Olivia Pope's PR Secrets: Bridging Fiction and Reality in Media Influence

What does it mean to be a "fixer," and what is  the deal with government relations? In the television  show Scandal Olivia Pope shows us how a woman can use public relations(PR) to handle serious issues and wield power. Scandal is a TV show about a woman who takes control and thrives to make life easier for those in a crisis. Although we know TV isn't reality, watching Pope made me view PR in the news differently. So, what can we learn from her? How did she show the connection between PR and news? I'm here to share some of the tricks Pope used that also apply in the real world.

What is a “Fixer”

Pope is famous for being a "fixer," but what did she really do? When we think of a "fixer," we might imagine someone who cleans up messes or makes bad situations better, like a crisis manager who handles tough problems. She is well-known for her ability to deal with serious political and personal crises, often involving illegal or unethical actions.

On the other hand, PR professionals usually focus on managing how a company or a person appears to the public, their reputation, and what they say in everyday situations. When Pope deals with a situation, her main job is to make her client look good in front of the media, whether that means telling the complete truth or not.

Public relations is about being honest and ethical in the work that is done. A "fixer" is about making sure that your client's crisis is resolved, even though a “fixer”  may handle it differently than a PR professional. Both roles are all about making sure the clients get the best results when handling the news.

PR in News

In the realm of news, PR professionals use various media approaches. One of the most prominent PR strategies is media relations, which involves maintaining connections with journalists, reporters, and media entities to secure news coverage for their clients. PR professionals create news releases, story ideas, and access to experts, as well as helping journalists create compelling narratives. A prime example of this is demonstrated when Pope threatened to expose a story to the media, effectively leveraging her knowledge and influence into a PR maneuver. This showcases how PR can be applied in diverse news articles.

PR plays a crucial role in news outlets for several reasons, including the ability to tell captivating stories, facilitate promotions, and prevent and manage crises. People are keen to stay informed about events worldwide. PR allows for a fresh perspective on these events, and transforms knowledge into a powerful tool for shaping news narratives. This power is what makes PR a vital force within the news industry.

Unveiling the Nexus: Fixers, PR, and the Dynamics of News Narratives

In all, Pope from Scandal helps to bridge the gap between the roles of a "fixer" and those in public relations (PR). Her ability to handle crises and manage reputations aligns with the essence of being a "fixer," while shedding light on the power of PR in shaping news narratives.

In the world of news, PR professionals build connections with the media to craft engaging stories, promote clients, and manage crises. The underlying principle is transparency and ethical conduct, ensuring clients are well-represented in the media.

Alexandra Lucaj is a senior studying Advertising and Public Relations. Alexandra is GVPRSSA’s VP of Member Services for the 2023-2024 academic school year. She had previously been VP of Public Relations. She is also an Account Executive for GrandPR, Grand Valley State University’s student-run, nationally-affiliated, and student-run integrated communications firm. This summer she was the Community Relations Intern for the West Michigan Whitecaps and this fall she is the Communication intern for Boileau Communications Firm and Game Night Presentation Intern for the Grand Rapids Gold. In her free time, she loves to go to Grand Haven and go on any adventures that come her way. Alexandra is also involved in AASO, Albanian-American Student Organization as the current president for the 2023-2024 school year. After graduation, Alexandra would love to work for a professional sports team doing PR specific work.