Baffled is the word I’ll use to describe how I felt after having a conversation recently with a public relations rep. I was baffled because this putative public relations professional had no clue what he was talking about. And I was baffled because I could not figure out how or why a company would hire such a person. Think you know everything about your company? (Read more…)

In my career as a journalist, I’ve dealt with hundreds, possibly thousands, of people who work in the  public relations industry in one capacity or another. Unfortunately, not many of those public relations professionals stick out in my mind. There is one PR rep who I’ve had the pleasure to know for the past few years, engaging in regular and long discussions about public relations, the media, and other issues of interest to PR Fuel readers. (Read more…)

These days it seems like everyone I know in the public relations game is looking for a new job. If nothing else, the sheer amount of people I know looking for a change in the public relations industry–I honestly believe that about 50 percent of the PR reps I know are looking to change employers–signals that PR vets and newbies alike are feeling less secure about their actual responsibilities as the definition of “public relations” continues to evolve. (Read more…)

The following is a look at one week in the life of an ex-journalist–i.e., me–and the public relations headaches and hurdles I had to deal with. There may be some happy stories in there as well. Think of this a little look behind the scenes for public relations professionals wondering how their work truly impacts those writers and reporters they spend their workweek wooing. (Read more…)

Promotions are a great a way for companies to jump-start sales, raise brand awareness, and reward and retain customers. The marketing department typically comes up with the ideas, and then public relations department are charged with helping promote them. (Read more…)

There were five of us: three reporters, a Wall Street equity analyst, and me. We sat in the conference room chatting and drinking coffee. Mostly, we waited. (Read more…)

PR is an intense and difficult job that can be rewarding and disappointing. It can be exciting, and mind-numbingly boring. PR, more often than not, is misunderstood by people outside of the industry. (Read more…)

Every time I turn on the news or flip to a website, I seem to find yet another PR problem unfolding. Luckily, I find lessons and possible solutions in most situations. (Read more…)

Did you hear the news? Friday is Public Relations Appreciation Day — in Tucson, Arizona.

Mayor Bob Walkup made the declaration earlier this week to help celebrate a conference being held in The Old Pueblo by The Public Relations Society of America’s Western District. (Read more…)

The business world was shocked on Monday when it was announced that McDonald’s Chairman and CEO Jim Cantalupo had died of an apparent heart attack. (Read more…)