What’s 2009 Got in Store for Public Relations?
January 2, 2009 by ShannonCherry
Filed under Marketing
Happy new year everyone.
The other day on my free PR teleclass, someone asked me what my crystal ball had to reveal for the PR and publicity field in 2009. I thought you’d like to read my predictions:
It’s an exciting time in public relations, as the landscape will surely be evolving and changing.
And the one thing that’s going to impact publicists and public relations professionals is how more consumers (people in our target markets) will be interacting and shaping what we do. With instant responses via social media, PR folks can monitor and see reactions quickly – and if they are smart, will be able to capitalize on those quick responses.
I also think that as media outlets are making cuts in staff and services like the Associated Press, public relations staff will need to help fill the void by providing great service to journalists. That means targeted newsworthy stories that help reporters do their jobs more easily.
That also means it’s back to basics when working with the media. No longer can PR firms hide behind bulk email blasts and hope that something – anything- sticks. Those that got this lazy will have to play catch up to those publicists who worked on building relationships, not spamming.
PR firms are going to have to stop with the one-size-fits-all approach. Companies’ shrinking budgets will mean that those public relations agencies chosen to do work will have to really customize to keep their clients happy. It also means publicity experts will have to think outside the box and get more creative than ever before.
What do you think? Do you have a PR prediction to share?
Image credit: Shaun_Sheep, on Flickr
Happy New Year, Shannon!
I invite your comments on this post. Could you imagine PR with less common sense:
http://www.franchisepick.com/franchisee-from-hell-awards-luke-benjamin-pizza-time/
Some people should just stay off camera, don’t you think?
I predict we will see a lean on PR for companies to get their messages out in these lean economic times. As budgets get cut, I agree PR people will have to be even more customer service oriented for the media. They will also have to get creative in their messaging because the competition for coverage could be elevated.
I think you’ll see some of the best PR efforts in 2009 because PR professionals are being forced to think. As the post states, bulk e-mail no longer works. Ascustomers cut PR and ad budgets, PR professionals are going to have to be more creative. Think outside the box. Show your value. It will be fun to see what everyone comes up with.