The name of this blog ”The Ethos of Public Relations” occurred to me when reading Aristotle’s Rhetoric. After 15 years of providing PR counsel and coaching to executives, the overarching value of PR undoubtedly centers on the ability to establish credibility.
Blog names like “Ethos, Pathos & Logos: The Triumvirate of Persuasion” crossed my mind. But for one to espouse the core value of public relations, ethos clearly dominates. Ethos focuses on the value generated by the character of what’s being sold or who’s selling it, which determines a perceived level of credibility. Granted, appealing to emotions (pathos) and logic (logos) plays a role in public relations. But credibility serves as the foundation to persuasion. Hence, the chosen blog name “The Ethos of Public Relations.” In other words, the character of public relations must create credibility to succeed.
-KJR
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