Cents and Sensibility

So the debate begins with this topic: PR agency consultants should always do what the agency clients want them to do.

Ooooh.

I can hear the 'customers are always right!' phrase coming out already. But really, are they always right?

Lets put myself in the shoes of a client who pays a lot of money to a PR agency to get the job done for them. It could be a campaign to promote my brand during turbulent times and push sales, or generate awareness regarding a product launched just recently. The reason why I hired professional help instead of doing it on my own is because of the trust that the PR consultant knows best how to make this work.

So if you are in a position where you know that what the client is suggesting will not work, should you still do what my client wants you to do?

Choices, choices.

Honestly, I wouldn't. Purely based on principles and work ethics. But then again, honest people are easily deceived, and principles have no real force except when one is well-fed.

When we are in the actual situation and we're hard pressed to make a decision, we tend to forget to do what's right. And we do what's beneficial to us instead.

I believe it's a thin line to thread on. And it boils down personal discretion. Because what's wrong for me may be perfectly fine to another.

You know I have perfectly no idea what this has got to do with what went on in class. Because it definitely has got nothing to do with goals, objectives, strategy and tactics. But it's a thought process that went on that I felt brought about an awareness about the PR industry. And I think it's worth sharing. I'm looking forward to the debate - I think it's going to be an interesting presentation of ideas and ideals because theory can only justify so much. Till the next time. (:

You and me could write a bad romance...

Our lives revolve around relationships. The good, the bad, the ugly. Ones that last long, ones that don't last too long. The sweet and the not-so-sweet. And if we think hard enough about it, we realise that it really is a fragile thing, these relationships that we have.

When Tanya was talking about understanding Public Relation (PR) in class, I can't help but to think of the significance relationships play in this industry, because essentially it is about maintaining that rapport with your significant others - the media, your stake holders, the general public, the government, and whoever else that matters. It's like walking on really thin ice - they watch the contours of your mouth for a wrong word, then they gleefully pounce on you. After all, everyone loves a gossip; it brings a nice change to this routine called life, and honestly, who has the time to not make mistakes? Yet we know nothing of these parties we get involved with, but somehow they are important, at times essential and almost always frivolous.

And the media is quite a bitch, really. She's like the popular girl in school. Everyone hates her but they hang on to her every word. It's a love-hate relationship, us and the media. We love how they bring the world to our fingertips but hate the dependence that slowly manifests. And if I learnt anything useful at all, it would be to not get into Rupert Murdoch's bad books because he can destroy you in a news flash - and such is the power of the media and the people that own them. And when power comes into play in relationships, it becomes false and forced. There is no sincerity, only ass-kissing.

So what is my point?

It's not easy maintaining a relationship (what more several!) and being diplomatic in every situation. Which justifies the rumour that PR people get paid a lot. William Blake once said, "It is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend." And this is exactly why people pounce on mistakes. The dependence does not give leeway for mistakes to be made.

Either way, I'm up for the challenge. Are you?