This course gave me the solid grasp on the foundations of traditional public relations methods, while also introducing ways to plan, research and execute effective media strategies. Understanding that media relations involves so many strategic ways to inform the public of an organizations mission, policies, and practices in a positive, consistent and credible manner-- made me think about my career as a PR representative. I was not planning on completing an internship program for public relations. But after completing a couple assignments, I think it’s in my best interest. I think I need to have hands on experience with a PR company, so I am able to see how PR representatives become successful within this field. Exploring the concept that a public relations professional must understand the media community as well as learn how to engage with the media in a professional manner to achieve their public relations goals. This sounds easy but it’s really kind of difficult. Overall, my understanding of media relations is simply involves telling a story about an organization to an audience outside the organizations immediate reach.

My objective for this course-- to anticipate what information PR representatives should share with their audience, publications to notify and to what type of journalist to talk to. I have learned that this tactic determines how much influence I can have for a business or in the market. Surprising, media relation like most elements of public relations is not a one size fits all strategy.