I am in the process of laying that foundation in one of my classes now. This is a group project that assigns us to a real client. Our first assignment is formative research, specifically a client analysis. We break down the organization, the situation and the publics. This seems like a simple way to start, but it really has helped. We know where the client is coming from and where they want to go.

How to get them where they go is a little more than common sense, but that is where education and experience come in. Continually learning methods of communication can fill in the rest of the equation.

Yes, I do agree with you in saying that PR has a lot to do with common sense, but I think common sense is just the beginning of it. I just began one of my last classes for PR, my campaigns class, and although I am aware of everything I need to research and find out before I begin my campaign, actually finding all the information out is a lot harder than it looks. My campaign is directed towards a young Auburn Alumni group, but is that my only public? Although that may seem like common sense, there is so much more research that I must go into in order to make sure that the campaign is successful.

Overall, I believe that the idea of PR and what it requires can be referred to as common sense, but actually being a good PR practitioner requires much more than simple common sense. If it didn’t, then why would it be studied at major accreditied institutions across the country? If it was simple common sense, then anyone could get a job in PR and that definitly is not the case. I hope I will be a good PR practitioner not only because of my common sense, but because of my knowledge of the field.

But he might have a point about the common sensical approach he takes to some things. And I also think that this common sense can go a long way in developing new products.

In this article (http://www.killianadvertising.com/wp4.html) about the lifespan of new products, the introduction of a new product is compared to playing Russian Roulette, the only difference being that the new product failure rate is higher than the chances of shooting a blank.

Funny though, because the big push of the article is to think of all sorts of new and crazy ideas…and if you haven’t thought of at least a few not sensible, less-than-feasible ideas, your session was worthless. Those crazy marketing people. Maybe there is some sort of compromise between the ultra-safe and the ridiculous.

I think we, students and practitioners in public relations, are somewhat bias because we know all of the information. People outside of the pr world don’t know as much about tactics and strategies we use in public relations. My roommate is an early childhood education major and when I try to explain things that we discuss in class, she is left clueless. Things that are common sense to us are not always common sense to other people that have not had experience or knowledge in that area.
Things that public relations practitioners and students come into contact with are usually basic knowledge and common sense for the majority of people. But there are those few that are left behind the pack and have no clue as to what’s going on. Sometimes you just have to pull them along with you and explain later.

I agree. Public relations being common sense is something I’ve come to realize only in the past year. I chose the major at Auburn because I tried several other majors and realized that math wasn’t for me and neither was extensive thinking. I like public relations because it’s not like other majors in the sense that everything is not concrete, I have a reasonable amount of freedom of thinking and creativity. There are some aspects to public relations that requires a lot of thinking and expertise. Those things include surveys and problem solving. Every client requires a different strategy and thought process and that is what makes it thrilling.