What is... Public Relations?

HMA PR/PRGN, Phoenix, USA, 20.04.2011

Na pytanie, czym jest PR, stawiane przez członka PRGN, agencję HMA PR z Arizony, odpowiada Cathy Tull, wiceprezes Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

Name sound familiar?

It should – just like Pete Codella, who guest blogged for us last week, Cathy Tull will be presenting at the upcoming PRSA Western District Conference in Las Vegas April 27 to 29. Lucky her, in addition to speaking at the event on Las Vegas’ hugely successful “What Happens In Vegas…” movement, she will also get to meet Alison from our office, who will be representing us at the conference. (Have you signed up yet?)

Oh, and according to the Las Vegas Sun, as senior vice president of marketing for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Tull “has quietly become the highest-ranking female executive in the history of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.”

So, Cathy, what is public relations?

At the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), we have a dedicated Public Affairs department, which is essentially the communications hub of our organization. Public Affairs develops strategies and implements multi-faceted programs that generate awareness and publicity for the destination of Las Vegas and the Las Vegas brand. The department is responsible for public relations, the Las Vegas News Bureau, community outreach and works with the LVCVA’s President’s Office on government affairs. The team manages the branding and messaging to consumer and trade media around the world, key stakeholders, elected officials and residents of Southern Nevada.

In its public relations role, the team liaises with all domestic and international news media, including consumer, travel trade and meetings trade reporters who are writing or developing stories about Las Vegas. Public relations activities also include hosting familiarization tours of the destination and creating opportunities to garner publicity through a variety of activations.

Public Relations is a field that is constantly evolving. We’ve seen the industry gradually gravitate toward electronic methods of communication with the latest evolution involving the growth of social media. Our Twitter, Facebook and YouTube channels provide a launching pad for the viral spread of information including special events, promotions and even press releases. These channels drive media inquiries, increase overall awareness of what’s happening within the destination, and allow us to immediately and directly interact with our consumers. Social media has become an important part of public relations practices and it plays an integral part in what we do and how we communicate our messages.

Through all of these roles, the LVCVA Public Affairs team communicates not only the brand of Las Vegas, but also maintains the reputation of the organization and the business activities of our convention centers.

source: HMA PR - PRGN member form USA;