By Gabriele Riccardo
What are Public Relations? Why do we talk about it?
To the definitions of illustrious scholars and colleagues who have made the history of this sector (which are easily available not only in manuals translated into all languages) I would also like to add my personal idea and interpretation of this world.
It may be a banality, but today, with the strength of the digital world that may seem to prevail, I am deeply convinced that human contact, direct relationship, are a value to which many are returning. What happened with the pandemic has accelerated an important use of the technologies that were necessary to maintain contact, but the value of being together is very strong. Our cultures are very similar in this respect. Both give great value to sociability and to being together so I am convinced that what you write is better understood by you fellow readers.
Today, in my opinion, the added value of the “PR” lies precisely in a direct, personal, human contact, built over time and in mutual respect for both human and roles. A “relationship” that is based on esteem and on the continuous desire for comparison in mutual respect, including for ideas and evaluations.
For this reason, for some years I had decided to move a lot to go and meet the influencers directly. The assumption was that not everyone can, in fact, come to Italy, so we move. Considering the current historical moment, we have had to postpone all our activities in presence, but the substance remains.
In fact, communication is made up of gestures, movements, looks that tell a lot about us and what we are talking about. Meetings, events, moments in which to be able to speak directly with our interlocutors and with those who can be an aid to make known the products of our companies remain the main tool of Public Relations .
From this point of view, the willingness to listen and to meet is also fundamental, not only of those who play RP, but also of the interlocutors. In the end, a question may arise spontaneously: do I have my own definition of Public Relations? No. Because more than a sentence I preferred to illustrate a modus operandi that is based on programming and constant work and, as I pointed out at the beginning, with a direct greeting waiting to be able to shake hands again.
As always available for reflections and insights, by writing to rg@pr-vino.it
