I thought long and hard over whether I should write this post or not.
What’s in a name?
When I started this blog not long ago, I have to admit, I was more excited over the name than anything else. I think it’s catchy, fun, attention-grabbing, and perfect for what I envision PRnography to become. Especially the way the graphic came into it. PRnography has just enough shock value to give the impression I want about the blog.
Or so I thought.
I sent a PRnography link out to someone who’s opinion I highly respect, asking for an opinion of the site, and whether or not the name was appropriate or not, or too riske (the two responses I would expect, if someone were to find either disrespectful.) To my surprise, I recieved an answer that I hadn’t forseen. My respected reviewer thought that because of the name, the blog would centre around pornography, or PR in pornography, or pornographic PR.
Wow, was I off or what? That’s not at all what I meant with PNrnography.
Let me try to expain:
If you look up pornography, this is what you get:
por·nog·ra·phy (pôr-nŏg’rə-fē) n.
- Sexually explicit pictures, writing, or other material whose primary purpose is to cause sexual arousal.
- The presentation or production of this material.
- Sensational material: “Recent novels about the Holocaust have kept Hitler well offstage [so as] to avoid the … pornography of the era” (Morris Dickstein).
(from Dictionary.com)
Now, if I were to rewrite that for PRnography, I suppose it would come out something like this:
PR·nog·ra·phy (pee-ahr-nŏg’rə-fē) n.
- Explicit, edgy, controversial or thought-provoking pictures, writing, or other material whose primary purpose is to cause arousal, and relating to PR or communication.
- The presentation or production of this material.
- Sensational material…relating to PR or communication.
Does that make more sense? That is what I’m trying to convey with PRnography. But its important for this to be the message that comes across with the name. Especially because I am in communications, I should hope that I’m communicating the message I want to the correct audience.
So I open the question to you: What do you think of PRnography, the name, the blog, etc. Good? Bad? Communicating what I want? When you saw PRnography, what did you get out of it?
I’m very curious for your response.
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I think the name is great. It grabs your attention and that’s what you want in a logo/graphic. PR is in capitals which makes the name so clever. Anyone who would mistake this for a pornographic site obviously dosen’t understand how to play with words. Everywhere you look nowadays you see this type of wordplay. Also, the content is thought provoking and witty. I’m telling everyone I know about PRnography.
I didn’t think it was going to be about pornography. I got exactly what the second definition describes. Maybe…maybe there is a generation gap involved? Our generation is desensitized to sex and violence etc, so i think anyone from our generation would see beyong the direct pornography reference. In fact, I think we would expect it to reference beyond that. Maybe I’m wrong though. What generation was said reviewer from?
I wasn’t shocked when I saw the title of your blog, but maybe that’s because I know you. Haha. It makes me happy to see people applying their personalities and interests to their potential career in these blogs of ours. I think you and Rick have pulled that off quite nicely.
Yeah i like the name. the first time I read the title of the blog i didn’t even think of porn at all. I thought of photography. After re-reading it a few times the title became a little clearer. The graphic i think is really well done for the blog considering what the title is not because of the shape of the logo but more because of what creates it; letters. Which in my opinion couldn’t be more appropriate for a blog.
I don’t think that its derogatory in any way. With that in mind I don’t see why anyone would see it as inappropriate.
keep up the creativity.
-Simon
After reading the description of the blog, it was pretty clear what the name was conveying. My first impression was that you were going for some shock value, but it became clear quickly that you were going for an edgy blog that aroused thoughts and discussion.
I know you like the electronic entertainment (i.e. video games) Lisa, have you checked my blog out? gamepr.blogspot.com
I thought it was hilarious, and never even once though of the idea that your blog would have anything to do with ponography. I think its a clever play-on-words…very catchy. I think the name is very “you”.
keep up the good work!
Maybe it’s because I’m in “the industry”, but not for a second did I think that it would be pornographic (as much as the subliminal hormonal instinct may have subtly wished it would be!). In fact, I would tend to think that anyone in a slightly creative industry (and I would put PR in the ’slight’ category, not just out of attempting to be humble, but out of respect to the REAL creative people out there), there would be instant admiration for its name. The industry is entirely about finding innovate, captivative, and effective ways to push an idea and thoughts across — and it begins with getting the initial attention and allowing the further messaging to take care of itself. The fact that the very name generates a debate says it is effective; the possibility of it being further effective will prove the legitimacy of the thought going forward. But you have a fan here. -TC
i think assuming that the blog is about porn is a kneejerk reaction which ultimately draws people in….which is really all you need in terms of branding/ getting people to click on the link. its fairly innocuous, and i wouldnt say its risque at all. plus theblog is a good read
I like the name, but the reality is that someone who is older, conservative, powerful, and in a position to potentially help you may not. This isn’t because they necessarily have some massive problem with pornography, but it wasn’t always the casual association that it is now. Porn used to be very stigmatic – the territory of guys in trenchcoats in Times Square or, worse yet, something that is outright illegal.
What I’m saying is that it can offend peoples sensibilities even if it doesn’t offend their morals, and if you’re seen to disregard that, it may have implications on whether your head is really malleable to public relations – if you’re thinking more in terms of the public than you are of yourself.
It just all depends how you want to market and brand yourself, Lisa, but personally? I would conceal these inclinations until you’re more established. The old guard is still out there, and they still run things. I’m not saying you’ll be stamped with a scarlet letter for this, but my point is that I can’t see the benefit at this point – only the potential cost.
Just my 2c.
Wow, great comments everyone! You’ve given me a lot to think about…Do you think I should post under a pseudonym for the time being?
anybody that thinks your blog is about pornography in the traditional sense is simply looking at it in too linear. I’d presume they’re likely quite conservative as well. are these the people you’re interested in connecting with?
to me, the name speaks to the sensationalist and capitalist aspects of PR. so I guess I do relate it to pornography but in the third definition that you’ve listed.
as for a psuedonym, I wouldn’t bother. you’re taking a stand on what you want to say. whatever you voice should be opinions you stand by. if you’re provoking people to think and share ideas, wouldn’t you want credit for that?
I think the name is great. Extending the term “pornography” beyond the association to sexually explicit material is doing a great service. You get to remind people of the depths of the human lexicon and add an artful element back into language.
I don’t think you should use a psudonym. Maybe some older or very conservative people may
not understand it, but is that the audience you’re catering to? Even if your employer may not like it, he/she would not be able to ignore the fact that you are catering to a specific audience (young PR/communication workers) and that you are doing it very well. You can’t make everyone happy. That’s understood, even by your PR boss. But you can make most people happy if you target a group, focussing on a particular audience. Which is what PRnography is. If employers are using the blog as a representation of you Lisa, I don’t think you should worry. It will show that you are creative, edgy, and can really keep up with trends.
Most companies realize they are losing touch with younger audiences, and would probably jump at the chance to have you on their team. If they can’t see that, then is that really a company you want to work for?
The only other bad thing I see coming from this is because you’re a girl. Some people might think you’re trying to sexualize yourself or use sex to sell your ideas. However anyone that took the time to read the blog, or anyone that knows you personally would know that there couldnt’ be anything further from the truth. You are the last person to use sex to sell. As a former co-worker I can honestly say you’ve always been professional. You’re different and often un-traditional, but you’re always professional. I think that will always come through. I say you shouldn’t worry.
The play on words is very obvious and clever. I think it may have something to do with the generation gap between you and your instructor, is she/he the conservative type? – however the only place I can see making you think twice is on the actual URL link…but that would really depend on your audience, and I think anyone within that circle would get it.
I LOVE the name. It’s original and it’s outside of the box. I’m tired of the lack of creativity out there. If every blog had the same concepts and names – what fun would that be? There is an obvious generation gap so some people will not appreciate the connotations behind the name.
I think the name is great.
The logo may make things fuzzier.
If you are really worried about people making the mistake I would lose the sketch of the woman, possibly add a subheader, i.e. ‘A Public Relations Blog’ or something more clever, and maybe have the text read P.R.nography to make it clear that each letter is part of an acronym.
Or leave it how it is. I like the name.
As to posting under a pseudonym, it would give you some freedom in your writing, but I would suggest that you make it clear that you are writing anonymously.
I personally think the name is genius and I’m surprised that no one has come up with this before.
It’s pretty clear that when you read the title, that it’s about PR and not pornography.
PR is in capitals and might I add…. in a different colour.
A lot of companies do the same, playing with words, which I’m sure people may find offensive.
For example, the fashion retail chain French Connection UK, which uses this as their logo–> Fcuk. Also Richard Branson who started the whole Flick Off campaign played with his font, so when you read “Flick off” it looks like “Fuck off” Check it out. http://www.flickoff.org/
Can I swear here? Oh well, whatever!
You get my point. Yes, to some people this may be offensive at first glance but at the same time, if it catches their attention and they look into it, they’ll realize “Oh, Fcuk stands for French Connection UK.” Or “That doesn’t say “Fuck Off. It says Flick Off and they want me to conserve energy.” And “Oh, this isn’t about pornography. It’s about explicit, edgy, controversial or thought-provoking pictures relating to PR or communications.”
And then they’ll say “Ha! The joke was on me. How clever of them to trick me. Man, they sure got my attention.”
Lisa you got their attention. Look, we’re talking about it. Good job girl!
P.S I wouldn’t change the name but if you want to please the conservative crowd just a bit. Then I suggest getting rid of the womans body, elbows down.
That way the image is still playful cause you can tell it’s a woman but at the same time they’ll notice that it’s a woman made out of letters. Once again, very clever!
Great to see lots of thought-provoking material here. I was particularly struck by the parallel between the Citroen ad posting and the visual approach to the top of your blog. Both work hard to get attention in an edgy sort of way. Citroen wasn’t interested in making a political statement. The ad, with its play on words (& visuals), was about selling cars, nothing more. That’s why the company was quick to pull it when it’s original purpose started to go awry. PRnography also uses those devices cleverly. It will inevitably get some backlash because it takes some risks. The visual reinforces the first impression that the blog seems to have something to do with PR and pornography. Intended impression or not?
Hi Lisa,
You have made quite an impression on me and my blogging experience. I must admit that I am not much of a blogger (soon to change). However, the title “PRnography” definitely grabbed my attention and encouraged me to read on. The name is representative of your personality—fun, open-minded, energetic and approachable! These characteristics are also present in your writing and I’m sure your blog will be a success. I do not think that the name gives off a negative association a negative connotation of you; if anything many future employers and others in the PR industry will acknowledge you for taking a risk and sharing your creative ideas. I look forward to reading more.
~Sarah