Why PR doesn’t work
Guy Kawasaki, citing Margie Zable Fisher’s theprsite.com, has a good top ten list of Why PR doesn’t work. (Actually, it’s pretty pro-PR but explains the reasons in terms of poor relationship management.)
I think there are times when PR won’t work, even if the the client and the PR firm are communicating well. There are also times when PR doesn’t work because, frankly, the PR industry is inefficient, cynical and expensive. Worst of all, PR companies - whose job is communication - often do a really, really bad job of communicating.
Here are some examples.
- Failure to use blogs and other new media. See: Boeing vs. Airbus.
- Dreadful press releases. See: Press releases for human beings and The worst press release ever.
- Abuse of surveys.
- Treating bloggers like conventional journalists (i.e. not very well and without understanding the medium)
- Not understanding what a story is.
- Lying outrageously. See: the top ten lies of PR companies.
- Abusing case studies. See: the fall and rise of the case study.
Despite the tone of these comments, I’m not against PR firms per se. In fact, I collaborate with several good ones. But I do feel that there needs to be some kind of fundamental change in the way they function. I think writing has something to do with it. But then, I would, wouldn’t I.
Technorati Tags: PR, Guy Kawasaki
Margie Zable Fisher wrote:
Hi Matthew,
I found your blog because you mentioned me in this blog entry. Your blog is hilarious!
It’s funny that the London PR scene is similar to the U.S.
Cheers!
Margie
Posted on 25-May-07 at 10:41 am | Permalink
Matthew Stibbe wrote:
Thanks for visiting - I think PRs are the same everywhere!
Matthew
Posted on 25-May-07 at 10:56 am | Permalink
10,000 Marshmallows Daily Links 2007-05-25 - 10,000 Marshmallows - Marketing Accountability: How to eat 10,000 Marshmallows wrote:
[...] Bad Language: Why PR doesn’t work “I think there are times when PR won’t work, even if the the client and the PR firm are communicating well. There are also times when PR doesn’t work because, frankly, the PR industry is inefficient, cynical and expensive. Worst of all, PR companies - whose job is communication - often do a really, really bad job of communicating.” [...]
Posted on 25-May-07 at 3:48 pm | Permalink
Everything is average nowadays... « Heather Yaxley - Greenbanana views of public relations and more wrote:
[...] Kaiser Chiefs correct? Does this criticism apply equally to public relations? Is Matthew Stibbe right to feel “PR doesn’t work” and needs a fundamental [...]
Posted on 25-May-07 at 5:53 pm | Permalink
Jacob Skir wrote:
Great analysis.
Posted on 28-May-07 at 12:14 pm | Permalink
Susan Gunelius wrote:
I read your link in Guy Kawalski’s blog and wanted to let you know that I love your real world examples of public relations pitfalls. It really puts things into perspective, and I mentioned your post on my blog (www.MarketingBlurb.com).
Posted on 28-May-07 at 4:47 pm | Permalink
PR2.0 wrote:
Why PR Doesn’t Work and How to Fix It…
Ask anyone what’s wrong with PR and you’ll unintentionally draft a manifesto
that consists of radically varied top 10 lists. The answers will
collectively form the foundation for revolution in the communications
business.
Rather than highlight…
Posted on 29-May-07 at 7:12 pm | Permalink
Buzzards Circle Over the PR Industry - 10,000 Marshmallows - Marketing Accountability: How to eat 10,000 Marshmallows wrote:
[...] Why PR doesn’t work - “There are also times when PR doesn’t work because, frankly, the PR industry is inefficient, cynical and expensive. Worst of all, PR companies - whose job is communication - often do a really, really bad job of communicating.” [...]
Posted on 30-May-07 at 12:18 am | Permalink