‘Unmentionable’ condoms vs. ‘glamorous’ pills: How the London Rubber Company tackled an image problem in 1960s Britain

IF 2.7 Q1 COMMUNICATION

Public Relations Inquiry Pub Date : 2021-05-05 DOI:10.1177/2046147X211014085

Jessica Borge

引用次数: 1

Abstract

This article responds to a special call for papers on the subject of ‘Taboos in Health Communication: Stigma, Silence and Voice’ and presents the historic case study of the London Rubber Company, manufacturers of Durex condoms, who used PR techniques to undermine confidence in the oral contraceptive pill over 1961–1965. It is argued that continuities between the public discussion of birth control products between the 1960s and today can help practitioners to better understand the nature and uses of ‘fake news’, secrecy and transparency and the productive possibilities of rumour. It is written from the perspective of an empirical research historian with an interest in historical cases of PR relating to contraception, using a qualitative, chronological approach based on original archival research.

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“难以启齿”的避孕套与“迷人”的药丸:伦敦橡胶公司如何解决20世纪60年代英国的形象问题

这篇文章回应了一个关于“健康传播中的禁忌：耻辱、沉默和声音”主题的论文的特别呼吁，并介绍了杜蕾斯避孕套制造商伦敦橡胶公司的历史案例研究，该公司在1961-1965年间使用公关技术破坏了人们对口服避孕药的信心。有人认为，从20世纪60年代到今天，公众对节育产品的持续讨论可以帮助从业者更好地了解“假新闻”的性质和用途、保密性和透明度以及谣言产生的可能性。它是从一位对避孕相关公共关系历史案例感兴趣的实证研究历史学家的角度撰写的，采用了基于原始档案研究的定性、按时间顺序的方法。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Public Relations Inquiry COMMUNICATION-

CiteScore

4.10

自引率

11.10%

发文量

期刊介绍： Public Relations Inquiry is an international, peer-reviewed journal for conceptual, reflexive and critical discussion on public relations, supporting debates on new ways of thinking about public relations in social, cultural and political contexts, in order to improve understanding of its work and effects beyond the purely organisational realm. We interpret public relations in a broad sense, recognising the influence of public relations practices on the many forms of contemporary strategic, promotional communication initiated by organisations, institutions and individuals. The practice of public relations arises at points of societal and organisational change and transformation, affecting many aspects of political, economic, social and cultural life. Reflecting this, we aim to mobilize research that speaks to a scholars in diverse fields and welcome submissions from any area that speak to the purpose of the journal, including (but not only) public relations, organizational communication, media and journalism studies, cultural studies, anthropology, political communication, sociology, organizational studies, development communication, migration studies, visual communication, management and marketing, digital media and data studies. We actively seek contributions that can extend the range of perspectives used to understand public relations, its role in societal change and continuity, and its impact on cultural and political life. We particularly welcome multi-disciplinary debate about the communication practices that shape major human concerns, including: globalisation, politics, and public relations in international communication migration, refugees, displaced populations terrorism, public diplomacy public and corporate governance diversity and cultural impacts of PR the natural and built environments Communication, space and place The development and practices of major industries such as health, food, sport, tourism, technology.