History
History In the early 1900s, Henry Ford developed three public relations concepts still used today: Positioning: credit and publicity always go to those who do something first Press Accessibility: being available to the press is critical in establishing a relationship of mutual trust and respect. Corporate Social Responsibility: using a company’s platform to endorse positive community initiatives.
History In 1900, the nation’s first publicity firm – The Publicity Bureau – opened its doors in Boston. In 1903, the Teddy Bear promoted President Theodore Roosevelt’s conservation efforts and his sense of fairness.
History
Ivy Lee, considered one of the first PR experts, issued his “Declaration of Principles,” which urged practitioners to accept their public responsibilities. He represented the mining industry in the anthracite coal strike and represented J.D. Rockefeller in the Colorado Fuel and Iron Strike.
History In 1908, Mary Baker Eddy, founder of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, created her own international newspaper to counter negative media coverage – The Christian Science Monitor.
History In 1915, Theda Bara became a movie star – whose name, background and persona were the products of movie studio PR agents. Her real name was Theodosia Goodman and she was from Cincinnati.
History
In 1916 the Committee on Public Information, headed by George Creel and created by President Woodrow Wilson, marked the first time the U.S. government coordinated wartime communications and propaganda through a central point of command.
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In 1923, Edward Bernays wrote his best- selling book, Crystallizing Public Opinion, and taught the first public relations course at New York University. In 1917, Arthur Page was named vice president of public relations for ATT, accepting the job only if he was assured a place at the company’s policy-making table.
History 1929 marked two important public relations “events:” The Torches of Liberty Parade, supposedly staged to promote female empowerment, featured women in their teens and early 20s marching down Fifth Avenue smoking cigarettes. The Parade was sponsored by the American Tobacco Company and the cigarettes, Lucky Strikes, were provided to the women.
History Bernays orchestrated “The Golden Jubilee of Light” event which marked the 50 th anniversary of the invention of the electric light bulb.
History In 1933 President Franklin Roosevelt used the relatively new medium of radio to take his messages directly to the people of the United States with his weekly “Fireside Chats.” In 1936, the Oscar Meyer Wienermobile debuted.
History
1936 also marked the first widespread use of public opinion polling. In 1937 the two reigning kings of radio comedy, Jack Benny and Fred Allen, began a public “feud” to generate publicity for their programs.
History In 1937, Hollywood launched the most elaborate publicity campaign of all time with its “Search for Scarlett O’Hara.” In 1939, Marian Anderson, an African- American singer offered a free Easter concert atop the steps of the Lincoln Memorial after being denied the opportunity to perform at Constitution Hall because of her race.
History
In 1942, the Office of War Information worked with the media and entertainment industry to build public support for American’s military efforts during World War II, most notably in its use of Hollywood filmmakers to create documentaries.
History In 1942, Rosie the Riveter posters celebrated female factory workers during World War II.
History
In 1945, the War Advertising Council became the Advertising Council, now known as the Ad Council. This group creates informational campaigns on behalf of various social causes. Smokey the Bear The Red Cross National Safety Council
History In 1946, television began to grow as a medium, offering a new venue for publicity and public relations. In 1949, Radio Free Europe, a Congressionally-mandated radio network, reached across the Iron Curtain during the Cold War to spread American news.