ABSTRACT

Howard Chase noted in 1952 that “public relations should always be remembered as an operating philosophy by which worthy institutions can become part of the daily lives of the people they serve”. Public Relations (PR) News was established by Glenn and Denny Griswold in 1944. The story of the helpful presence of the corporate persona went beyond enlightening the public about business’ essential financial role. Considering that National Association of Manufacturers had pioneered large-scale corporate persona efforts, the notion of a corporate personality by 1950 was likely a bit abstract and elusive to PR News’ readership. Offering the corporate persona as a way to convince individuals that their goals and interests were shared by corporations also had benefits for the profession. Corporations observed that the American ethos for accomplishment was much like its own, but the lingering post-Depression and post-World War II desire for security among citizens allowed room for the continued promotion of government welfare programs.