not yellow. Maybe more like mauve. Any scene with the girls from the cast, I could only picture a cloud above their heads with an ellipses (…) within it. Really, nothing cranking up there. They did not seem competent enough to practice public relations. I do not know how they function on the job, let alone in life.

In addition, you would think that as people that practice public relations, a job that requires the creation and implementation of images, they could have foreseen the image they were portraying? Or, at least present themselves as intellectual, competent professionals? It is not really that hard to convey that image.

However, I do have to give Jonathan and Simon credit. If you check Jonathan Cheban’s and Simon Huck’s Twitters, they are handling the influx of tweets quite well. They reply and converse with the public; it is great use of social media

This happiness can now only lead to Kell on Earth, a reality show on Bravo that follows Kelly Cutrone, a fashion PR expert. The show depicts a more accurate view of the public relations profession. Everyone on the show works hard, does not take any crap and carries out the job flawlessly. Plus, you see a more human aspect of the cast, especially when Kelly converses with her daughter.

Although Kelly is more than tough on anyone, I aspire to become as successful as her. I wish I could become part of her staff.

If you want to read others’ opinions on the subject manner, visit Eric Leist’s blog and Valentina Monte’s tumblr.

Just for a laugh, remember PoweR Girls?