Comments on: 2009 – Get Flexible! http://www.emilytully.com/online-pr/2009-get-flexible/ The Online PR blog of Emily Tully Mon, 05 Sep 2011 11:28:56 +0000 hourly 1 By: Emily http://www.emilytully.com/online-pr/2009-get-flexible/comment-page-1/#comment-8 Emily Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:11:56 +0000 http://emilytully.com/et/?p=66#comment-8 I was just reminded of a recent press launch for a tech company. The launch was attended by 'fillers' mostly, not those who would actually benefit the company's bottom-line. No media turned up. The PR bill for the 1 hour launch came to €6,000! I was just reminded of a recent press launch for a tech company. The launch was attended by ‘fillers’ mostly, not those who would actually benefit the company’s bottom-line. No media turned up. The PR bill for the 1 hour launch came to €6,000!

]]> By: Emily http://www.emilytully.com/online-pr/2009-get-flexible/comment-page-1/#comment-6 Emily Fri, 02 Jan 2009 23:46:46 +0000 http://emilytully.com/et/?p=66#comment-6 Hi Barry, Some really valid points there and its great to get the perspective from 'the other side'! Cheers, Emily Hi Barry,

Some really valid points there and its great to get the perspective from ‘the other side’!
Cheers,
Emily

]]> By: Barry http://www.emilytully.com/online-pr/2009-get-flexible/comment-page-1/#comment-5 Barry Fri, 02 Jan 2009 19:10:13 +0000 http://emilytully.com/et/?p=66#comment-5 Hi Emily, A thought provoking article with some valid points, although I'm not sure that I'd be agreeable with all that's said. OK, 120bucks for a junior isn't realistic in ANY economy in my opinion. Some of the releases we receive at http://IrishDev.com would be testimony to that belief. However, there's a lot of very capable PR companies who are worth every cent of their retainers. Given the close relationship that is needed between agency and company, I don't believe it'd be viable for a agency to perform to its utmost ability in any other way. I think those organisations who are not prepared to pay retainers will eventually find themselves not getting the scope of services that perhaps they've become accustomed to. I think that if a company is not happy with the service it receives (and undoubtedly there will be many) then they should familiarise themselves with the PR industry, and then bring their agency to task (or get a new one!) Ellen Gunnings 'Public Relations - a practical approach' would be a good place to start. I do agree however that there is DEFINITELY a space for smaller PR agencies to offer a 'scaled down' or 'more flexible' service which would be significantly more accessible to SME's and small owner-led businesses. But again, I don't think any company is going to get long term value from their PR/MR unless they work closely with their selected agency, and this means paying a 'retainer' of some description - remember, retainers tie the agency to the company too! At IrishDev.com, we'd like to see many more companies participate in the PR part of marketing - it's essential. Best wishes in your new venture :-) Barry Hi Emily,
A thought provoking article with some valid points, although I’m not sure that I’d be agreeable with all that’s said.

OK, 120bucks for a junior isn’t realistic in ANY economy in my opinion. Some of the releases we receive at http://IrishDev.com would be testimony to that belief.

However, there’s a lot of very capable PR companies who are worth every cent of their retainers. Given the close relationship that is needed between agency and company, I don’t believe it’d be viable for a agency to perform to its utmost ability in any other way. I think those organisations who are not prepared to pay retainers will eventually find themselves not getting the scope of services that perhaps they’ve become accustomed to.

I think that if a company is not happy with the service it receives (and undoubtedly there will be many) then they should familiarise themselves with the PR industry, and then bring their agency to task (or get a new one!) Ellen Gunnings ‘Public Relations – a practical approach’ would be a good place to start.

I do agree however that there is DEFINITELY a space for smaller PR agencies to offer a ‘scaled down’ or ‘more flexible’ service which would be significantly more accessible to SME’s and small owner-led businesses. But again, I don’t think any company is going to get long term value from their PR/MR unless they work closely with their selected agency, and this means paying a ‘retainer’ of some description – remember, retainers tie the agency to the company too!

At IrishDev.com, we’d like to see many more companies participate in the PR part of marketing – it’s essential.

Best wishes in your new venture :-)
Barry

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