I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how, somewhere along the line, the term “media relations” became such a derisive and reviled term within the public relations business. In the world of PR 2.0, Web 2.0 and everything 2.0, why have we suddenly come to the conclusion—seemingly as an entire industry—that media relations (i.e. the act of actually understanding and trying to help the media as a key function of PR professional’s job) is dead? That now it’s all about bloggers, or reaching the hottest social media “influencers” and anyone else who can who has an online portal that has high enough uniques according to Compete or Quantcast. Continue reading
Tag Archives: public relations
Plan Z
Last week, while walking around downtown NYC with my 5 year old he pointed to one of the taller buildings while we waited to cross the street and asked (in his “I know the answer but I want you to know that I know” voice), “Daddy, do you know what will happen if that building falls down?”
He’s been a bit obsessed (and pessimistic) about meteors hitting the earth since we explained how the dinosaurs became extinct. So whenever he asks ‘catastrophe questions’ we always try to assure him that whatever it is “isn’t going to happen” (assuming it’s true) and do our best to reassure him we don’t live a world where buildings just fall down or [insert catastrophe here]. Continue reading
PR Pro’s New Year’s Resolutions
It’s that time of year again – time for reflection over the last 12 months, time to consider our victories and our losses, time for copious amounts of champagne and other adult beverages, and time to improve ourselves for the coming year. And so, in no particular order (and with varying degrees of humor, sarcasm and (hopefully) wit)… Continue reading
Ugh, Time Management
Well being that it has been one month, and one week, since my last post, it’s probably time to jump back on the bandwagon. Between a new job, moving to NYC, and the holidays, balancing everything has been quite difficult for me. Honestly, if it has been difficult for me, it most likely has been difficult for more out there, hence the post on Time Management.
I feel like every interview I go on, when someone asks “What is your weakness?” I always say, ‘Time Management.’ It’s definitely an easy out, because most people have time management issues so it’s pretty acceptable – and I’m not about to admit a fault that I have that isn’t acceptable…Now, don’t get me wrong, some people have natural time management skills, have minor OCD, can stick to agendas, and fit everything in their life, but this is definitely something that takes time. The real question is how does one learn time management skills? Continue reading
Get Out of the Way of Success
We all have opinions. Hell, those opinions, and its cousin – counsel – are a major part of what we as communications and brand management professionals are sought out and paid for. But at a certain point, no matter how great we think our opinions, ideas and strategies/tactics are, once the ideas are all out on the table, and our clients (or potential clients) and bosses have had a chance to mull them over, that’s when the really hard work begins. That’s when it’s time to compromise.
And listen. And not get all bent out of shape when someone questions your motives or puts it right out there and says they just don’t like/get your concept or proposal. That can be a tough thing to accept, I’m learning. And yet, it’s actually quite a relief. It means we don’t always have to be perfect, and not all of our ideas have to be world-changing, save-the-planet and/or the-next-greatest-thing.
It means we listen a little harder in 2010 and relinquish the silly “guru” and “expert” tags from our bios and Twitter intros and just listen to people’s needs. The economy may still be sour, but at the end of the day, there is still a great need for tons of companies, non-profits and organizations to cut through the clutter and make 2010 a hell of a lot better than 2009.
Our job is to continue to give our opinions and stellar counsel and don’t get too bent out of shape because the new year is sure to present just as many questions as the past 12 months.
We all have opinions. Hell, those opinions, and its cousin – counsel – are a major part of what we as communications and brand management professionals are sought out and paid for. But at a certain point, no matter how great we think our opinions, ideas and strategies/tactics are, once the ideas are all out on the table, and our clients (or potential clients) and bosses have had a chance to mull them over, that’s when the really hard work begins. That’s when it’s time to compromise. Continue reading
Think Like an Entrepreneur
Here’s my vision of what is one small component of what makes up a great PR professional: entrepreneurial spirit.
To me, entrepreneurial spirit is vital to making it in this business. An entrepreneur is a fighter. He is someone who is always looking one—or two—steps ahead of both the competition and his peers, and is actively finding a way to make the often difficult and impossible happen. And with flair. And gumption. And great success. Continue reading
Managing Agency Expectations
Throughout your career as a PR professional at an agency, you will always have clients that you love and clients that you hate. Ones that have a product or service that you feel really passionate about and love promoting, and some that make you scratch your head and say “How are they still in business?” Regardless of how you feel towards your clients, your job is first and foremost to help them. It’s important to put aside any personal feelings and do the best you can- it will only help you in the long run through the experience you’ll gain and the reputation you’ll gain at your agency.
That being said, doesn’t a company who is looking to actually become a “client” have a certain responsibility as well? Continue reading
Beggars Can’t Be Choosers
Before I start this post, you should know more about my PR experience. While I was in college I interned in both fashion and book publicity. I was an active member of PRSSA, attended regional and national conferences, and held executive board positions. I did anything I could do to learn more about PR, from attending school workshops to conducting informational interviews with different companies. I was, and still am, a sponge when it came to PR. Looking back on it now, these experiences taught me what sectors of PR I thought I wanted to work in. After all that’s what college is for right? Continue reading
Letter To The Editor
We’ve got another one folks — a letter to the editor, oddly enough in the (oh so dear to my heart) “Dear Editor” format. The writer? A “PR Gal” who would prefer to remain nameless.
Dear Editor,
This isn’t working out. The whole You-Me-Client trio. This fable we laughingly call a relationship.
I’m done. Simply put – this is the worst relationship I’ve ever been in and I’ve dated some losers. I’m sick and tired of living in fear of you, quivering at your number on my caller ID, and getting panic-stricken at the sight of your e-mail address rolling into my inbox. Continue reading
Serve Your Employees
It’s been over five years since I first entered this biz. In that time I’ve worked in a single small agency. We don’t do a lot of office birthday party type celebrations but we’re all family. There are a number of benefits to working in such a firm – the office manager doesn’t bean count days out, part days may not even count against your vacation/sick days, we’re all relatively familiar with each other’s clients, etc.
There are, however, a number of dangers of working in such an office. After speaking with some flackery brethren at various events it seems a number of these are recurrent themes among small firms.
Some of these come with the territory and are difficult to fix. Others can be easily fixed. Continue reading