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     Public Relations firms have been around for over a century. One century and six years to be exact. The very first Public Relations firm was opened in 1900 and was located in Boston Massachusetts.  The “Publicity Bureau” (which it was known as) was put together by former newspapermen. It was no surprise when writers and staff members of the papers formed the firms because until PR was established, newspapers were how organizations communicated with the public.

     After the Publicity Bureau took off, other firms started developing. William Wolf Smith opened in Washington, and another firm was opened by a well known practitioner named Ivy Lee. Lee and George F. Parker opened their firm, which became the most popular publicity bureau of its time. Even though it only stayed open for four years, it helped to kick start Lee’s career.

     Public Relations agencies are primarily responsible for getting the attention of the public and letting them know what is going on with the organization they work for. They employ practitioners to deal with the public, problem solve and help companies handle any problems that may arise.

     PR firms and PR practitioners go hand in hand. You cannot have an agency without practitioners to work in it. Great practitioners have emerged from great agencies where they have acquired the hands on experience that made them great. There is no doubt that college and university is indispensable, but joining an agency and getting to work with other people in the same field is where you really learn if you have what it takes to do the job. The great thing about Public Relations firms is that it gives the practitioners a chance to talk to other practitioners and learn from them.

- Caitlin Yearwood (Edited by, Kim Resendes)

Helpful Websites

Council of Public Relations Firms www.prfirms.org 

All About Public Relations www.aboutpublicrelations.net. 

 PR Firms Directory www.marketingtool.com