Public Relations Prospects: Operations & Client Handling Part 1

By Erica Wenham, Wednesday 17 April 2013.

Public Relations Practice & Skillset (Week 24)


What is a PR Consultancy?
  • A professional practice giving expertadvice in a particular field

-          Either horizontal (i.e. Generalist)
-          Or vertical specialist (e.g. B2C, tech, investor).
  • The provision of specified technical and creative services... By way of professional fees paid for by clients under contract
  • Professional services firms such as management and PR consultancies offer services directed at the solution of client problems...

Why do Clients hire PR Consultancies/Agencies?


The PR Process

Creating Relationships

So...The creation of value for organisations through the application of: Knowledge, Techniques and Assets in order to help improve performance. More added value when creating effective relationships between the agency/client is to do with impression management and convincing managers that they need consultants that are familiar with the latest know-how.

Performance Isn’t Enough:


This double-focus makes the client handling role critical to consultancy success or failure.

Account Handling
All staff need business advisory skills and to become much more savvy about a bigger business picture so that they can take PR into the boardroom and be part of the dominant coalition.
Full-service:
  • Media relations
  • Product marketing
  • Copywriting
  • Press office
  • Online/digital comms
  • Media/presentation training
  • Sponsorship
  • Conference/event management
  • Research/evaluation
  • Corporate identity etc.
  • Strategic planning
Is In-House PR Different?

All PR folk are really consultants. The approach is similar:
-          An issue or situation is analysed
-          A desired outcome interpreted into quantifiable objectives
-          Critical audiences identified
-          Messages translated to strategy
-          Action plan developed/implemented
-          Results evaluated









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