“It is better to be alone than in bad company” - George Washington

So Saturday 27 July was PR National Awareness Day but (yes, you’d be right to sense some irony here) who knew? At least the 127 people who liked its dedicated Facebook page did. 

The other person who knew about our industry’s dedicated day was Benjamin Webb, Managing Director of his own PR agency, who had a (fairly) interesting bylined article in the BBC’s online magazine. Now that’s quite a coup, and I’ll happily put my hand up and admit I’m quite jealous, if that was me I’d consider that a high-point in my career (just me? I don’t think so).

Anyway, my point is that PR National Awareness Day is surely about enhancing the industry’s reputation. Great. Then why must ‘people’ always mention Ab Fab Edina or Malcolm Tucker? Yes I know it’s funny and yes I know most PR professionals will have encountered every type of PR person along the sliding scale between our two most infamous ‘ambassadors’, but surely by their very name-check PR’s reputation continues to be self-perpetuating?

But does it really matter? It’s an interesting debate.

As PR professionals, we can’t all be thrown into the same boat. There are different types of PR and we use many different tactics to engage with a range of media types to enhance the reputation of our clients. That’s what we do.

In his BBC article (yep still jealous), Mr Webb used his piece about the challenges of managing the industry’s reputation to suggest that the writing is on the wall for the traditional consumer-focused public relations model, saying: “The deluge of badly-written press releases, silly events and photo stunts, "news stories" without news value, and meaningless "campaigns" have come to irk journalists and bore an increasingly cynical general public.”

I disagree. Using traditional tactics is not what earns us a bad reputation, it’s using the wrong tactics for the wrong media and reaching the wrong audience that earns PR a bad reputation.

Therefore, I believe enhancing the industry’s reputation can only come from the credible work we do, using the right tools for the job of growing client reputations. Surely it boils down to good old-fashioned hard work and know-how?

Rachel Meagher

Account Director 

By George that's good PR!

The world waited with bated breath.  International media were ensconced outside St Mary’s hospital for several weeks; people camped outside for days, all waiting for George.

And then, finally, on Monday the future king was born, on Wednesday he was named and Sarah won our sweepstake!

Three generations of living heirs (Princes Charles, William and George) offers a reassuring stability to our monarchy, but perhaps more importantly George has unknowingly boosted the ‘Royals’ own  PR.

Events of the last century have certainly marred the Royal Family’s popularity - tragedies and scandals have dented goodwill.  But the arrival of the fairy-tale couple Kate and Will, our Prince Charming and Cinderella (well maybe not, dressed in Alexander McQueen, but she’s not of blue blood) has helped re-build the family’s image and enhance its reputation. 

It’s hard to comprehend the anticipation and pressure of George’s arrival – US Time magazine said he was ‘already a figure of international influence’ before he was born.  Fortunately for the little prince, he won’t appreciate the scale of his entry into the world until he’s much older. 

PR around the event was managed seamlessly, with a captive audience informed via the official announcement and an unexpected tweet and online release.  Then followed the marching bands, the beautiful blue-lit landmarks and the gun salutes; fitting endorsements for the joyous occasion.

This was all then topped off perfectly by scenes of the happy couple leaving the hospital with their newborn, relaxed and engaging – surely helping to revive enthusiasm for the monarchy across the globe?

You couldn't have asked for a better PR campaign.

Sam Kandiyali

Director

There’s more than one way to skin a cat

Language. We use it every day and for most of us it’s something we just take for granted. We speak and the words come out or we write a short text to a friend but without giving it a second thought. When it comes to PR though, it’s something we take a more considered approach to as effectively it’s the tool with which we ply our trade.

For me personally, I find language really interesting, particularly idioms, of which there are apparently 25,000 in the English language! This has been the topic of a few conversations in the office recently, prompted by someone saying ‘fly by the seat of your pants’ which resulted in a lot of quizzical looks from colleagues. Now I have to say these came from the under 30 contingent (sadly I don’t fall into this age category), but after using a well known search engine, we established it derives from the aviation industry in the 1930s.

Our chief executive also circulated an email she received recently from a translation company which included some amusing examples of how different cultures use idioms. For example, in English we would say to ‘rekindle an old flame’ but in Italian the literal translation is ‘to reheat cabbage’ and while we’d say ‘to be poor or broke,’ in Spanish the translation of the same is ‘cleaner than a frog’s armpit.’

On a daily basis at Target we are writing features, news releases, newsletter or web copy for clients. From topics as diverse as using specs as a fashion accessory to the use of aluminium fenestration systems to create energy efficient buildings, we have to be able to tell the ‘story’ in the most interesting and appealing way possible. This rule also applies to the spoken as well as written word, as being able to sell-in an idea to a journalist in what is often a short space of time requires a succinct and measured approach.

It’s clear that language is at the heart of our industry, so I think it’s important we maintain an interest in its origins and treat it with the respect it deserves. While we might never reach the heady heights of Shakespeare or Stoppard, we should still be able to use its intricacies to craft informative and engaging copy that people want to read. After all, that’s why we get out of bed in the morning!    

Bethan Simkins
Account Manager

Glastonbury - more than a music festival

This time last week I was lucky enough to be at Worthy Farm, standing in front of the pyramid stage watching Jake Bugg perform, and of course donning a pair of wellies.

Glastonbury is one of the world’s largest music festivals and provides the blueprint for many others, yet it still remains to be an utterly unique and individual experience. Appealing to folks from all walks of life, it sparks that one common element which unites hundreds of thousands of strangers; civic boosterism at its finest.

It’s 43 years since it all began and although this was my first time at Glastonbury, I instantly felt a real sense that at the heart of this festival’s production and delivery was honesty and compassion. It was refreshing to see no corporate flashing advertising boards for big name brands, instead displayed proudly, the logos of Greenpeace, Oxfam, Wateraid and our dear client Winston’s Wish, whom we’re proud to have worked with earlier this year.

The almost anti-corporate stance could be seen throughout the entire festival; whether it was up in the craft field making your own jewellery out of old silver cutlery in the back of a clapped out VW camper, or in The Park feasting on culinary delights from around the world freshly made in front you, or even trying out Gong Therapy for the first time in the Healing Field. The dominance of charities and independent suppliers over any commercial presence was extremely visible.

However, those few select brands who did manage to enter through the pearly gates were clever to not push their own agenda. EE provided two recharge tents, which allowed attendees to recharge their batteries (including their phones), use wifi and 4GEE at no cost. Whilst Hunter were canny to integrate its marketing campaign with a CSR opportunity, offering a wellie exchange whereby festival goers could donate their old battered wellies for a shiny new pair of Hunters. I was told by one of the rather handsome young volunteers, the old boots would be recycled and profits donated to the British Red Cross. Again, something to feel good about.

There is something very raw and true about Glastonbury. It’s the extraordinary ability of the Eavis family, sponsors, performers, charities and the Glasto revellers to create its own temporary community that makes this festival so successful – that’s music to my ears still ringing one week on.

Alexandra Underwood
Account Executive

The art of conversation

As social creatures, most of us seem to be hard-wired to share what’s in our head with others. What we think, what we know, how we feel – it’s hard to go for any great length of time without letting at least some of the cat out of the bag.

Now social media presents an infinite audience 24/7, feeding a compulsion to share (even when it would be wiser not to).

But among all this chatter, how confident are we in the art of conversation?

Are we able to listen and ask questions that allow us to discover more about others, as well as ourselves; to reveal areas of mutual interest, form new friendships and, just as important, move politely away from those with whom there’s no common ground?

Business networking events can be hideous. Stumble into a speed-selling event where everyone’s talking but no one is listening, and you’d be forgiven for never attending another networking event in your life.

Some companies perform in the same way within virtual networks too, collecting links and followers, and giving the sales spiel without the kind of ‘virtual eye contact’ that suggests they have any real interest in you, not just your wallet.

And yet, the relationships we form with people can enrich the business we do together. Earlier this week we supported our client Sapa Building System in their mission to engage with architects, by sponsoring British Architecture Now in partnership with the Architect’s Journal and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). Twitter dialogue during the #BritArchNow event was lively, creating silent conversations across a packed hall of delegates.

But it was the physical presence that was so powerful, allowing Sapa to meet, talk and share conversations with architects from some of the UK’s best practices, both at the event and in the convivial surroundings of a nearby restaurant afterwards.

Back home in Cheltenham yesterday evening, I attended a local business launch over drinks. Within less than an hour conversations ranged from care homes and the CQC, to Wimbledon, the Isle of Man TT, social media, the perils of clients poaching your staff, and whether tall women face fewer gender barriers in the workplace than short women. Oh, and a smattering of talking shop.

The best bit – aside from the canapés – is greeting people you have come to know and like simply through being part of a shared business community. So embrace your animal instincts, get social and see where the next conversation will take you.

Sarah Bryars
Chief Executive

A glimpse of PR

I have been interested in a career in marketing for the last few years, but was unsure of the specific work it entailed. So, when I was offered a week’s work experience with Target PR, I was extremely excited! To apply the skills I’ve learnt at school into a work environment, and see first-hand the ins-and-outs of a PR agency was a wonderful and enjoyable opportunity.

I am currently a Sixth Form student at Pate’s Grammar School in Cheltenham, and with no previous experience in PR, I was quite nervous at the start of the week. However, the whole team were very friendly and helpful, and I soon felt comfortable.

After a tour of the office, and an introductory talk from Sarah Bryars (CEO of Target PR), in which she clarified the role of PR in building businesses’ reputations, it was straight down to work...

From the start of the week, I was kept busy on a number of different tasks for large and well known clients such as Specsavers and ADEY. My days often started with reading newspapers to get a feel for how to write articles, as well as to check for any relevant news on clients. From logging data, to conducting research, and even sitting in on a conference call, I was continually learning about how a PR agency works from day to day.

As well as this, I was even given the opportunity to draft a number of press releases on charity events and competitions run by clients, and received feedback on each one. This was very useful in allowing me to hone my writing skills, and I could feel myself improving, and getting faster at writing releases throughout the week.

Now that I am at the end of my week with Target, I can definitely say that my time here has made me interested in pursuing a career in PR. The tasks I was given provided me with valuable experience about working in PR, while Sarah also offered me extremely helpful advice on the different routes into the industry.

Thank you to everyone at Target for providing me with this wonderful opportunity!

Roxana Mulcahy
Sixth Form student

Eventful communications

Whenever anyone asks what I do and I say I work in PR, many people immediately think of Ab Fab, attending client events every day of the week, schmoozing with other PR luvvies, air kissing and quaffing champagne. This couldn’t be further from the truth!

The reality is that much of the work I do is office based, in front of a computer or on the phone and only occasionally do we get to go out and about. However, that’s not to say that events don’t have an important role to play in the work that we do for our clients. When well planned and targeted at the right audience, they can have a real impact.

This weekend we are attending the Three Counties Show in Malvern with the Specsavers Drive Safe trailer. The aim is to educate members of the public about the importance of making sure your eyes are fit to drive. We carry out a simple vision screening test which checks distance vision and will indicate whether a full eye examination is required. It’s a simple yet effective way of aligning the Specsavers brand with this important message as well as communicating an overarching theme.

While the Specsavers event is very much aimed at consumers, we are also helping to plan an event for one of our trade clients, Sapa Building System. Experts in providing aluminium facade solutions, Sapa operates in the building and construction sector. By joining forces with The Architects' Journal to put on an event at RIBA headquarters in London, this gives Sapa the perfect platform and direct access to what is a key audience for them – architects. Employing tactics that go beyond just simply badging the event, including social media and a survey, will help give longevity and improve Sapa’s brand awareness.

In this ever advancing technological age where much of what we do is often carried our virtually, it’s nice to know there is still a place for face to face communication – just call me old fashioned!

Bethan Simkins

Account Manager