PR and Sigmund Freud

Before reading this article, please, try to guess what is the bond between PR (Public Relations) and Sigmund Freud?

In 1916, on entering the war, the president of the USA appointed a journalist friend to form a Commitee of Public Information to generate domestic support for the war effort. This provided the impetus to a surge in the development of public relations, led by a group of young men newly experienced in propaganda that included press agent Edward Bernays, a nephew of the psychologist Sigmund Freud: Bernay`s mother was Freud`s sister and his father`s sister was Freud`s wife.

Bernays`s earlier publicity clients had included the world-renowed singer Enrico Caruso.

"THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN "PROPAGANDA" AND "EDUCATION," REALLY, IS IN THE POINT OF VIEW. THE ADVOCACY OF WHAT WE BELIEVE IN IS EDUCATION. THE ADVOCACY OF WHAT WE DON'T BELIEVE IN IS PROPAGANDA."

- EDWARD BERNAYS

"WHO ARE THE MEN, WHO, WITHOUT OUR REALIZING IT, GIVE US OUR IDEAS, TELL US WHOM TO ADMIRE AND WHOM TO DESPISE, WHAT TO BELIEVE ABOUT THE OWNERSHIP OF PUBLIC UTILITIES <…>WHO TELL US HOW OUR HOUSES SHOULD BE DESIGNED, WHAT FURNITURE WE SHOULD PUT INTO THEM, WHAT MENUS WE SHOULD SERVE AT OUR TABLE, WHAT KIND OF SHIRTS WE MUST WEAR, WHAT SPORTS WE SHOULD INDULGE IN, WHAT PLAYS WE SHOULD SEE, WHAT CHARITIES WE SHOULD SUPPORT, WHAT PICTURES WE SHOULD ADMIRE, WHAT SLANG WE SHOULD AFFECT, WHAT JOKES WE SHOULD LAUGH AT?"

- EDWARD BERNAYS

"IF WE UNDERSTAND THE MECHANISM AND MOTIVES OF THE GROUP MIND, IT IS NOW POSSIBLE TO CONTROL AND REGIMENT THE MASSES ACCORDING TO OUR WILL WITHOUT THEM KNOWING IT."

- EDWARD BERNAYS