I am just beginning my career in public relations but a common problem I’ve already discovered is when I tell people what I do they always ask me to explain what exactly I do. While I don’t mind explaining every once in awhile, it would be nice if more of the general public actually knew what PR is. In an effort to understand why so many people view PR as a gray area, I decided to do a little research.

I found an interesting article declaring an upcoming “International PR Day” in India.  While the article is long past its shelf life, the topic itself is interesting - a day dedicated to bringing attention to the underappreciated efforts of PR professionals - what a concept!

So I thought, why not check and see if there is a similar holiday in the United States? A quick search of the Public Relations Society of America’s (PRSA) website determined that there is no such holiday in the United States (aside from regional days). What I did find was an article testifying to the fact that China also celebrates a similar holiday.

I can’t help but wonder if the U.S. celebrated an official (or even unofficial) holiday recognizing PR pros across the country, would more people outside the industry begin to recoginize what an integral role PR plays in the overall success of so many businesses? Who knows…but it’d make me happy if they did.  

International PR, International PR Day, PRSA, Public Relations Society of America

What does a HUGE pair of pants and a mid-size Silicon Valley PR agency have in common? In 2007, Eastwick’s Key Initiatives are all about Thinking BIG - we want to grow our reputation, grow the business and grow opportunities for staff. Part of the reason 20 members of our PR staff are blogging is to demonstrate that our agency is ahead of the curve when it comes to new and interesting approaches to public relations. Another area we want to grow is our international PR relationships. We’ve got clients and partners all over the world - and past clients, including Business Objects, Madge Networks and ILOG, are headquartered outside the U.S.

There’s been a lot of talk about high-tech start-ups staying in Europe instead of relocating to Silicon Valley thanks to the success of companies like Skype. From an employee exchange program to simply promoting our value as an agency, our management team is working hard to fit in those pants.

The Bottom Line: We’re thinking outside the Silicon Valley box. Eastwick is well-known for taking start-ups to the next level and coming soon - we’re bringing our unique flavor across the pond.

Business Objects, Eastwick, ILOG, International PR, Madge Networks, Silicon Valley, Skype