Facebook is well known as an advertising platform but an event last week could signify a closer relationship with another branch of marketing – public relations.
The event, reportedly attended by representatives from the likes of Electronic Arts and eBay as well as big PR agencies such as Ogilvy & Mather, was designed to showcase Facebook’s strengths as a PR platform. A report on the Reuters Mediafile blog says Facebook officials including Randi Zuckerberg explained how tools such as live-streaming special events or finely targeting marketing pitches could help PR campaigns, with the formal presentation followed by canapes and drinks on the roof.
The social networking site has also set up a page for PR professionals with information such as how to “like” any article online, using a Firefox plug-in, or tips on live-streaming. The page, set up at the end of last week, has 258 fans so far.
Facebook has long played a prominent role in public relations. As consumers’ media usage changes and the power of mainstream news organizations declined, PR professionals have followed their audiences onto social networks. And with Facebook’s 500 million users worldwide, the site is front and center for any social media marketing or PR campaign.
It is typically the PR team from any given company that runs the corporate Facebook page, a key tool in engaging consumers. However, it’s not always about push marketing – sometimes the PR team is forced to be reactive rather than proactive, for example several months ago environmental activists used the Nestlé Facebook page to vent their anger over unsustainable palm oil in chocolate.
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With scandals about paedophiles grooming children on Facebook, and British cop-killer Raoul Moat publishing his hit-list on it, etc etc, I would be very surprised if Facebook were NOT cosying up to public relations bods!
Comment by Ed — July 26, 2010 @ 11:47 am
It's ironic. While Facebook may have strengths as a PR platform, Facebook's own public relations are abysmal.
Comment by Darryl Barnes — July 26, 2010 @ 7:49 pm
There are just 750 PR Proffesionals in the PR group
Interesting 
Comment by Martin — July 27, 2010 @ 2:35 am
Let's first separate the two very important functions of marketing and PR. While often there is a need to have the two functions work well together, their responsibilities to their organizations and public are different. Marketing typically deals with the exchange of some monetary value. Public Relations should be charged with maintaining a positive environment to enable the exchange of value.
As a member of the Public Relations of Society, our commitment is to maintaining ethical and open communications between our "clients" and our stakeholders (often target audiences). Our organization represents thousands of public relations professionals subscribing to a code of ethics and higher standards of communications.
Social media is yet one more tool that must be integrated into our communications tool box appropriately.
Comment by Bob — July 28, 2010 @ 9:02 am
I am checking to see if you have a claims manager by the name of Kim Kinney that works for you.
Claims Manager
kim kinney (above it says kim kinney ???)
lotteryagent74@yahoo.com
Face Book Public Relation Office
.She has contacted me on the basis of winning the Facebook/yahoo lottery.
Comment by Aaron — March 3, 2011 @ 7:23 pm
I agree with the venerable Howard Burson that Public Relations as a discipline is forever. Facebook is indeed a great PR platform, a phenomenal social medium, but it is just one of many tools of communication. PR is not defined by how quickly one communicates but rather by the soundness of one's plans and programs to improve public attitudes.
Comment by Charlie A Agatep — March 19, 2011 @ 10:45 pm
I got the same notice as you but the name was Denise Summer. Is it for real or just another scam and a way to put you on a spam list?
Comment by Lyle Ege — March 23, 2011 @ 1:00 pm
lollymoore claims 2011@yahoo.com contacted me SANDRA ROWLETT OF LOTTERY WINNINGS IS THIS JUST A SPAM OR SCAM ? IF SO AS FACEBOOK PUBLIC MANAGER YOU SHOULD NOT BE DOING THIS YOU ALL READY HAVE PEOPLE ATTENTION WE USE FACEBOOK A LOT SO WHATS THE POINT FOR ONE THING SOME OF US HAVE NEVER WON ANYTHING AND TO LOOK AT SOMETHING LIKE THIS ON MY PAGE LOOKING LIKE ALOTTERY # THAT KIND OF THROW ME FOR A LOOP AND AT THE SAME TIME I AM BEING EVICTED OUT OF MY APT AS OF THE 12TH OF AUGUST THIS TYPE OF ACTION IS JUST WRONG ,I HAD BEEN CALLING FOR HELP ALL MORNING AND TO COME SIT DOWN ON MY COMPUTER TO JUST RELAX MY MIND AND SEE THIS JUST ANGER ME.
Comment by SANDRA ROWLETT — August 8, 2011 @ 4:16 pm
I received the same lottery message yesterday from Ms Lola Moore aka lollymorre_clms2011@yahoo.com
Is she for real?
Dalyn
Comment by dalyn — August 15, 2011 @ 3:42 pm
I also got a notice of being a lottery winner through facebook for an anniversay drawing of 100,000.00. The name of a claims manager is Mr. Thomas Wright. What is going on???? The tracking number does not match any number with ups. Is this another scam??
Comment by Marilyn Morgan — September 12, 2011 @ 3:12 pm
What kind of scam or spam is this lottery??
Comment by Marilyn Morgan — September 12, 2011 @ 3:19 pm
I got the same scam or spam from a Thomas Wright. He claims to be in your public relations deptment. It's same ole s**t of winning lottery on facebook. Such idots should be band from facebook.
Comment by Marilyn Morgan — September 13, 2011 @ 3:38 pm
i is this truegot one man says i won face books yearly sweeps steaks my name was picked 1000.0000
Comment by Ladora Leggett Cumbie — September 26, 2011 @ 12:39 am