Okay, I posted a brief comment about this on Marqui’s blog, but I can’t resist adding something about it here…
I’m interested in what the next generation of PR pros thinks about MTV’s new reality series: PoweR Girls. The show, which airs in March, will chronicle the trials and tribulations of PR professionals at a New York firm. Of course, the firm belongs to Lizzie Grubman and the participants look like supermodels.
The appearance of PoweR Girls resulted in a flurry of e-mails among my female PR colleagues, since it seems to perpetuate some of the worst stereotypes about women in PR. Now, this isn’t the first show to give women in PR a bad rap. “Samantha” on Sex in the City certainly did little to enhance our image and who can forget the ladies of Absolutely Fabulous.
Perhaps it’s premature to ask this question since the show hasn’t even started yet, but I’m curious about first impressions. Also, one comment on my earlier post raised the question as to whether or not “publicists” and “PR professionals” belong in the same category.
Is there a difference? It seems like splitting hairs to me. I think the larger issue is that the PR industry needs to start engaging in a little more positive PR on its own behalf.
