An op-ed contributor writing in The New York Times argued that marketing the Olympics as an event that automatically creates economic growth for cities is misleading. The author also writes, “Every two years, Olympic boosters channel their inner Al Gore, claiming the mantle of ‘the greenest Games ever.’ Sadly, the reality has not matched the P.R.”
We don’t know if the writer is correct, but he reminds us about a key point regarding public relations that is worth repeating. PR should center on better sharing a company’s story not subduing a truth. PR is about finding opportunities and positioning a business as a leader within an industry. Public relations is about sharing substance, giving solutions and offering new ideas.
Good PR is not skillfully trying to convince people a product is awesome when experience and conventional wisdom is saying it sucks or is so much less. If people don’t smell the B.S. initially, they or the media eventually see what you’re shoveling. Don’t play games.