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Bigger may be better when it comes to our favorite food, a backyard for the kids, a hotel room, or when stocking up on paper towels, but it doesn’t always apply to PR and communications agencies. Over the last decade, I have worked at two Fortune 500 companies in the energy and consumer packaged goods sectors in several corporate communications and PR roles. During that time, I partnered with numerous communications and PR agencies of varying sizes, and I experienced firsthand that bigger isn’t always better when working to generate long-term impact. In my latest for the Pierce Public Relations blog, I share five reasons why large companies should consider hiring specialized, boutique PR and communications agencies that prioritize quality and expertise over scale.

How does a company decide it's time to hire a PR manager? 'Nice to meet you, I've never heard of you!' Probably, any CEO who dreams of getting new clients and occupying a confident niche in the market does not really want to hear such a phrase at a business event or conference. If you have never had a PR specialist / brand manager / press secretary on your staff, then in order to avoid that very offensive phrase, get ready to open a new vacancy. But first, let's figure out if there is a need for this. So, it makes sense to think about hiring a PR manager for companies that: ➖ You are just starting your journey, and in principle no one knows about you yet. But if the goal of opening a company is to do it loudly, then a PR specialist will definitely offer options for developing your popularity (But remember, there is no magic pill. PR is a long-term job). ➖ You have been on the market for a long time, but no one knows about you in business circles either. Perhaps you do not pay due attention to profile events, do not run social networks and do not promote the site. A good PR manager will conduct an analysis and help you find points of growth in increasing awareness. ➖ You are planning to bring a new product or service to the market. With a high probability (even 100%), you will enter a niche in which there have been leaders for a long time. Competent training will play a key role here. And not even the preparation of a product /service, but the preparation of your audience for a new service. ➖ You are looking for new partners/investors. And for any partner and investor, your reputation and tone of voice in the media space will be important. Most likely, the first thing a potential investor will do is simply Google the name of your company, and his decision may be influenced by what he reads about you on the first pages of Google. Therefore, entrust the care of your image and expertise to a professional. At the same time, if you have made a firm decision to enter the field of public relations, with all the need and desire to entrust this work to a specialist, for maximum results you also need to be ready to get involved in the processes (at least partially, but ideally often). ➖ allocate a budget for PR campaigns ➖ share expert opinions and attend image events ➖ spend time communicating with a PR specialist, listen and discuss strategies ➖ do not hope for results here and now. Of course, a good PR manager can select less expensive options for the promotion of the company, and perhaps offer ideas with the cherished word 'for free', and you will be able to make a one-time bright event which will thunder in the media space. But all these stories are one-time and random. For the long-term perspective, be prepared for a comprehensive and painstaking approach. #pr #publicrelation #brandmanagement

Corporate comms or PR agencies? I’ve had the pleasure of being on either side of the profession, and can tell you that with certainty that both sides have their unique advantages. An agency environment provides the thrill of working across multiple sectors and building foundations with media relations spanning those sectors. On the other hand, a corporate communication role allows you to directly influence and shape the narrative of your business, provided your function is strategic and reports directly to the CXO. The occasional thrill of a multi-agency pitch experienced only in an agency environment is unforgettable. The creative brainstorms, consumer insights, stakeholder research, media perspectives, and invaluable outsider input all contribute to unique experiences. Yet, only an insider can accurately define the business problem at hand. I’ve been in situations where I've hired a PR agency to convey a message to my CEO, after all, it sounds better and more believable coming from an external consultant. But most importantly, its really all about partnership. The agency and the client have similar goals, so aligning individual KPIs with those of extended teams, including PR partners/agencies, is crucial. When your team does good work, you automatically look great! Share credit with them for cracking the stories that matter and openly discuss joint victories. Treat them as extended teams. And to my agency colleagues, understanding what makes your client sleep better at night and look good in front of their bosses will help solid partnerships for mutual success. What does my network think? #pragency #corpcomms #twentyyearsinpr #pr #comms

We are constantly asked in the business development process if it is "better" to hire an internal PR specialist or working with an external agency - especially if budgets are limited. While there is nuance and pros and cons to both, we believe with an agency partner, you are getting a multi-level, experience rich team with a collective network that is invaluable. #prteam #publicrelations #publicrelationsagency #prteam #communications #femalefounders

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - Varied, strategic communications consultancy - to £75k This role and consultancy are something special and are looking for an equally unique person to join their outstanding team. Definitely more in the communications consultancy than PR agency vibe, this small, independent company offer a range of niche yet somehow also diverse services to a mixture of clients. Yes they do some more "traditional" PR and social content work for some lovely consumer brands. However, even this work has insight and cultural relevance at the heart of it. More broadly they do a lot of work with organisations auditing and re defining their comms strategies so really understanding the values, objectives and commercial goals of an organisation. They also do a lot of inclusive communications for large, global companies, advising them on supporting and communicating to minority groups and more purposeful work in general. What all their work has in common is it is meaningful, impactful and on point. The inspirational founder is looking for their no2 to help them build and grow this unique business. Whilst you will be a fantastic all round communications expert there are a few, specific essentials needed for this role. The role is 40% new business, so whilst we don't want a pure new biz person, you do need to love the hustle of spotting an opportunity and grasping it. This is not just someone who can pull together a nice deck (although that is always great), it is someone who has the mindset and aptitude to plan where they see commercial growth and build their network to make that happen. In addition the business is looking to grow more across the health, wellbeing and health tech space. This is more in the b2c side or the b2b2c aspect as opposed to big pharma etc. As a result you must have a passion for this sector, be on top of the next big thing or interesting apps that could become amazing clients, and generally want to build a business area around this. If you have all this and are an Associate Director (or possibly very strong SAD stepping up) in a PR agency or communications consultancy environment an would love to be part of something genuinely different and exciting this could just be for you. Ideally you will have experience in, or exposure to working in a start up environment or start up clients. The small team all have tonnes of responsibility and ownership and being small and independent means you have a lot of influence on client work and the direction of the business as a whole. They are intelligent, curious and collaborative people and people who bring fresh experience, ideas and ways of working (as well as different personal interests) tend to thrive here. There are some lovely benefits on offer (and they don't have a one size fits all approach) and they currently do three days in a lovely shared West London office space. For more info get in touch here or email kate@untappedrecruitment.com.

Is your company actively executing on a public relations (PR) strategy? Do you outsource to an agency or keep it in house? Either way, many companies may be reluctant to invest into PR because they are either doubtful about the return, fear losing control of messaging, or have negative past experiences. However, the overall benefits of PR outweigh these concerns. A dedicated PR team helps companies build authentic connections with their target audiences, adding to their credibility. This is important as more than 80 percent of consumers say they need to trust a brand before they make a purchase. In this post, we discuss the five most common reasons companies don’t take advantage of this crucial tool and deconstruct them with compelling arguments to counter the misconceptions. Learn why hiring PR is always the winning move: https://bit.ly/4i6KRZR #1903PR #publicrelations #techpr #mediarelations

Public Relations (PR) and Publicity are terms that are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings: Public Relations (PR): PR is a broader, long-term strategy focused on managing a company or individual's image and reputation. It involves building and maintaining relationships with the public, media, employees, and other stakeholders. PR activities can include media relations, crisis management, community engagement, corporate communication, and internal communications. The goal is to create a positive perception over time and to foster trust and goodwill. Publicity: Publicity is a tool used in PR that is specifically directed at gaining public visibility or awareness through media coverage. It is typically short-term. Publicity often involves news stories, press releases, interviews, or events that get attention in the media. The main goal is to attract attention to a specific event, person, or product. In essence, PR is the strategic process of building a favourable reputation, while publicity is one tool or result within that broader strategy. At Cedo Mgbomo, we ensure that your brand is perceived positively, and we also ensure that more people know you through strategic well-tailored publicity campaigns.

November Trends in Communications and Public Relations (PR) Our Communications team delves into the data to show what is trending #PR #InvestorRelations #Communictions #SouthAfrica #JSE https://lnkd.in/drnbvPqj

I see so many entry-level professionals entering and exiting the PR industry in just a few months and choosing a new career path altogether. This usually happens as soon as the reality hits. The fallacy that PR is easy and all glitz and glamour – where you only need to work a few hours while managing events, award ceremonies, and campaigns – quickly fades as the pressures of this demanding role kicks in. There’s a reason it’s said, “PR is not everyone’s cup of tea”. Despite it all, if you want to survive in PR, here are some tips that might help you: • Be okay working under tight deadlines • Treat your to-do list like your companion • Don’t take the word “no” too personally  • Be willing to build strong, authentic relations with the media   • Develop content skills – put your creative hat on • Be aware and curious at all times – keep ignorance at bay • Find your voice; being shy is not the way to get ahead in PR Last but an important one, get comfortable being uncomfortable. This way, you will learn to adapt and deal with the unknowns. #PR #PublicRelations #PRIndustry #Communication #Media