The document discusses how a company's public relations (PR) has changed from being centralized and controlled to more dispersed and open due to technological advances. Originally, PR acted as a bridge and filter between a company and outside world, controlling the flow of official information. However, the rise of the internet and social media allowed customers, employees, and others to publicly share their experiences, turning companies into "colanders" with information leaking through many channels. Now PR must adapt to influence conversations across multiple media while maintaining an official company voice for key functions like marketing, crisis response, and advising leadership.

1. once upon a time….a company’s PR was like a teapot

2. Old orderPR was a bridge between a company still in departmental silos, and the outside world:Guardian angelORCompanyGuard dog

3. Old orderMAJOR INFLUENCERS:TRADITIONAL (PRINT/BROADCAST MEDIA)

4. ANALYSTS

5. FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONSWere able to amplify their thoughts and opinionsMINOR INFLUENCERS:PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OF COMPANY

6. CONVERSATIONS IN PUBSFew places to amplify their thoughts and opinionsGeneralisation alert!PR was the funnel to the outside world in terms of official communication

7. Things coming out of businesses were polished and professional

8. Unprofessional = unacceptablegood journalism kept worst offenders on their toesBernie Madoff

9. Virgin v. BA

10. Enron

11. MG Rover

12. Price fixing

13. palm oil & Amazon

14. food production standardsbut mostly, if the PR department did it’s job, things were happy enough journalists and others might have to wait for information

15. staff knew where to direct themand everyone plodded along in their silospurchasing & productionhuman resourcescustomer servicesales & marketingfinancial