When Public Relations and Turkey are in question together, Betul Mardin must be mentioned as she laid a foundation of public relations in this country.
Betul Mardin ,who is called as Grand dame of public relations, is a famous Turkish public relations specialist. She was borned in 1926 in Istanbul as a daughter of a renowned family whose members were statesmen, diplomats and leaders in the civic, military and business sector of the Ottoman Empire and the Republic of Turkey. Her father was parter in a petroleum gas station chain and her brother , Arif Mardin, was a renowned Turkish- American music producer across the world who worked with hundreds of artists and groups like Quenn, The Bee Gees, Anita Baker, Aretha Franklin, Bette Midler, Laura Branigan, Chaka Khan, Scritti Politti, Phil Collins, Daniel Rodriguez, Norah Jones, Richard Marx, Culture Club and Jewel.
In addition, Arif Mardin worked at Atlantic Records for over 30 years as both an assistant, producer, arranger, studio manager, and vice president before moving to EMI and serving as vice president and general manager of Manhattan Records was awarded 11 Grammy Awards. These videos are some of his music he produced and fame tribute in 2005.
As for the main character, Betul Mardin, she began her career in 1955 as a magazine journalist in a newspaper and was sent to London to attent a course on television held by the BBC.
1968 was the turning point for her in terms of directing to Public Relations totally. By that year, she dedicated herself to this area and between 1976 and 1982, she served as the president of the International Public Relations Association(IPRA) in 1995.
After one year, she became the founding president of the Turkish Public Relations Specialists Association. With reference to her contribution to the public relations proffession, she was awarded “Lifetime Honorary Member” of the IPRA in 1998.
In the same year, she became a member of the Europen Public Relations Confederation (CERP).
In 2005, she was also honoured by various institutions for her contributions to the public relations, including the "Golden World Award" from IPRA and "2005 Lifetime Success in Public Relations Atlas Award," from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). In 2005, International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO) nominated her for induction into its Hall of Fame.
Betul Mardin co-founded I.M.A.G.E in 1987 which is a publicity and public relations company representing Weber Shandwick Worldwide Inc. in Turkey and became its CEO.
Moreover, Betul Mardin lectures in journalism and public relations at Bosphorus University and Istanbul University. Since 1997, she is the program coordinator at the School of Public Relations of Istanbul Bilgi University.
Now, Betul Mardin is 84 years old. She is still vigorous, eager, resolute and each day she welcomes rejuvenates her instead of stealing from her energy. She is exactly a perfect example for young generation to take a role model. This genius woman who found out the key points of life, reaching success and living good never avoid sharing her experience. In one of these sharings which she pointed out to the savings of her theatre experience; she linkes theatre and public relations by stating:
“As for theatre experience, theatre tought me to observe the surrounding occurrences in a creative way. Especially ‘casting’ task I was responsible for improved my capability of knowing people better; and tought me to manage human relations as well as using the term of empathy in public relations sector. Theatre provided me to go through so many topics which can not be thought apart from theater like mythology; and this encouraged me to learn different cultures in the world.”
Once, Betul Mardin answered to a question which was that “ What would you recommend to the youth in their life?” like this :
“ Diligence, having enthusiasm for working and motivation are compulsory for work life. They should try to increase their self-confidence by thinking always positively. They must read everyday and develop themselves; or they will not be enough in general knowledge. They should follow the world, be creative. There are people even who does not know the job, public relations. Especially I have an advice for those who want to be successful in public relations: They definetely must form a human- network for minimum 300 people and keep the relationship with this network active and warm. This kind of network is the most important support for a public relations master. For example, my clients knows that whenever they need me I am going to be there; and also I know to whom I am going to reach to solve the problem.”
With these qutoes of her, it is clear that since her childhood, she has a big conciousness either on general life or public relations cranch of the life. Smilarly, it is possible to emphasize her conciousness by quoting her 10 gold rules of life:
- Every morning, do sport. Not every other day but every day.
- Always work, produce and keep your brain busy. There must always be some tasks you should be busy with.
- Follow the world, current news. Watch news, read newspapers, magazines, books. Catch the agenda. Update yourself in every area. Be aware of the last published books, the restaurants opened currently and which colours in fashion as well.
- As for marriage, it is not compulsory, do not worry. It is not necessary as well. Rather, I can even say : One problem less!
- However, when the children are in question; if you can, have it. Because loving someone with such a big love and being responsible for it not only does not make the child such happy but also keeps you happy. If you do not birth, adopt one. In any condition, it will be your own child, no difference. Even if you do not adopt any child, then help a child to shape his/her future thanks to you; for example give education to him/her.
- Eat meat at least once a day. Consume vegetables and fruits in every course.
- If you want to be far away from death, keep a diary. Those little notes are either witness of your life or a good source of knowledge for the future.
- Be positive.
- Learn to accept something which even you are not advocate of . It is impossible for whole women to like you. So, be careful to some women.
- As for males, do not love a few of them in the same time; but know men have a capability to love a few women in the same time.
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