So, in an effort to learn more about the perceptions of PR from the media’s P.O.V., the “Meet The Press” section of my blog will turn-the-tables, giving the media an opportunity to be the ones in the spotlight. Today, I sat down with my best friend and staffer at a “leading national financial magazine” (which shall remain nameless in an attempt to avoid any heat from H.R.): Miss Erin Gell.

AC: So Erin, you just finished wrapping up the big issue of the magazine that has been keeping you really busy, and missing in my life, all summer. Tell us a little bit about it?
EG: Well, it’s been a looong summer of researching, writing, and phone calls, but also a tremendous learning experience about financial journalism and a crash course in investigative reporting. I feel like I’m a better journalist because of it.

AC: And what has your experience with PR people, AKA “my kind,” been like on the job?
EG: I think in some previous journalism jobs – when I was working more on very urgent news-heavy pieces – we generally thought of PR people as just a link to the source. They were the middle-men that got us soundbites from whichever expert we happened to need a comment from that day. But I got a different look at the process this summer, because we had a lot more time to research things and really grill these publicists for information. Many of the people we profile don’t actually want to talk to us, so our work was very dependent on PR people (or flacks as we “hacks” are known to say – sorry!)

When our PR contacts were nice and cooperative, I know I personally was much more inclined to listen to what they said. After hitting brick walls all day, when someone tells you everything you want to know, you’re definitely apt to give them the benefit of the doubt and believe what they tell you in regards to their clients. And obviously, it’s all going to be true, it just might be coming from a different perspective than we need to portray. Basically, anytime any of us walked into my boss’s office and launched into a spiel about how great/rich/interesting a certain source was, he’d accuse us of “drinking the kool-aid” (i.e. believing everything the publicist told us without a proper dose of skepticism). See, we get punished for not being cynical enough! It’s not that we don’t trust you guys, but we all have our own agendas, and if we’re good reporters we need to realize that our agenda and your agenda won’t always line up. The worst thing for a journalist is to be perceived as not being objective. We hear it all the time from politicians accusing the press of being “too liberal,” etc. but it holds for any kind of story. Unfortunately it makes both our our jobs harder, but it’s so important to be well-rounded. Just know that, although we’re annoying sometimes, it’s all in the interest of non-partisan objectivity and fairness!

AC: Ha! That is hilarious, “drinking the kool-aid,” I need to use that! OK, so obviously, both sides of the table are a necessary evil. What do you love AND hate about PR, and how do you think we can work together to serve each others’ purposes?
EG: PR people can be amazingly helpful or horribly rude. The best ones know how to work both sides and be pleasant, while of course still guarding their clients interests. I think publicists who are just honest are the best ones to deal with, actually. Even if they have no comment, when they get back to me in a timely manner and are cordial, it’s really appreciated. I’ve had more than my share of PR people hang up on me, or worse just never return multiple phone calls and messages when they know we’re on deadline. I’m much more likely to think of someone in a positive light if their publicist is nice, whether or not they can actually give any information. Luckily, there are a lot more good ones out there than bad!

AC: Again, who are these people out there that are giving us a bad rap!? They need to be outed and blacklisted! It’s so unfair. So what’s next for you at the magazine? Are you on the prowl for any particular information or story topics?
EG: We’re always on the prowl over here. Business and finance really affect so many aspects of life, as evidenced by the banking crisis of the past week or so, and I think there are always interesting characters or industries that people would love to read about. I’m on the lookout for those.

AC: OK, Erin, now its time for the getting-to-know-you LIGHTENING ROUND:

1. If you had to eat the same thing every day for lunch, what would it be? Bread & cheese
2. What’s your favorite time of day? Morning actually, when you’re drinking that first cup of coffee and the whole day is ahead of you.
3. You can have backstage access to the concert of your choice. What is it? U2
4. What book is sitting on your shelf, waiting to be read? The Ancestor’s Tale by Richard Dawkins
5. Would You Rather: Have your cell phone ring set to “Taser” or “Airhorn”? Eek, I have such an old school phone – I don’t even know what this means!
6. Cats or Dogs? Ahh, so tough. Dogs, today.
7. You can have lunch with any two people, living or dead, pick them? Barack Obama and David Wright. Heh.
8. If a memoir was written about your life, what would it be called? “Gellin’ Like a Felon”

AC: Final weigh-in, PR: yay or nay?
EG: Well, naturally “yay!” Not only is PR essential for both clients and the press, but it can lead to some great business relationships. There are some people we try to get a hold of who have no PR team at all, and that’s truly the hardest situation. When there are PR people involved, it’s very clear that there’s plan and that makes for the most accurate news possible for both sides.

###

So, there you have it. An inside look at some of the many dynamics that go on between the media and the publicists on a daily basis. It’s quite the love/hate relationship. It’s all about being the anti-PR, PR person. What Erin has to say is SO true, you litterly shock the media when you are super upfront & honest, nice & accommodating, understanding and thorough. The reporters don’t know what to do with themselves! Kill ‘em with kindness, that’s what I always say. Now, go forth, and publicize!

*ItsAllVeryPR.com Blogger, Alyson Campbell w/ Journalist, Erin Gell.

(Alyson Campbell for Its All Very PR)

Tags: Alyson Campbell, amp3, AMP3 pr, AMP3 Public Relations, It's All Very PR

This entry was posted on Monday, September 22nd, 2008 at 3:35 pm and is filed under meet the press. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.