Many questions linger around lobbying and its connection to Public Relations. Sometimes, diverse disciplines of Public Relations overlap their parent profession and such one of these is lobbying.
Public Policies and laws are conceptualized, based as a system of social laws. These define a problem, identify its causes, analyze and review policies in place and create strategies to provide solutions. Public Relations pundits often disregard certain disciplines of public relations, buckling down to their deliverables, but here is why going beyond the realm of normal public relations is a value add to your firm. Just like crisis communication and media relations, lobbying is a jackpot in Public relations. Follow.
Lobbying informs and influences public policy and law. This heavily involves the government and holds key to government’s legislative decision making. This has direct impact to government policies, budget advocacy and regulations, and thus transcends to impart media policies and stakeholders and their business operations. A reward to the media and firms’ clientele who are the most important assets to any firm. That is if ideal lobbying is performed.
Key to note is good lobbying results to ideal results. More often than not, lobbyists are current or former government officials. This is because they have a vast understanding of government operations, protocols and what not. But this does not mean Public Relations firm don't stand a chance to lobby. Lobbying, therefore, provides seamless access to government, penetrating turdy processes. This is because individuals or stakeholders present grouped goals in unison. Competing interests are analyzed and more heed given to the most demanding. The power of many.
The link between lobbying and PR firms comes in tow with media relations. Essential PR practice is undoubtedly dealing with facts. Gathering relevant information and presenting facts cements base for problem definition, its causes and solutions. The media sequentially supports through agenda setting. This pushes the government to pay attention to policies in question.
Needless to say, many businesses in Kenya have been affected by this pandemic. Recently, the government hired a Public Relations firm to lobby and push for completion of a trade agreement with Washington. This said firm will also provide other discipline services such as government relations, communication support and client consultation on policies. Its senior management served as Presidents Bill Clinton’s and Barack Obama’s administrators.
Remember, ideal lobbying results to ideal results.
