There's a story about a public relations practitioner who is asked to write a biographical sketch of a controversial ancestor. After committing a heinous crime, his great uncle had been put to death in the electric chair. After some thought, the PR professional writes:

"Great Uncle Harold occupied a chair in applied electronics at important government institution. He was attached to his position by the strongest of ties, and his death came as a great shock."

This little parable captures the popular perception of public relations and those who practice it: the view is that we are clever, good with words and fast on our feet, but often less than transparent.

Read full article at IPRA website HERE.