The executive vice president of corporate communications for Comedy Central talked to ISU students Monday about public relations as a possible career path.

Tony Fox, of Los Angeles, came to Iowa State to address sensitive public relations issues with students.

He talked about the evolution of public relations in Comedy Central, where he has been from the very beginning back in 1991. The station was created after competing stations, HA! The TV Comedy Network and Comedy Channels, merged.

Fox told of the problems coming from the merger of two companies who had previously fought for the same audience and were now forced to work together.

He also mentioned how public relations were far superior to marketing.

“Marketing can’t carry PR’s lunch box,” Fox said.

“First, PR is free. You have to pay for marketing. And second, PR requires third-party endorsement. Marketing is you tooting your own horn.”

Fox said publicity stunts were performed to get Comedy Central off the ground because they couldn’t afford to do marketing: crisis management, targeting strategies, technology changes, awards and using celebrities to generate publicity at events.

Crisis management includes how to handle a show like “South Park,” which might be considered a public relations nightmare.

“We planned ahead, the five-minute short ‘The Spirit of Christmas,’ which was the predecessor to ‘South Park,’ was sent ahead to hundreds and hundreds of decision makers,” Fox said.

“We also had public support including media support because we anticipated that it would get into trouble.”

Kristeen Primus, president of the ISU chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America, which sponsored the event, said most college students watch Comedy Central and she was glad Fox was willing to come speak to students about her area of interest.

“We thought he would capture the audience’s attention because of his background and who he works with, people like Jon Stewart and Dave Chappelle and his relationship with the media,” Primus said. “He does this day in and day out.”

Primus said she was hopeful for about 100 students. They turned out in much larger numbers than what she had expected.

“I’m very happy we had to expand he room to fit all the people,” Primus said. “We have lectures twice a year, one in the fall and one in the spring. The next one will be in February or March and, hopefully, we will have a turnout just as big.”