Questions and Answers
What is the primary role of a strategy in the context of a program?
How do key messages function within a public relations strategy?
Which of the following distinguishes tactics from strategies?
In public relations, what is meant by 'doing the plan'?
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What factors might dictate whether a program has one or multiple strategies?
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What is often viewed as a dollar not available for implementing program activities?
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What can happen if a public relations team does not have a plan?
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In what scenario did a company experience significant loss after the death of its CEO?
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What is one of the key components of planning within public relations?
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In the public relations process, which step follows research?
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Which acronym represents a series of steps in the public relations process?
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What perspective do clients and bosses usually have regarding public relations practitioners?
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Why is it important to plan in advance in public relations?
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What is the primary purpose of strategic planning in public relations?
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Which of the following best describes the role of creativity in public relations planning?
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What does systematic planning in public relations involve?
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How does a well-structured public relations program benefit an organization?
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What is an essential component of effective public relations planning?
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Which statement accurately reflects the concept of strategy in public relations?
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What analogy is used to describe the planning process in public relations?
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What is the result of ineffective planning in public relations?
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What is the primary purpose of Management By Objective (MBO)?
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Which of the following best describes the first step of the MBO process?
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In the context of MBO, why is it important to understand audience/publics?
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How can audience objectives enhance the effectiveness of a communication campaign?
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What does MBO ensure in terms of campaign results?
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Why is specificity important when defining client/employer objectives in MBO?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic to consider when analyzing the audience in the MBO process?
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What is the benefit of using a checklist approach in the MBO planning process?
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What does OOP stand for in the context of public relations budgeting?
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What is a good practice for budgeting in a public relations plan?
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Which element of a public relations plan relates directly to the stated objectives?
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What must objectives be in order to evaluate a public relations program effectively?
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Which method is NOT typically used for evaluating an informational objective?
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What evaluation method can measure the effectiveness of motivational objectives?
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What should the evaluation section of a program plan include?
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How can the success of a video news release be evaluated?
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Study Notes
Importance of Planning in Public Relations
- Public relations practitioners should prioritize "thinking" and "planning" over merely "doing."
- Investing in research and planning is crucial for achieving desired outcomes and results for clients and bosses.
- Short-term success must not lead to complacency; circumstances can quickly change, causing failure without a solid plan.
Consequences of Poor Planning
- Unexpected events, like the injury of a key player or changes in management, can jeopardize an organization's success.
- Historical examples include the downfall of Eagle Computer, which faltered after the unexpected death of its CEO before a stock offer.
Process of Program Planning
- Program planning follows research in the public relations RACE acronym: Research, Action, Communication, Evaluation (Action denotes planning actions).
- Effective public relations strategies align with an organization's business and communication objectives.
Characteristics of Strategic Planning
- Strategic planning determines future goals and outlines strategies to achieve them, preventing aimlessness.
- Practitioners must analyze situations, create strategies, and establish measurable outcomes.
Coordinated Planning Methods
- A coherent public relations plan utilizes various communication methods—news releases, multimedia, events, and more—ensuring effective execution.
- Systematic planning avoids ineffective and scattered communication.
Approaches to Planning
- Planning can be likened to assembling a jigsaw puzzle, where systematic information gathering and analysis lead to a clear final picture.
- Management By Objectives (MBO) is a widely adopted method, providing direction for strategies aligned with organizational goals.
Steps in Management By Objectives (MBO)
- Define client or employer objectives to clarify the purpose of communication.
- Identify target audience characteristics; tailor messages based on demographics.
- Understand audience expectations to craft relevant messages that resonate with their interests.
- Develop broad strategies to provide guidelines for achieving objectives and formulating key messages.
Detailed Elements of Planning
- Strategies can have a single or multiple outlines based on goals.
- Tactics entail specific activities that execute strategies, making them the visible aspects of public relations planning.
- Common budget practices include distinguishing internal staff costs from operational expenses, with a recommended 10% contingency for unforeseen costs.
Evaluation of Public Relations Efforts
- Evaluation should tie back to stated objectives; metrics must be established to measure success.
- Informational objectives can be gauged by analyzing media mentions and distribution figures.
- Motivational objectives may be assessed through sales increases, inquiry calls, or perception surveys before and after campaigns.
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Description
This quiz delves into the essential balance between action and planning in public relations. It discusses the misconceptions around budgeting for research compared to executing program activities, emphasizing that successful outcomes stem from thoughtful strategy rather than mere activity. Explore the critical role that planning plays in achieving measurable results.