Prodo - Total Marketing Solutions

PR is not just for the Richard Bransons of the world with their extensive budgets! In fact, used correctly, PR can be one of the most important and effective marketing tools for small, medium-sized and large companies alike.

So what is PR? The Chartered Institute of Public Relations define PR as being about “reputation – the result of what you do, what you say and what others say about you”.

Every organisation whatever its size depends on its own reputation for success and survival.

Every person who comes into contact with your firm – whether a customer, employee, journalist or investor will have an opinion of your company. Good PR can help to manage the company’s reputation, both locally and nationally, by communicating with all these and help you to stand out from the competition – without costing the earth.

In practice, PR isn’t just about sending out press releases! Each campaign takes a variety of forms including everything from crisis management and lobbying to press releases and media relations. Campaigns are adapted according to both the short-term and long-term needs of the firm and are tailored to fit everything from the smallest to the biggest budget.

So does PR really work? As consumers become more and more cynical, traditional marketing methods such as advertising no longer have the power they once had. The power that PR holds is through third party endorsement of your brand. People are more likely to trust someone else’s opinion such as a journalist over and above an advert.

In such a competitive world no company can afford to forget about PR but should use this combined with other disciplines such as advertising, websites and events for maximum effectiveness.

‘If I was down to my last dollar I would spend it on PR’ Bill Gates.

Written by Pippa Adams [Managing Director] Prodo Ltd