5 reasons why it’s the golden age of PR
Posted Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 9:41am in PR General | 13 Comments
1. IT’S A HOT TOPIC OF CONVERSATION Never before has PR been discussed by so many people who don’t work in the industry. Admittedly not always in a good light, but you can’t deny the profession is a hot topic of conversation among the media, business people, marketers, bloggers and a whole host of different people.
2. CONSUMERS ARE MORE SAVVY THAN EVER BEFORE. Advertising doesn’t work like it once did - if it ever did - and, quite frankly, I don’t care about the latest razor David Beckham is pimping. Direct Mail? Nothing more than offline spam.
3. THE ADVENT OF SOCIAL MEDIA IS PERFECT FOR PR. The fundamentals of the profession are about establishing relationships and two-way communication - the very essence of social media. Bring it on.
4. BUDGETS ARE SHIFTING. Only narrowly but it’s still early days. Businesses are beginning to understand the value of long-term clear and authentic communication, as opposed to spending huge amounts on a one-off display ad.
5. REPUTATION HAS NEVER BEEN MORE IMPORTANT. In the age of globalisation, intrusive journalists, a cynical public and the ability for anyone to break news on a global platform, looking after reputation is just as important as looking after the balance sheet.
BONUS REASON
6. IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT ONLINE! Please don’t be so insular in your outlook. Step away from the computer every once in a while; you may realise that PR works in many shapes and forms. Admittedly, not always for good (but one can say that about almost any profession) but often for very worthwhile causes.
Three PR Mavericks
Posted Tuesday, August 5, 2008 at 9:14am in Blogging, Photos | 3 Comments
Andy Wake from event management company, Don’t Panic, has tagged me with a blog meme around an up-and-coming event he’s organising called New Wave PR. Andy says, “Don’t Panic are now putting together our New Wave PR event and we thought a meme might be a fun way to create some buzz, identify potential speakers and find out who you feel the visionaries, mavericks and pioneers of PR really are.
“The idea’s simple. We’re asking you to list the three communicators living or dead who have most influenced your way of thinking professionally and perhaps personally too. Who do you think the real innovators are? Who’s been most responsible for kicking the industry forward? And just who are the communication PRunks?”
Andy’s listed his three so here goes mine. Although, I must admit, my three haven’t necessarily influenced my way of thinking from a professional point-of-view, but I respect and admire them for their communication skills nevertheless.
Muhammad Ali - Early on his fight career, Ali (who was at the time known as Cassius Clay) was a quiet and reserved character. That is until he met a wrestler known as Gorgeous George - a flamboyant self-promoter who would show little respect for his opponents. Ali adopted this style and used it to garner media attention in a time in America when black boxers were supposed to only fight and not be heard. Watch this YouTube video to see what I mean.
Richard Branson - No CEO can work the media like Branson. From his crazy hot air balloon stunts and sailing the Sex Pistols down the Thames singing Anarchy in the UK to the compassion he showed in front of the camera after a Virgin train derailed in Cumbria last year. Branson knows the value of good press and will do practically anything to get it.
The PR blogosphere - A little cheesy, yes, but Andy’s brief asks who the real innovators are and who are responsible for kicking the industry forward. The media evolution (read: not revolution) which we’re going through at the moment has caused a number of people in the industry to share thoughts, ideas and best practices with one another in ways which were previously not possible and regardless of the country they reside in. To that, I salute you.