The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1897-05-28
PRESS AGENTS EVERYWHERE.
Value of Publicity Recognized by
other Than Theatrical PeopIc

othsr iuan theatrical People.
One of the most important ouI Igrowths
of the systematic methods by means of
which the managers of large enter
prises keep the public informed about
matters in which they are interested
* the press agent. Although most pro-
pie believe that they know all about
the functions of that officer, the bust
ness is really much more widespread
than is generally known. The average
man speaking of a press agent has tine
one who is connected with the theatcT
in mind. lie Is the man who sends para
graphs to the theatrical editors, in
which ne not only gives the advance
programmes. but works in. or endcavors
la do 50, all sorts of views about his, par
ticular actor or singer. or the company
in which he may lie Interested With
many press agents who act in keeping
with the policy of their employers the
chief end is to keep the name before
the public. and anything is rcsortcd To.
from Il description of an elaborate
gown or stolen diamond to an i'm
aEinary runaway or an impending di-
NOrce suit. AS ii rule, the theatrical
agent is Il clever man, and to his good
work the success of many an enterprise
may lie traced.
Other large advertisers were quick
I" recognize the worth of a press agent
AID the consequence is that newspaper
men have found employment in that
capacity recently in lines which are
far removed from the "show business
but employ the same methods
One of the first branches of business
to employ a press agent WAS that of
which were organized to develop Ger
tain tracts of land in the far west found
that. although advertising brought
them good returns, they needed some
thing more 10y means of which their
scenery aud climate could be made p0r-
ular- The press agent was the solution
of the problem. The proper man was
found and departed on his mission of
education TO the far-away places with
men with bank accounts who were lock
ing for new homes III pleasant places.
and presently the country newspapers
began to 5ristle with descriptions OF
farm lands in the domain of the Ufes,
agent, unrivaIed for productiveness and
home sites. which. in point of climate
and scenery. were absolutely perfect
and so desirable that the reader vas led
from the place was day thrown away.
he land-boomIng press agent Las come
to the east and is an important factor
in the Development of new summer re
sorts and residence aEneXes to Iarsc
cities.
Another field for his usefulness was
found by the press agent with railroad
corporations. In one instance a railroad
company had gained the in will of many
newspapers and criticism of its methods
was a daily occurrence. The directors
created the place of press agent and in
stalled an experienced newspaper man
with power to make investigation
any subject and instructions TO max,
public such matters pertaining to the
road as would Counteract the previously
circulated reports. y few months after
ne assumed control of the place the
press agent said that the adverse crit
cism had ceased and that the ncVvsJs;i-
PcrS had been won to the roads friend
ship.
But that is not all" said n press
agent who had served in that capacit,
for years. Even society needs IL.
pres agents, and there are mrn in New
York today who receive pay for keep
ing the names of men and women " be,
are on the edge of society bcro:c l'lc
public. These people Gre partly I'm IN.
swim themselves. hut are not avcrsr &.
earning an honest dolla.' and they man
age 10y hook or by crook to have Mr.
Nobody and Miss Wouldbe mentioned
in connection with society matters &c.
casiUnally. and hy that means st:Inullt
their vanity and give them hope that
some day hey may he able 10 enter tn,
sphere for which their press aren't is
preparing thcm."-N. Y. Tribune.