Catch PR people doing something RIGHT!
- 19 Comment
When someone in the public relations (PR) industry screws up, we all hear about it. Today is no different. Techcrunch published a post about a PR firm who hires people to pose as real customers of iPhone apps and generate positive comments. I’d like to believe the good pros out there know this is NOT the way to do business.
This is not representative of the entire PR industry.
There are so many who do the right thing on a daily basis without ever being acknowledged. Why? Because they are doing the work they are supposed to do. It doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t be recognized though.
A comment on my Facebook page today inspired the idea for today’s post. 
Do you know a PR pro or firm who has done something right? Share a comment on this post, or submit an idea for a guest post to prsarahevans at gmail dot com. For every negative story I’d like to believe there are 20 good ones to tell. So, let’s do it.
19 Comments on this post
Trackbacks
-
James Whatley said:
As someone who commented on that original iPhone App/PR Astro-turfing story, I have to say fair play to you for this post.
I rarely comment on things like this, but the story you mentioned above is *terrible* and – you’re right, thank heavens – is not representative of the PR industry as a whole at all.
The best PR is the stuff you don’t notice..
Let’s see if we can bring #PRWin into the Twittersphere sometime soon eh?
August 22nd, 2009 at 12:33 pm -
Cathy Browne said:
As an ‘old school’ PR gal who’s been around a few decades, I’m always appalled that so few careless, inept and downright dishonest PR people overshadow so may others who work long and hard in a profession they (and I) love.
True, as James points out, we often shine behind the scenes and don’t get the glory – only the satisfaction of a job done right and a happy client. But you know – at the end of the day, that’s enough for me.
Let’s all try to post #PRWinners we have known. And I’ll start with one of the smartest and most dedicated PR people I know: @PRsarahevans:-)
August 22nd, 2009 at 12:53 pm -
Lindsay M. Allen said:
How about this: Some props for a *PR pro in training*?!
@AngelaHernandez made us all look good this week when she was featured on @PeterAxtman’s “A Good Pitch” blog!
(And I’m a little biased, because I helped Angela with that project … but regardless of that fact, it’s nice to see a student have that kind of success on her first pitch attempt — and to see that people like Peter Axtman are out there recognizing GOOD pitch work!)
August 22nd, 2009 at 12:55 pm -
Natalie said:
I’m with James — I think the best PR stints are the one where the client gets noticed and the firm/agency/company, whatever doesn’t.
Recently my team worked hard on applying for a company award. When we won (yay) the CEO made an effort to tell all of the employees it was their award. A few people noticed how much work our team put into it — but many felt patted on the back, which is how they should feel.
August 22nd, 2009 at 1:02 pm -
Mel Webster said:
While I admire your effort, the bottom line is that one or two bad stories will always overwhelm the good in the PR industry. And, as someone who has been in the industry for 25-plus years, I have given up trying to change that. And, for the most part it really does not bother me. I worry about my agency, my performance and my clients and hope that most other agencies do the same. That said, nothing wrong with putting the spotlight on a few good PR efforts.
August 22nd, 2009 at 1:06 pm -
Judy Gombita said:
I believe one of the main “perception” problems is the *misconception* that if you work in “public relations” you automatically work for an agency or as a consultant. The truth of the matter is that the *vast majority* of individuals who work in the field work in-house at corporations, in government, for non-profits, etc., and often the individuals or departments undertake the full spectrum of public relations and strategic communication management (not just media/blogger relations). We’re probably talking somewhere in the area of 85 to 95 per cent. (My colleague, Toni Muzi Falconi, believes only three per cent of individuals in the field work for agencies.)
Generally those individuals are not being highlighted or having fingers wagged at them (online or off), unless it’s a time of crisis communications and they aren’t communicating as effectively (or these days, as fast) as various stakeholders believe they should be.
So, maybe what you want to do is to start to highlight the year-round, stellar work, being done by so many in-house staff. Better yet would be when they are “assisted” in the role by an excellent public relations agency.
August 22nd, 2009 at 1:16 pm -
Heather Whaling said:
Sarah, I love how you can take my totally random comment and spark something good out of it! More often than not, when it’s seamless, well-executed PR, readers don’t even realize all the behind-the-scenes work that happened first. But, we need to do a better job as an industry. We can’t hide behind the curtain as the profession’s reputation takes hit after hit.
I know I don’t do a good job of writing up case studies detailing client success stories. This requires a shift in mindset. But, it’s important! I can’t wait to see what positive stories people contribute. I know I’ll be on the lookout for good ones to share!
Heather (@prtini)
August 22nd, 2009 at 1:22 pm -
PRsarahevans said:
Thank you for the comment, Judy. I myself have primarily worked in the role as a communications pro for non-profit organizations and just recently set off on my own. I also think we should highlight overall industry “rights,” not just those who work for an agency. Thanks for sharing!
August 22nd, 2009 at 1:22 pm -
Justin Goldsborough said:
Agree, the PR screwups get the most press. It’s comparable to how customers rarely call a company to offer praise.
But some of the most valuable conversations/learnings I get from my PR peers are discussions about the screwups, why they’re screwups and how the situation could have been handled differently.
Those conversations make us better at our jobs on a daily basis and I think that’s a story worth telling that reflects positively on PR pros.
Thx,
Justin Goldsborough (@JGoldsborough)August 22nd, 2009 at 2:04 pm -
Kathie Taylor said:
It’s the screw-ups in ANY business that make the news.
What upsets me is when a PR professional – consultant or inhouse – makes a mistake and others seem to enjoy ripping the person apart in public and online. Luckily, there are always others that will reach out with support and advice.
I agree with Justin’s Goldsborough — the screwups and mistakes make for some of the best Lessons Learned.
kathie
August 22nd, 2009 at 3:18 pm -
Valerie Simon said:
Great way of looking at this Sarah (and Heather). I was just commenting on the Reverb incident on Rachel Kay’s blog (http://tr.im/wWuI) , and I do think that it is important that we learn from and take note of all of the “good examples” of corporate use of social media. I believe that there are plenty to look at… beyond the obvious often cited (with good reason) examples. I immediately think of the candid and helpful customer service that companies such as Comcast and Best Buy have developed, leveraging Twitter. In the banking industry, Wells Fargo remains both an early adaptor and leader of building online communities to connect with customers. You’ll find frustrated customers, along with loyal supporters leaving comments on their blogs and in their commnunities, but that’s ok. It’s real. And over time, it helps to build trust. Forrester put out a report in 2008 noting that Only 16% of online consumers who read corporate blogs say they trust them. I am optimistic that as more and more companies understand the value of doing the right thing (and there is a value) these figures will change
As you point out however, its the negative stories that get so much attention . I am concerned that unethical actions like those of Reverb will impact trust in what should be a very useful and important tool for consumer research. I’m looking forward to following these comments and learning more about some of the organizations, big and small, that we can look to as positive examples.
Thanks to Lindsay for the sharing @AngelaHernandez story featured on @PeterAxtman’s “A Good Pitch” blog! http://bit.ly/ND5AU
August 23rd, 2009 at 12:53 pm -
Jeremy Toeman said:
actually when it’s being done “right”, nobody needs to get called out for it… IMHO the “best” aren’t concerned about getting credit by anyone other than the client they are doing the work for…
August 23rd, 2009 at 2:00 pm -
April Green said:
So glad to see this post! As public affairs consultant, I watch lots of professionals in my industry use public critiques of bad tactics and major gaffes as a way to build their street cred.
I get tired of reading it so I as a matter of personal policy – I won’t broadcast other organizations’ poor communications or flawed public affairs strategy (there are rare exceptions). I use my megaphone to promote what’s been effective, what works , what IS ethical.
Part of what I sell my clients (most of whom are tied to politics in some way) is the ability communicate their message positively – in a field that loves to communicate in the negative.
I want to practice what I preach by communicating MY message in the same way. So I try to steer clear of public humiliation.
August 24th, 2009 at 1:33 pm -
Cartoon Bears said:
How does a person, w/ a college degree in communications, retail management catch a break in the PR field?
September 7th, 2009 at 9:43 am -
Generic Online said:
I must agree with Justin’s Goldsborough — the screwups and mistakes make for some of the best Lessons Learned.
November 5th, 2009 at 5:41 pm -
printing said:
Ive tried very hard to earn my degree and I am not getting that break to prove myself in the PR/ media relations field, even though I know I have to start at an entry level position.
January 4th, 2010 at 9:33 am
[...] Catch PR people doing something RIGHT! prsarahevans.com/2009/08/catch-pr-people-doing-something-right – view page – cached When someone in the public relations (PR) industry screws up, we all hear about it. Today is no different. Techcrunch published a post about a PR firm who hires people to pose as real customers of iPhone apps and generate positive comments. I’d like to believe the good pros out there know this is NOT the way to do business. — From the page [...]
[...] Since several stories of bad Public Relations surfaced this past week, Sarah Evans sent a call out to catch PR folks in the act of doing what’s right. Kudos to [...]
[...] work that is done by professionals every day…across all professions! Sarah Evans wrote a post encouraging people to comment about positive PR work that they witness throughout their careers. [...]