After hearing this comment made by a friend yesterday evening, I felt compelled to write a blog in defence of PR professionals everywhere. On writing his own “press release” for use on his company’s website, he remarked how easy this PR lark was and that he was thinking of changing careers. This reaffirmed my belief that the majority of people outside of our industry really don’t know what PR involves.

The default perception for many is that we write press releases and adverts, attend parties and go out for lunch all the time. On the contrary, I can’t remember the last time I attended a swanky event or brushed shoulders with a celebrity. I can however comment on traipsing around an exhibition hall at Olympia for six hours trying to collar journalists who do their best to hide, or pitching a story into Computer Weekly along with hundreds of other PRs, all hoping to get their client’s name in print. PR is not just about churning out news and spamming the entire journalist community, but requires a high degree of knowledge about our clients’ businesses, in order to position them in the correct media and build strong journalist relationships. Working with SMEs and companies just starting their first foray into technology PR requires us to be proactive and creative, as well as deal with the expectations of coverage on the front cover of the FT!

I could go on but I think you get the idea. Meanwhile, my champagne’s going flat and I’m running late for a party. Ciao xxx

Kate Bartholomew