Question 1

Ivy Lee used PR techniques to defuse public anger over the Ludlow coal strike of 1914.

Accepted Answer

Ivy Lee was hired by John D. Rockefeller Jr. to help defuse public anger over the Ludlow coal strike of 1914 using PR techniques.

Question 2

The first public relations practitioners were primarily theatrical agents who staged stunts to get newspaper coverage for their clients.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. The first public relations practitioners, such as P.T. Barnum, used stunts and sensationalism to garner media coverage for their clients, often blurring the lines between reality and fiction.

Question 3

Journalists have traditionally held PR practitioners in low esteem.

Accepted Answer

This is a commonly held belief, as journalists often view PR practitioners as being biased and trying to manipulate their coverage. However, there are also many examples of positive relationships between journalists and PR practitioners based on mutual respect and professionalism.

Question 4

Deadheading was the practice of giving reporters free rail passes with the tacit understanding that they would write glowing reports about rail travel.

Accepted Answer

Deadheading was indeed the practice of providing reporters with complimentary rail passes in exchange for positive coverage of rail travel.

Question 5

PR practitioners find focus groups and surveys less helpful than instinct in planning campaigns.

Accepted Answer

Focus groups and surveys provide valuable data and insights that can inform and guide PR campaigns, often more reliably than instinct alone.

Question 6

Edward Bernays worked on propaganda to help the U.S.government during World War I.

Accepted Answer

Edward Bernays is considered the father of public relations and worked on propaganda campaigns for the U.S. government during World War I.

Question 7

In-house PR departments usually just create newsletters.

Accepted Answer

In-house PR departments typically engage in a wide range of activities, including media relations, crisis management, social media management, event planning, content creation, and more. While newsletters may be one small aspect of their work, it is far from the only thing they do.

Question 8

Exxon's response to the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska is an excellent example of a company using thoughtful crisis management to help its public relations.

Accepted Answer

Exxon's response to the Exxon Valdez oil spill was widely criticized for being inadequate and slow, causing significant damage to their public relations.

Question 9

Companies often hold plant tours and open houses to convince their local communities that they are good citizens.

Accepted Answer

Companies often hold plant tours and open houses to showcase their operations and communicate their community involvement, sustainability efforts, and commitment to the local economy. This can help build trust and positive relationships with the community.

Question 10

Independent PR firms are usually huge organizations with a national clientele.

Accepted Answer

Independent PR firms can vary in size and scope, ranging from small boutique firms to larger regional or global firms. Their clientele may also vary, from local businesses to multinational corporations.

Question 11

Unlike the wide use of press releases in print journalism, television journalists rarely use video news releases (VNRs).

Accepted Answer

Television journalists do use video news releases (VNRs), although they are cautious about their potential biases and often seek to verify their contents before using them.

Question 12

Reporters object to PR professionals who make it difficult for them to get access to people they want to interview.

Accepted Answer

Reporters rely on their ability to conduct interviews with key sources in order to produce accurate and informative news stories. When PR professionals make it difficult for them to access these sources, it can hinder their ability to do their job effectively.

Question 13

Public relations is largely a male profession, with relatively few female practitioners.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. Public relations is a profession that has a relatively high percentage of women compared to many other fields. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, women make up about 63% of public relations specialists in the United States.

Question 14

Edward Bernays preferred to call himself a "publicity agent."

Accepted Answer

Edward Bernays preferred to call himself a "public relations counsel" rather than a "publicity agent," as he believed it better described his work in shaping public opinion and influencing behavior.

Question 15

It is illegal for most companies and organizations to engage in lobbying.

Accepted Answer

It is not illegal for most companies and organizations to engage in lobbying, although there are regulations and disclosure requirements that vary by location.

Question 16

Ivy Lee, one of the founders of public relations and often dubbed "Poison Ivy," believed that deception was better than honesty in public relations.

Accepted Answer

Ivy Lee was actually known for promoting honesty and transparency in public relations, including the concept of issuing a "declaration of principles" to ensure ethical communication with the public. The nickname "Poison Ivy" was given to him by critics who opposed his work as a PR practitioner.

Question 17

Individuals and organizations with extensive PR resources usually receive more coverage in the media than those without such PR resources.

Accepted Answer

This is generally true, as PR resources can enable individuals and organizations to effectively pitch their stories to journalists and media outlets, increasing their chances of receiving coverage.

Question 18

Reporters would have a harder time doing their job without the help of PR practitioners.

Accepted Answer

PR practitioners assist reporters by providing them with information and access to sources, helping to coordinate interviews and press conferences, and pitching story ideas. Without the assistance of PR practitioners, reporters may have difficulty gaining the necessary access and information to report their stories accurately and effectively.

Question 19

P.T.Barnum used gross exaggeration, fraudulent stories, and staged events to secure newspaper coverage for his clients, his American Museum, and his circus.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true.

Question 20

Press releases are created using a specific PR style of writing.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Press releases are created using a specific...

Quiz 12: Public Relations and Framing the Message