Why Brands Clash with PR Agencies
Public relations is one of the most powerful ways to grow your brand and take the next step to incredible success. So why are so many brands and founders swearing off PR agencies?
If you were to ask me what is one of the most important marketing strategies a brand can do to grow sustainably and effectively, I would say public relations. Of course, I am a publicist, so I am biased - but I’ve seen the incredible impact that visibility efforts and expert branding can have on a company. However, I know that a lot of business owners and brands have struggled with PR in the past - even some going so far as to swear off working with PR agencies or consulting publicists all together.
When brand leaders are at odds with their PR agency, it is usually for one of three reasons - they don’t feel the agency “gets” their brand, they don’t know (or understand) what the agency spends their time (and money) on, and they don’t see the results they expected from the relationship. These frustrations are not always the agency’s sole responsibility, but it certainly is disheartening when you spend tens of thousands of dollars on PR and don’t get the experience you want (and deserve).
From my time at corporate agency PR, I see how these problems arise and how traditional public relations management can easily slip into sub-par practices. I created Meg Androsiglio PR because I envisioned a new kind of luxury and high-touch public relations practice, including transparent communications both with the media AND the client.
Here is where things go wrong with PR agency relationships:
Crossed wires on expected results - A brand comes to a PR group ready to grow, ready to get national attention and see their company soar. The PR team says “yes of course, we can do that!” Over the course of the next three months, small press hits trickle in from blogs or trade industry sites. The brand is unhappy. Well of course! PR is a slow burn, and it takes time to rev the engine. And if the agency hadn’t strategically planned out the media outreach and prepped the client for what to expect over the coming months, there is nothing but disappointment ahead.
Ghosting the client - Company signs with an agency, falling in love with the agency founder on the consulting calls. Once the invoice is signed, the agency founder is no where to be seen. The company rarely hears from it’s PR team other than random updates and bi-weekly calls with a press assistant. The company feels neglected, and honestly a little burned.
Lack of dedication to the brand and its growth - A brand urgently wants press around a new product or initiative that is launching. Its PR agency agrees that it can create news, but there is no fire under the work. While the brand leaders work night and day to make sure the launch is a success from a commerce perspective, it seems like the PR agency barely knows what is going on. They share a press announcement with mediocre results. Lose-lose.
Meg Androsiglio PR has built something different. This is how we approach the work with our clients:
An extension of your team - Getting deep into the nitty gritty of brands is what lights my fire, passion and creativity. It is our goal to be so ingrained in your company that you feel like we are members of your core team, not a vendor you outsourced to to get a job done. We collaborate, create and execute together. If you’re considering an investment of an in-house PR person, reconsider what you can do with a full PR team devoted to your success at the same cost (if not less).
Overcommunication and overshare - I know what it is like to excitedly sign up for a service and then hear crickets for weeks. It certainly doesn’t bring much confidence to the work being done behind the scenes. Not only do we have calls and weekly updates, which I join and draft, but also you’ll have full insight to our media outreach strategy, media targets, pitches, brand vision, creative, messaging and more. It’s almost a luxurious feeling knowing you are so well taking care of by your PR team.
Guiding you to the results that will compound and grow your brand - You’re excited about getting into the headlines, and that is fantastic. Let us guide you with our 15+ years of experience to the opportunities that are really going to move the needle for you - whether that be grab retailer attention, promote community growth, or create new client opportunities. PR can 100% support fiscal growth, so long as you are strategic and create a “compound effect” of media and visibility results - which we are!
Curious about working with PR experts that do things differently? Email us at team@megandrosigliopr.com to start a conversation about your publicity needs and how we can support you.
