Glossary of PR terms

Hold your own in any media conversation.

ABC

The independent company which measures newspaper circulation.

Associated Press

Supplies news to the media.

Blog

Short for weblog, this is a kind of online diary. They are incredibly popular - it's said there's a new blog created every second - and demonstrate how important self-published material is right now. See Blogger.

Citizen journalism

Where professional media publishes photos and videos taken by members of the public. Could also mean the rise of blogging.

Exclusive

A story that a media outlet has first. Sometimes still called a scoop by newspapers.

No Comment

Traditionally a phrase used when you have nothing to say to the media, but these days it is likely to make you sound guilty! Find something to say rather than a weak "no comment".

PA

Stands for Press Association; they supply news to the media.

Press release

The formal communication of a story to the media.

PR / Public Relations

The process of communicating information about you or your business to the public.

Publicity

A part of PR, publicity is a story about you in the media.

Publicity stunt

Something you do to attract attention from the media.

Rajar

The independent company that measures radio audience figures

Scoop

See Exclusive.

Got a term you think should be included here? Please let us know.