What a book! A great, interesting look at some of the myths, misconceptions and plain BS madness that has surrounded the field of public relations (PR), whilst acting as a good primer to the subject at the same time. Mythbusters takes on PR you could say!

It is an interesting mix of light-hearted humour and deadly serious, focussed text, written in an accessible way and you won’t want to put it down. Prepare for a long reading session.

Both PR provider and customer alike can benefit from a read at this book. The PR provider should, of course, already know the realities of life, but it doesn’t hurt to see how their trade is perceived and why. The PR customer may be better-informed and more likely to be better-focussed on their PR needs going forward too. For those who ‘do PR’ it may subtly (or not so…) help modify behaviours that may justify a bit of modification - it can be a secret between you and your bookseller.

Who wouldn’t benefit from reading this book could be the better question, and at its low price-point there is really no excuse for not considering it. All in all, 18 key myths get put under the author’s microscope and are given a bit of a bashing. Prepare for information overload!

Myths of PR, written by Rich Leigh and published by Kogan Page. ISBN 9780749479596. YYYYY

I read a lot, and many times i just read because a subject appeals to me and this was one of those book. I recommend this book, if you are in marketing/agent or looking to pursue career in PR - may be even a good read for someone who wants to pursue a career in PR - debunking the myth will help you go further.

Reading the Myths of PR by Rich Leigh took my back to the first semester of my public relations degree. My initial lecturers were former News Ltd journalists turned jaded PR pros. They taught me how my years in marketing was wasted now I was in public relations. And they taught me how journalists and PR pros are such opposites and could never work together. There’s even a chapter in the Myths of PR on the relationship between public relations and news media.

What’s the Myths of PR is about?
Its purpose is to shatter widespread misconceptions about PR, and grant readers insights into why these myths have endured in spite of clearly demonstrable evidence to the contrary.

I suppose the book meets the promise. Rich covers spin, all publicity is good, the perceived glamor of public relations. Really all the standard complaints about PR. None of the allegations were new to me. But I struggle with his answers. While being technically correct and supported by case studies and personal anecdotes, they read like a weary justification of life choices. Thus why I was reminded of my early PR lecturers. To be fair, Rich is in the UK. I studied PR and started my career in Australia before moving to the US. Things may be different for Rich.

Who Should Read the Myths of PR?
I wrote this before re-reading the book’s synopsis again which states the book is designed “as a vehicle for helping startup owners, brand marketers, communications practitioners, and students”. I wrote that I suspected Rich intended this book to be for PR students and the general public interested in PR. I wasn’t far off. However, the Myths of PR assumes a little too much public relations knowledge. This may confuse some. The defensive attitude is also a turn-off. Who wants a career where you’re constantly having to justify your industry choice?

So if you’re feeling done in by your public relations career choice, this book will provide you with confirmation bias. If you’re looking to be reminded how public relations has changed the world, I recommend reading the results of the Ice Bucket Challenge and Dumb Ways to Die.

An excellent account about what PR really is and how does it work in real life. It succeeds to correct many misconceptions and unprofessional approaches of the profession. Strongly recommended to the curious public, journalists but equally PR representatives still searching for a clear representation of their professional limits and everyday challenges of their work.

I think this book is brilliant! I am currently studying Journalism, PR and the Media at university, so when I was approved to read this book by the publishers, I think I leaped for joy.

The chapters are so so helpful and I have used this book many times already as a reference in my journalism essays. I loved how Myths of PR looked at how PR can also be good and how it's not all just 'fake news' that is spun to make their client look good.

A very useful textbook that I have a feeling I will be referring to over and over again over the course of my degree.