Brian Morrissey, Adweek’s digital editor, gives PR folks some great insights through his tweets (posts on Twitter.com). I thought it would be interesting to post a few of his tweets — and comment — on them here. What might surprise many, including Brian, is that I agree with his comments (for the most part!).Recent tweets from Brian:
“Why would a company announce something — a new department, whatever — when the exec who can talk about it is on vacation? I find that odd.”
Honestly, Brian, you should find it more than odd. You should find it annoying, and even sloppy. While emergencies come up from time to time, too many PR people forget about little things like this. Problem is, they’re not little things. Most journalists won’t print quotes from a press release (they’re there for Google, Yahoo, etc.) so those that can comment need to be available. You’ve even noted just how bad you think press release quotes are. If something happens to the key spokesperson, a replacement needs to be found, just in case. That’s blocking and tackling PR.
“Surprises me how many times I’m asked to ’send the quotes you want to use’ by companies. Do some reporters actually do that?“
None that I’ve worked with! And, I can’t imagine asking. PR people should make themselves available in case there’s a question on a quote, but asking to see the quotes is like asking to approve copy in advance. Doesn’t happen. Shouldn’t ask.
“Agency told me of project that helped win client x, then begged me not to include. Scared of a busybody client PR. No dice. tough love.”
OK, Brian, you probably just cost someone their job. Well, really, it’s their fault. Things you learn first day on the job in PR: here’s your desk, here’s the restroom, don’t say anything to a reporter that you don’t want them to publish/broadcast. Seriously.
“I’m so glad i don’t have clients. Agencies seem petrified by theirs. I feel embarrassed for them sometimes.“
Any illusion of fear is simply bad management of the client/agency relationship. Agencies should not be in fear of their clients. We should respect them and give them great PR counsel and get respect in return. Sometimes that counsel is “don’t do that” or “that’s not a strong story to pitch to that publication.” If the client won’t accept the counsel, the relationship should be reconsidered. To simply pitch from fear is wrong. If the PR person doesn’t believe in the story, they shouldn’t be pitching it. Period.
Keep the comments coming, Brian. At least some of us are listening. I do, however, reserve the right to either explain or disagree if I ever think you’re off base, and I’d look forward to the dialog.
Full disclosure: I’m not pitching anything to Brian right now, so I’m not just sucking up!
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3 responses so far ↓
1 Robynn Burls // Mar 27, 2008 at 12:52 am
Great post. I’m amazed that a PR company would announce something and then not have anyone to answer questions on that announcement. Although, I’ve certainly heard of stranger things happening!
These thoughtless mistakes are often caused by too many deadlines on too many client accounts, with junior staff left to do too much of the important work. Things get really messy.
But it’s not the agencies that are petrified of their clients, it’s more likely the junior and mid-level PR agency employees that are petrified by the unrealistic work loads expected by their bosses and clients. I’ve created a media database company in South Africa and many of my PR clients are under such enormous pressure by their corporate clients. Mostly because of unrealistic client expectations. Of course, it’s the PR companies fault for not being more assertive and educating their clients on how media relations really works.
2 Brian Morrissey // Mar 28, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Thanks for the post. I won’t cost anyone their job. I’ve found lots of times agencies and their PR people overreact to small things. I was referring to ad agencies, which nowadays all seem in perpetual fear of getting fired. I don’t know about PR firms.
Anyway, thanks for reading. Don’t take my Twitter outrage too seriously.
3 Doyle Albee // Mar 28, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Thanks, Brian, and I enjoy your Twitter outrage a great deal. You should see me go off on the airline industry every time I fly! Thanks for the comment!
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