Speeches by a company’s executives at a meeting of trade associations, and interviews given to TV channels, help to boost the company’s image. These activities come under which function of the public relations department?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Corporate communication
Option (1) Press release — Incorrect. Press release means getting the media to carry news about the organisation, presented in a positive manner, with true facts. Here the executives speak for the company themselves; no news story is sent to the press.
Option (2) Lobbying — Incorrect. Lobbying means dealing with government officials and ministers on policies that affect the business. The speeches are made to trade associations and TV channels.
Option (3) Publicity — Incorrect. Publicity is favourable news about a product that the media carry on their own, without cost to the firm and without an identified sponsor. An interview the company gives is the company speaking for itself.
Option (4) Corporate communication — Correct. Corporate communication means promoting the company’s image by communicating with the public and its own employees. Speeches by executives at trade association meetings and interviews with TV channels are the company speaking for itself in this way.
NCERT (2026-27 Edition): “3. Corporate communication: The image of the organisation needs to be promoted through communicating with the public and the employees within the organisation. This is usually done with the help of newsletter, annual reports, brochures, articles and audio-visual materials. Companies rely on these materials to reach and influence their target markets. Speeches by the company’s executives at a meeting of trade associations or trade fairs can really boost the company’s image. even interviews with TV channels and responding to queries from the media go a long way in promoting public relations.” |