Functions of Public RelationsPublic relations are everywhere today. It is a practice that has become an important aspect of any business enterprise. Whether an organization is non-profit, for-profit or government, it always needs and desires to communicate its purpose within the community and public relations makes this happen. There are several audiences with whom the public relations practitioner must correspond and each requires a different means of communication. Internal publics are found inside organizations, such as employees, managers, and shareholders. “External audiences are those not directly related to the organization: the press, government, educators, customers, suppliers, and the community” (Seitel, 2004). Each audience plays a key role in the organization's public relations. The many functions of public relations can also be classified based on the purpose they serve the organization. Organizational Functions of Public Relations “There is a fundamental difference between the functions of public relations and the functions of marketing and advertising. Marketing and advertising promotes an individual product. or a service. Public relations promotes an entire organization” (Seitel, 2004). There are several functions of public relations and they can be classified into organizational functions and societal functions. Some of the organizational functions of public relations are: media relations; employee relations; and community relations. “Public relations specialists must understand the attitudes and concerns of the community, consumers, employees, and public interest groups and establish and maintain cooperative relationships with them” (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2006). These functions are organizational because they maintain goodwill between the organization and consumer by providing information on how the organization contributes to the general welfare of the community. Media relations is a public relations function that works directly with the press. This allows the press to publicize the organization in the best possible light so that the organization can gain notoriety and standing in the community. Employee relations concerns the internal publics of the organization. Managers and employees who work for the company receive current information about policies that affect their well-being and the future of the organization. Again, public relations promotes goodwill, but this time it's between the organization and those it employs. Community relations positively reinforce the organization's message and image within the community. This promotes the organization as a positive actor and member of the community. Societal Functions of Public Relations Some of the societal functions of public relations are advertising and marketing communications. Advertising is a marketing-related function that generates positive exposure for the customer..