Chapter 11 MASSCOMM - Chapter 11 NOTES 1 Early development in public relations o Press agents sought to advance a clients image through media o PT

Chapter 11 NOTES 1. Early development in public relations o Press agents : sought to advance a client’s image through media o PT Barnum and Buffalo bill o Used gross exaggeration, fraudulent stories, and staged events  Audiences like to be tricked o Bill: recreated dramatic gun fights  Wide variety of press agents: newspapers, articles, novels, and theater  Shaped myths about American expansion  Publicity : type of pr that used various media messages to spread info o Big businesses and press agents  Railroads used press agents and lobbyist to obtain federal funds • Buy favorable news stories about rail travel from newspapers through bribe • Dead heading : gave reporters free rail pass with tactics that they would write well about them  Interstate commerce act of 1881: raised rates and brought smaller firms out of business • Derailed competition to achieve a monopoly • Third party editorial services sent favorable articles about