In Defense of Public Relations

I accept the fact that PR is going to be hurting in 2009.  Another industry forecast of the PR industry recently came out from USC Annenberg Strategic Communication and Public Relations Center.  There was really nothing unexpected with the findings.

What I take issue with is Forrester Analyst Jeremy Owyang’s summation of the findings.  I have a lot of respect for Jeremy as a social computing and social media expert, but dispensing advice to PR agency’s clients to review contracts and renegotiate them is, in my opinion, beyond his area of expertise.

I wonder if Forrester Research would appreciate it if their clients began knocking on their door for lower fees.  Clearly, Jeremy doesn’t know that there are many (and I’m betting in this economy a majority) PR firms that are already overservicing clients to the point where the relationship is no longer profitable.

What he forgets is that PR pros advise clients on whether they should engage analyst firms like Forrester as part of their marketing and communications needs.  For sure, the next time a client asks whether it’s worthwhile to hire an analyst research firm, I won’t be steering them their way.  I’m thinking PR agencies should try to keep more of their client’s PR budget especially when they begin to renegotiate.

Sorry to hear that the 150 year old newspaper, Rocky Mountain News, will be closing tomorrow.  Many print newspapers are going out of business today, but this one is still quite a shock.  What does this mean for PR pros? One less newspaper to pitch.

Hope the talented reporters at RMN find homes at other outlets. I am sure many will end up writing to some capacity at a digital media outlet.  My question is why aren’t information providers like RMN getting a percentage of the bailout.  Seems like the love affair between the media and Pres. Obama is one sided.

So Quizno’s was on a promotion marketing campaign with its million sub giveaway, and they’ve finally reached a giving away a million subs. Unfortunately, even before they reached their quota, New York City dwellers never had a chance to redeem their free sub. Why? Because of the fine print that said, “participating locations only.”

Many NYC-ers feel robbed because they had to enter their personal information to avail of this free sub sandwich. Good thing, I had the good sense to enter a fake name and address. When Quizno’s sends any offer to me by direct mail, let’s just say, it’ll end up in the most famous address in the country.

Probably one of the most famous words uttered in professional sports: HELLO WORLD! If you’re clueless as to who said this, then you haven’t been paying attention to a sports personality who has transcended his own sport. You guessed it, none other than Tiger Woods.

Why borrow Tiger’s famous line for a PR blog you ask. Well, one because I’m a golf fanatic and a huge Tiger fan way before he even hit puberty. Two, because he’s a case study for what PR can do for one man and one brand. Three and most important, it’s my way of saying “I’m back baby!”

This blog has been on hiatus for a few weeks now and has had more relaunches than NASA. Unfortunately, I’m an amateur in blogging and moving the original blog to WordPress has caused all my previous posts to vanish into cyberspace. I’m hoping they don’t turn up in any of my clients’ inbox or web sites. So basically, this is now my first post though this blog is already three years old (that’s equivalent to ten in Internet time).

Here’s hoping I still have your attention. If I do, welcome to In Defense of Public Relations. Please consider this an open invitation to trash or praise my posts with any commentary.