How Relevant Is PR?
How relevant is PR in the contemporary world and what sort of person does it take?
In a time of collapsing print media readerships, declining advertising revenue and waning consumer confidence, the role of public relations in the contemporary promotional mix has never been more significant.
Whereas the PR sector has undoubtedly felt the effects of the ongoing economic downturn, as an industry it has been quick to the address the new professional and social landscapes. With a ready compatibility for the increasingly influential digital media, a pre-emptive adoption of social networking trends, increasingly sophisticated experiential initiatives and a pervasive emphasis on creativity and innovation, public relations has been slowly but surely increasing its market share.
It’s not just the promotional return on investment that is attracting client attention, but the broad panoply of promotional service that effective PR can offer. From brand manipulation to targeted media messaging, crisis management to revenue stimulation, modern agencies can offer a truly holistic public relations service.
As an industry, Public Relations has traditionally attracted dynamic, confident, people-focused individuals. However the realities of modern PR best-practice has meant that the once readily-recognisable PR stereotype of Ab Fab’s Eddie’s has thankfully gone the way of the fax machine and the VHS cassette.
As the Managing Director of a growing agency, the fundamentals of what we are looking for in new PR recruits remains constant: a persuasive prose style, assured, easy conversation, the ability to think strategically and the willingness to work creatively. And yet just as important is a sense of passion. The best PR’s have a hunger and flair about them that resonates within the endlessly creative hothouse of modern PR. Whereas high-quality contacts and market awareness are certainly important assets, they are often redundant without the necessary dynamism and vision to exploit them.
At the start of a new decade, the Public Relations sector is undoubtedly coming in to its own, and there has never been a more exciting time to become a part of it.
Digby Halsby, Managing Director of Flint Public Relations
Flint Public Relations is an Arts and Culture PR agency focusing on profile-raising, brand management and revenue generation. Flint creates comprehensive print, broadcast and online publicity campaigns designed to gain maximum media coverage and stimulate sales.
We are looking for ambitious, enthusiastic, articulate and imaginative interns who take pride in their strong work-ethic and creative flair.
We offer graduates a three-month internship scheme, providing a foundation of PR knowledge and practice from which to launch a successful and rewarding career in the industry.
Based at our offices in London’s prestigious Lisson Gallery by Regents Park and Edgware Road, interns will gain experience in crafting compelling press releases, campaign management, journalist engagement, creative and lateral thinking, new business processes.
If you are interested in learning more, you can contact us at info@flint–pr.com or 0207 224 8191