Comments on: Comet Branding Radio | recap | The changing role of PR as Media Evolves + Why Social Media Will Not Kill PR

By: On death, PR and social media | Brand Central Station

On death, PR and social media | Brand Central Station — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:27:58 +0000

[...] a little history Thanks to Al Krueger and this post on his Comet Branding blog. Al was actively pimping his online radio show via Twitter yesterday [...]

By: The PR Wheels Are Turning Once More — Kicking Sand

The PR Wheels Are Turning Once More — Kicking Sand — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 07:38:33 +0000

[...] state of media. It got my PR wheels turning again (finally) and I found myself re-visiting the BIG question Al Krueger posed in [...]

By: Death, PR and social media « Brand Central Station

Death, PR and social media « Brand Central Station — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 13:53:24 +0000

[...] a little history Thanks to Al Krueger and this post on his Comet Branding blog. Al was actively pimping his online radio show via Twitter yesterday [...]

By: Al Krueger

Al Krueger — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 13:43:17 +0000

These are all very great comments. Please! Keep them coming. Thank you all for sharing. I will be posting my perspective later today.

By: chris thiede

chris thiede — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 05:03:38 +0000

I think the problem with PR is it has allowed itself to be defined by a very small part of what it is – writing releases, schmoozing reporters, pitching stories. And that diminishes the real value a good PR practitioner can provide.

Some 15 years ago, as a young PR guy, I sat in a Ragan conference and was told that PR people should be first and foremost advisors to the company and more specifically, the CEO. They should represent the voice of the “public” to the company as they make decisions about their products, services, policies and actions. But I think that rarely happens.

One needs only to look at the automakers’ CEOs flying to DC on private jets. A good PR person should have had the ear of the CEOs, telling them, “guys, maybe you should drive.”

That’s an extreme example and more related to corporate PR, but I think it’s instructive for agencies, small company PR departments, etc. A good PR person might be able to prevent an ill-advised ad campaign, for example.

There are other things PR as an industry needs to do, but (re)claiming the role as advisor and counsel ought to be up there.

By: Dave Racine

Dave Racine — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:15:52 +0000

Darwin was right. Only today, it’s more about the ‘survival of the fastest.’ Those in PR who aren’t changing their practice habits fast enough will succumb to their own ignorance. It won’t take long before the PR industry corrects (not redefines or reinvents) itself. That might also mean it gets worse before it gets better.

It’s important to bear in mind that PR and publicity are STILL to very different things. I’ve spoken with several members of the media who lump proper PR professionals together with publicists, and while parallel lines can be drawn between the practices, the individuals and their organizations suffer because of the misconstrued roles.

Now, as consensus agrees that PR needs to evolve, defining the role isn’t an end goal, but better defining the message from the top down, is.

By: Denny Yunk

Denny Yunk — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:10:00 +0000

From a client’s perspective, I can say that PR in its traditional definition really doesn’t speak to my market (outdoor sports). I doubt many aspiring mountain bike racers read press releases, but they sure do light it up on blogs, social networks, YouTube and other social media channels. Public Relations should give way to Personal Relationships.

By: caroline

caroline — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:37:16 +0000

I think the problem lies in the foundations of the role. Sadly I do not know any senior PR practitioners, only those with a few years experience. The only PR people I know share the following traits (which may or may not be characteristics which attracted them to the role of PR practitioner): over wordy and pretentious writing. Self absorbed and arrogant. neurotic and insecure. needy. uninspired or over whacky in concepts. These people I know are in their early to mid 30′s and all share the fact that they are inherently immature. I know there must be some hard working sensible creative young PR people out there, it is certainly unfortunate I have not met them yet. As a retired business manager (age 33yrs) I would rather shoot myself in the bum than hire any of these people, perhaps someone can put me right and tell me what characteristics they feel make a great PR person?