A Journey to the World's First PR Museum: Bernays and The Museum of Public Relations
Sevda Solak
Founder - TimePR I Public Relations (PR) and Communications Consultant I Board Member - NEPi Group I Co-President - PWN Istanbul I Board Member and General Secretary- TUHID I President - Moda Soroptimist Club
My deep interest and passion for public relations have remained unwavering throughout my career, only growing stronger each day. I continue to explore this profound profession to better understand, learn, and share my insights with the brands, youth, and industries I serve. This time, my curiosity led me to the world's first PR Museum in New York. Wanting to make this experience more special, I decided to not only explore the museum’s atmosphere, but also have a one-on-one conversation with the museum's founder, Shelley Spector .
I got in touch with Shelley and successfully arranged a private meeting. This museum visit wouldn't just be a journey through history; it would also offer a closer look at the perspective of one of the pioneers of public relations. As I arrived in New York from the airport, a sense of excitement engulfed me beyond what I felt about visiting the museum. The prospect of spending time with the museum team for in-depth discussions about my profession and the industry was thrilling.
?Together with my brother, who picked me up from the airport, we went straight to the museum and were welcomed by Matilda Lindberg , Associate Director of the?Museum of Public Relations. Matilda told me about the museum's history, detailing the works of significant PR pioneers like Ivy Lee, Edward Bernays, Ofield Dukes, Muriel Fox, and Arthur Page, showcasing the evolution of public relations visually.
The Museum's Story
The story behind the museum’s inception begins with Shelley Spector and her husband, Barry, meeting Edward Bernays. The museum's story begins to take shape in the mid-1980s when Shelley and Barry are inspired by conversations with Bernays on his deathbed. Shelly and Barry recognized the importance of preserving these unique stories and the wealth of information, leading them to decide to establish the Museum of Public Relations. Interviews and records conducted with Bernays over ten years laid the foundation for the museum. Shelley Spector established the museum to preserve this profound collection of information and Bernays' professional belongings.
The museum is authorized by the New York State Department of Education as an educational institution. It operates as a dedicated institution for the profession, aiming to keep public relations literature alive, educate future generations, and contribute to the industry by showcasing the works of various public relations innovators. As a non-profit public institution, the museum also hosts special events, such as free summer schools, contributing to the industry.
Diversity and Inclusion at the Forefront
A notable aspect of my visit was the museum's emphasis on diversity. In an era where public relations literature often focuses on male pioneers, learning about the presence of female PR experts like Doris Fleischman in the museum was surprising. Doris Fleischman, known as a feminist journalist and Edward Bernays' wife, was also a PR trailblazer. The museum introduces a diverse collection of PR pioneers, offering a broad historical perspective.
?The Museum's Mission
The museum's mission is not only to focus on prominent figures but also to uncover the stories of many lesser-known figures who have worked in various fields in the industry. From Zelda Popkin, who established a PR agency in the 1920s, to Lynne Choi, an Asian female PR specialist, the museum aims to share the stories of PR history professionals who have had an impact on the industry. Another priority is to gather oral histories that shed light on the past, including those of influential figures like Harold Burson, the founder of one of the largest public relations firms in the world: Burson-Marsteller.
Inspiring the Future of Public Relations
The Museum of Public Relations, serving as a source of inspiration for PR professionals worldwide, has been contributing to the industry for over 25 years. It continues to work for the industry through various events and programs, targeting both students and professionals. These activities aim not only to keep PR literature alive but also to celebrate diversity and different voices in the industry. Under Shelley Spector's leadership, the museum passionately works to pass the profession's history to future generations and shed light on the evolution of public relations.
Hosting this rich source of information, the PR Museum continues to be a learning and inspiration hub for those working in the industry and students. Looking back at the history of public relations can help us approach the challenges of today from differing perspectives. In the coming years, more diversity, learning-focused strategies, and a return to the fundamentals of the industry could make public relations even stronger and more effective.
New York is accessible for me, thanks to my family members living in the US. I understand that insisting on visiting may not be feasible for everyone, but if your path leads you to New York, don't miss it. I'm leaving the museum’s website and social media addresses below. Follow this unique organization of public relations. After all, the essence of our profession is to follow life, people, developments, and the future, is it not?
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Sevda Solak – January 2024, PR At?lye Magazine 7th Issue Article
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8 个月?? ?? ?? Sevda Solak ?? PR At?lye Dergisi
Founder/Director, Museum of Public Relations; Pres. Spector Corporate Communications
8 个月Sevda, Many thanks again for your visit and this write-up! Dick Martin, Barry Spector.
Thank you for this great topic and photographs ????
?stanbul Ayd?n üniversitesi ?leti?im Fakültesi Halkla ?li?kiler ve Tan?t?m Anabilim Dal? Ba?kan? - PR At?lye Dergisi Genel Yay?n Y?netmeni
8 个月Dear Sevda, thank you very much for writing this beautiful and original article for our magazine, this topic was covered in a sectoral magazine for the first time in Turkey ??????
Business Trends and Analysis with a Focus on Founders and Startups. ????????
8 个月It's wonderful that you had the opportunity to write about your experiences for PR At?lye Magazine, and it's great to hear that Matilda Lindberg and Shelley Spector played important roles in enriching your visit. Thank you for sharing the link to the article in both Turkish and English.