The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 4, Issue 2 (June 1, 1929.)
The Function of Publicity
The Function of Publicity.
“What,” continued Mr. Sterling, “is the function of a Director of Publicity? It is to let the potential buyer know the worth of what he has to sell.” The function of the publicity agent went far beyond that of mere cold-blooded salesmanship. He must be a public educator. “If he rises to this idealisation of his duties and opportunities he gets a position in public estimation that is really worth while. He ranks with the world's professional educators—its statesmen, architects, edusationists, doctors and engineers.
Mr. Sterling said that in administering the affairs of the Railways he aimed to place its publicity service on this plane. In order to bring its efficacy to the maximum it must be raised in dignity on a scale comparable with other professions.