Tag Archive for: what to look for in a PR firm

Should You Buy Guaranteed Media Coverage?

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Key Takeaways

  • No Guarantees in Earned Media: PR agencies that promise guaranteed media coverage compromise journalistic ethics, risking their relationships with journalists and potentially engaging in illegal practices. Authentic earned media coverage builds trust and credibility, which cannot be achieved through paid or guaranteed placements.
  • Differences Between Sponsored and Earned Coverage: Sponsored coverage, while legitimate, is fundamentally an advertisement and should be transparently labeled. Unlike earned media, which can have lasting visibility and trust, sponsored content typically has a limited lifespan and is often less authoritative in the eyes of consumers.
  • Strategic Use of Sponsored Coverage: Emerging and pre-IPO companies can benefit from sponsored coverage as a means of gaining exposure and social proof. A modern PR agency can help navigate the media landscape effectively, ensuring that sponsored content is used wisely and enhances the brand’s reputation rather than detracting from it.

Do you find yourself asking “What will I get for my money if I hire a PR agency?” You might even see offers for guaranteed media coverage. But should PR agencies guarantee media coverage? The reasons the answer is “no” might surprise you. Any PR agency that promises earned media coverage is putting their journalist contacts at risk for journalistic ethics violations. Guaranteed PR coverage is not only unethical, it can even be illegal. “Guaranteed” PR coverage rarely lives as long as earned media coverage. Finally, it doesn’t have the authority and trust that comes with credible earned media.

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Pay-to-Play Earned Media is Unethical

Sadly, we’ve seen it all, including journalists fired for violating professional journalist ethics. Violations might include not disclosing a monetary relationship or other conflict or interest. Paying a journalist under the table to write about a company or a product is the signal of an inexperienced, desperate, or unethical PR agency. These agencies don’t garner favor by journalists who value their jobs, and getting a journalist fired isn’t the way to reinforce media relationships. And when you hire a PR agency that does this, you’re attaching your brand’s reputation to unethical and even illegal behavior. No matter how cheap guaranteed PR coverage is, the cost to your reputation will far outweigh any benefits.

There is such a thing as legitimate sponsored coverage. And while sponsored coverage LOOKS like an article, it’s actually an advertisement. Secured through a media outlet’s advertising team, never directly with a journalist, sponsored coverage is a legitimate form of advertising. The FCC always requires sponsored coverage to identify itself as paid. Even Google wants to know what links are sponsored, and not tagging them correctly is an SEO risk authoritative and important media outlets won’t risk. Press releases are a great example of paid or sponsored coverage. Paid placements have a role in a campaign, and any good PR agency can make recommendations about how to use these tools in your campaign.

Guaranteed Coverage Isn’t Usually Authoritative

Fast-growing brands and hyper-growth companies need PR primarily for exposure and trust that typically comes from earned media.

Today’s readers and content consumers are incredibly savvy. After thousands of hours of advertising exposure, most consumers can sniff out the difference between advertising articles and journalistic pieces. Like all advertisements, ethically secured readers’ and viewers’ trust earned coverage because journalists maintain independence.

We’ve seen self-proclaimed PR experts use their positions as media contributors to promote their clients; these same people are banned from esteemed outlets like Entrepreneur and Forbes.  Most times, the brands paying for this coverage did not know that what the “PR expert” was doing was unethical or illegal. No one wins in this situation, certainly not the brand that thought they paid a PR firm to secure high-value coverage. This is especially painful because once discovered by the media outlet, that content is often removed from their website and, therefore the internet; this rarely happens with earned media coverage which lasts as long as the website is up.

Sponsored or Paid Coverage Doesn’t Last as Long

While earned media takes strategy, expertise, and, yes, time, ethical sponsored or paid coverage doesn’t last as long as earned coverage. Sponsored and paid coverage, while it has its place, is like any other advertisement: it typically runs for a limited amount of time, and then it disappears. One of the underappreciated perks of earned media is its longevity.

There’s nothing wrong with sponsored or paid coverage. We’ve seen some really remarkable pieces of sponsored coverage that went beyond the advertisement and well into providing true value for readers. The Washington Post, the New York Times, all do spectacular special projects like this. The starting cost is usually in the $50,000+ range. Regular ad rates for a premium location like the (printed) back page hover around $30,000 per ad, volume discounts usually apply to annual contracts. But hey, you’re getting ad placement in one of the world’s most credible news outlets at least once for that price.

 

The Case for Sponsored or Paid Coverage

Many emerging industries or pre-IPO companies want exposure and they want social proof. The weird thing about exposure is the more you get, the more exposure you’ll get. This is where sponsored coverage comes into play – and it’s essential to understand its role. What you DO with sponsored coverage and how you create the content for sponsored coverage makes all the difference. Working with a modern PR agency can help you distinguish yourself in sponsored or branded coverage and also help you make the most of it. There’s a place for this kind of media in the ecosystem today; it’s important to use it wisely.

 

Today’s modern PR firms are savvy in today’s media landscape, including traditional, paid, and digital mediums. We take our professional PR ethics very seriously, including guaranteed media coverage. Hire a PR firm you can trust and trust your PR firm.

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Combine PR and Social Together for CPG Brand Success

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Key Takeaways

  • Integration of PR and Social Media: For success in the competitive CPG industry, brands should not view PR and social media as mutually exclusive strategies. A combined approach leverages the strengths of both, enhancing overall marketing effectiveness.
  • Consumer Trust in Third-Party Content: Many consumers prefer information from reputable third-party sources over direct brand messaging, highlighting the importance of PR in building credibility. With 70% of consumers favoring articles over advertisements, PR can help validate a brand’s message.
  • Strategies for Effective Combination: CPG brands can enhance their marketing by creating a cohesive brand identity through PR, generating media buzz that can be amplified via social media, and utilizing live events and influencer marketing to showcase products, thus creating a synergistic effect that boosts visibility and engagement.

Combine PR and Social Together for CPG Brand Success

There’s good news and bad news for any brand trying to break into the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry. First, the good news: The value of the CPG market in the United States alone was estimated at $635 billion in 2019, so there’s a ravenous audience for these products. The bad news, though, is there are so many brands within the CPG space it can be difficult for newcomers to make their mark and reach potential customers.

Many CPG brands rely on social media to increase their reach and engage with their audience. This is an excellent strategy, but it shouldn’t be the only approach aspiring brands take if they’re looking to expand. A well-crafted public relations campaign can enhance the benefits of social media while also furthering a brand’s reach in other ways. A strategic public relations campaign can do things that social media can’t, and vice-versa, so brands should incorporate both PR and social media into their marketing.

At Avaans Media, our innovative PR and social media tools make us the ideal team to help your CPG brand extend its reach and better engage with customers. With our proven track record of success and dedication to helping purpose-driven brands find success, we can help you reach your goals and make a positive impression on consumers. We’ll craft an innovative, personalized campaign highlighting what makes you unique and put that message where it will produce the best results for your brand.

If you’re ready to see what a truly modern, virtually enabled PR agency can do for your purpose-driven brand, get in touch with us. We have team members in Los Angeles, New York, San Diego, Denver, Honolulu, Phoenix, and Washington, D.C.. You can also set up a call by filling out the form on our contact page. We look forward to hearing from you.

CPG PR vs. CPG Social Media: Why Not Both?

It’s a mistake to think of PR and social media as an “either/or” choice for how you market your CPG brand. While social media has tremendous influence, it should not cannibalize all of your marketing efforts. Social media may have a broader reach than PR, at least in the abstract, but marketing is about more than the number of people who see your content. If you don’t put that content in front of a receptive and engaged audience, all your efforts will have been for nothing.

The key reason to incorporate PR in your marketing efforts is the inherent skepticism many people have about the messages they receive on social media. A study from the Content Marketing Institute found that 70 percent of consumers prefer to get information about a company from articles rather than advertisements.

The preference for third-party articles makes sense when you consider the issue from a consumer’s viewpoint. Many consumers tend to distrust what companies say about themselves because consumers generally have no way to verify the message they’re receiving. If they get that same message from a blog, newspaper, magazine, or some other platform they already trust, they’re much more likely to believe the content of the message.

How To Use PR In Combination With Social Media To Promote Your CPG Brand

Your PR and social media campaigns shouldn’t compete with each other or be siloed. To get the best results for your company, you need to harness the strengths of PR and social media in ways that enhance both efforts. Here are a few ways CPG brands can combine PR and social media in their marketing:

  • Branding- With so many iconic brands already established in the CPG space, a clear and distinct visual identity is essential for any newcomer. You need a consistent color scheme, logo, text style, tagline, tone, and imagery across all your marketing channels. This is where PR shines, and once you’ve established your brand, you can send the materials to your social media team. This way, you know all your content has a clear, concise, well-established theme that reflects your company and your values.
  • Media relations- The cornerstone of PR is getting positive coverage of your CPG brand in various media outlets. However, social media can supplement and amplify the efforts of your PR team. If you generate enough social media buzz, media outlets will come calling to find out more. And once you’ve gotten some coverage in third-party outlets, your social media team can post those stories across your channels, creating a positive feedback loop.
  • Live events and affiliate marketing- One of the best ways to get other people interested in your product is to show someone else using it. There are two key ways to do this: Live events and affiliate marketing. If your PR team stages a live event to show off your products, your social media team can share photos and video clips from the event to reach new customers. And if your PR team can get other social media influencers to market your product, you can use social media to piggyback off the influencers’ content and their built-in trust with their audience.

Work With Avaans Media PR Firm To Help Your CPG Brand Find Its Potential

At Avaans Media, we’ve already showed how we can help CPG brands reach the next level. One of our biggest successes involved our PR firm’s ability to combine social media and public relations a hemp-based CPG wellness brand that was looking to grow its customer base ahead of its initial public offering (IPO). We offered personalized review opportunities for journalists, hosted live events, and used branded social media content to shape the client’s image in a more positive light.

By the time of the client’s IPO, we had generated more than 200 pieces of positive press coverage over three years. Our custom content also generated more than 10 billion earned media impressions, at an estimated value of more than $5 million. Best of all, the client’s share price had risen by 300 percent.

It’s always a challenge for CPG brands to find new audiences, but a quality PR firm can make a massive difference. If you’d like to see what Avaans Media can bring to your organization, let’s talk. You can set up a call by visiting our contact page or contact one of our team members across the United States. We look forward to working with you.

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3 Tips for Cannabis Companies New to PR

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Key Takeaways

  • Assessing Readiness for PR: Cannabis companies new to public relations should evaluate their readiness by considering their goals, bandwidth, and clarity about their brand identity. Engaging a PR agency can be beneficial, especially if they understand the specific needs and strategic outcomes required for the cannabis industry.
  • Importance of Branding and Presentation: Before launching a PR campaign, cannabis brands must ensure their packaging, product images, and overall branding are polished and appealing. A clear understanding of their target audience and brand aesthetic is crucial for effective PR efforts.
  • Timing and Planning for PR Engagement: Successful PR campaigns require advance planning, especially in the cannabis sector where media coverage peaks around key events and seasons. Brands should initiate PR efforts well ahead of major product launches or industry events to maximize visibility and editorial coverage.

Cannabis businesses who are new to PR have a lot of decisions to make. Many of our clients have never hired a cannabis PR agency before and the process can seem daunting.At Avaans, we work with a lot of hyper-growth or early-stage companies in emerging industries, so we’re pros at guiding ambitious companies to the next stage of growth. Often our clients are CEOs or CMOs who understand why PR is important, but maybe haven’t engaged a professional PR agency before. That’s why we came up with 3 tips for cannabis companies new to PR.

Cannabis Companies New to PR: “Am I Ready for PR?”

 

If you’re new to PR and you’re asking yourself the question, you’re off to a great start.

If you’re new to PR, you might be confused about what to ask an agency. For more strategic PR partnerships, ask the agency whether they think you are ready for PR. That will tell you how prepared they are to work with a company of your PR readiness. If a firm tells you that you aren’t ready for cannabis PR, what they’re saying is “You aren’t ready for our PR services.” We believe it’s important to consider PR from the very first moment.

The next question to ask yourself is how much bandwidth you have for PR. We started our consumer product PR sprints for very early growth companies or companies without huge budgets. Our cannabis PR Sprints are an excellent way to look underneath the hood of working with a PR agency, without a long-term PR contract. The PR Sprints are also great for cannabis product launches.

A full-scale bespoke cannabis PR program is more successful when the PR agency has a key contact at the cannabis company. Bespoke programs are for consumer brands committed to strategic PR outcomes like pre-IPO or investment, or attracting top talent. Bespoke programs are for companies and brands that have a long-term vision for the company and can state their 3-year and 5-year goals. B2B PR are also bespoke PR campaigns because every B2B campaign has dependencies as distinctive as the company’s leadership, product, and ambitions.

Naturally, budget comes into play, but working with a cannabis PR company is like hiring a contractor – you rarely want the cheapest. If you’re new to PR, you’re in the early stages of reputation and branding, and this is a critical time for new cannabis brands. In particular, a cannabis company needs to invest in trust-first positioning and can’t take risks with the brand, because there is less brand equity.

Another way to know whether you’re ready for bespoke PR? Being crystal clear on cannabis public relations goals and outcomes will make choosing a firm, and a time to start cannabis PR much easier.

How Do I Look, Hunny?

Starting a cannabis business means jumping through a lot of hoops, and sometimes branding and marketing seem like it takes a back seat to the regulatory hurdles for cannabis companies. How does your cannabis packaging look on the shelves at a dispensary? How will it look on the pages of a magazine? Are your product images professionally shot? Do you know who your customers really are? If you’re still figuring out your website or tinkering with formulations, then focus on those items first, or at least go with a shorter-term, very focused PR campaign. Starting with a freelancer could also be an option at this stage as well. But in general, bespoke PR firms are worth the investment if you’re clear on your brand, its customers, and the look/feel of your cannabis packaging and product.

What’s the Best Time of Year To Engage a Cannabis PR Agency?

Journalists and editors are planning months in advance. This means your PR pitching should start months in advance, too. This is one aspect of PR that many new-to-PR companies struggle with: the need to plan in advance. For example, PR agencies will want photos and product descriptions months before

Look beyond 420 for cannabis PR. The fall months are a dynamic time for the cannabis industry. There are cannabis industry events happening, there are cannabis industry events, award winners announced, and, of course, Halloween, Thanksgiving, the December holidays, and New Year’s Eve all add up to massive revenue opportunities for cannabis brands. For consumer brands new to PR, the fall can be one of the most valuable times of year to get editorial coverage for consumer brands. In fact, up to 40% of coverage for consumer brands happens in the fall, so that’s a great time to pack a PR punch. We developed our consumer brand PR Sprints to include fall cannabis PR for this reason.

For B2B PR for cannabis companies, the equation looks a little different. If you’re looking for a feature on a product launch or an executive, planting that story takes planning on behalf of the journalist and editor who have to fit it into regularly scheduled articles. Starting B2B cannabis public relations in the fall may be right for you if you have big plans for the spring. B2B PR, like thought leadership, speaking engagements, and cannabis industry visibility have more dependencies, some of which – like when speaking engagement submissions close, aren’t in your control. If you miss the window for this year at a particular event, there are only a couple of avenues to take, and most of them include spending a considerable sum of money. Campaigns and activations around crucial industry events may take longer to plan and implement, especially cannabis industry events. In short, B2B PR often requires longer lead times.

For cannabis consumer brands new to PR, there are some advantages to starting PR in the second quarter. But not if you’re planning a big 420 splash or product launch. You really aren’t giving yourself enough time to maximize your 420 if you’re starting in Q2. At that point, the question is really should you do a 420 campaign? On the other hand, if you’re a consumer or CPG cannabis brand who tends to have a summer-based sales cycle, say cannabis beverages, then starting your PR well in advance of the summer is a great idea.

Starting a new PR campaign in January gives most brands a superb runway to plan for everything the year offers, regardless of whether it’s B2B or B2C. We love starting the year off together with new clients, but this isn’t a time of year to start new projects for everyone. If your product does particularly well in February for Valentine’s Day – then starting in January is too late.

Being a cannabis company new to PR doesn’t have to daunting. Contact us with questions about hiring for cannabis PR, and what to look for. We love working with cannabis companies in all stages of growth.

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4 Defining Characteristics of a Modern PR Agency

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Key Takeaways

  • Trust-Focused: Modern PR firms prioritize building and maintaining trust with consumers. They recognize that trust is essential for brand loyalty and advocacy, emphasizing the importance of consistent messaging and actions that align with brand values. This focus on trust is crucial for navigating today’s skeptical consumer landscape.
  • Digitally Savvy: These agencies possess a deep understanding of digital landscapes, integrating PR with SEO and leveraging various media types—earned, paid, and owned. They monitor online reputation and utilize data-driven insights to engage more effectively with both clients and journalists, ensuring their strategies are aligned with current digital trends.
  • Purpose-Forward and Customer-Obsessed: Modern PR firms help brands align with authentic purposes that resonate with their target audiences. They guide clients in activating this purpose across campaigns while remaining highly attuned to client needs. This customer-centric approach ensures that PR strategies are adaptive and responsive to evolving client objectives and market dynamics.

What does it mean to be a modern PR agency these days? There are 3 characteristics of a modern PR firm. Today’s modern PR firms are trust-focused, digitally savvy, purpose forward, and customer-obsessed. This means modern PR agencies can think long-term while staying nimble enough to be a strategic and operational resource in today’s fast-moving world. It’s difficult to do both, but that’s why modern PR agencies are so valuable.

Can a legacy PR firm also be a modern PR firm? Absolutely. And, a new PR firm isn’t necessarily more modern than a legacy PR firm. Digital PR firms aren’t necessarily more modern than those who focus on earned media. That’s because our characteristics supersede age and services and for depth and maturity. Depth and maturity are particularly important for fast-growing brands and hyper-growth companies because these companies need the savvy and emotional intelligence of a modern PR firm so they can stay nimble and focused.

 

      1. Trust Focused

        Modern PR firms are trust-focused. Consumers today are incredibly savvy. After all, we’re exposed to roughly 10,000 messages a DAY. To understand why trust is so important to modern PR, we have to go way, way, back into how we evolved. Our brains haven’t quite evolved to deal with this kind of input, so as a result, we manage this input in our subconscious. One of the most basic human survival functions is trust, that’s why we organize into social tribes. We trust our social tribes. See where this is headed?

        Today, our default reaction to almost anything is suspicion – even our most established institutions get the side-eye. 6 out of 10 adults say they distrust something until they see evidence.

        While there are initial trust signals, trust is the long game. Trust signals need to be consistent and thorough. Consumers today quickly recognize brands who say one thing, but do another. They recognize greenwashing, they see through insincerity. But it’s not just the cost of distrust that hypergrowth and fast-growing brands need to consider, it’s also the advantages of trust.

        Which means we trust brands who act and signal in ways that we trust. Our source of trust can come from several signals, but earned media, that is coverage where a brand, or person, is characterized in a trusted outlet and/or trusted person in an independent and organic manner.

         

        Trust becomes a brand cornerstone because trust begets loyalty and loyalty begets advocacy. Trust is also a considerable cornerstone to brand value. You can’t really have considerable brand value without considerable trust. And damaged trust, on a grand scale is incredibly expensive to repair.

        That’s why modern PR firms place an important emphasis on trust – because they know that’s what their clients are really after. It also takes discipline for a modern PR agency to stay trust-focused, for the same reason it takes discipline to be a trusted brand-there are indeed short-term shortcuts that look good today, but can have devastating affects in the future.

        A GREAT modern PR firm will help you define a wide range of strategics and values and aligned KPIs so you can track your trust-building efforts.

      2. Digitally Savvy

        Modern PR firms are digitally savvy. This doesn’t “only” mean they understand social media. It also means they understand how to earn trust in digital formats from forums to social media. It means they know how PR and SEO can work together, and where they separate. Digitally savvy PR firms are monitoring review sites, your search results, and other digital signals for red flags. Digitally savvy PR firms understand how earned media, paid media, social media and owned media work together and how to pull the levers of each type of media for a stated campaign aim.

        Digitally savvy PR firms also have their pulse on other avenues growing in influence. For example, media relations today include trusted magazines, blogs, and increasingly newsletters. Newsletters are an outstanding example of trust AND digital intelligence. Think about it – if you’ve given your email to receive a newsletter in your inbox, that’s a big trust signal. Several years ago, newsy newsletters took on renewed relevance and when Substack courted journalists, it was another endorsement for newsy newsletters. Some of Substack’s email publishers are making well over $100K per year on subscriptions. Newsletter impressions and reach are difficult to track, but that’s offset by the incredible trust value they bring.  While the “ROI” might be difficult to pinpoint, the digitally savvy PR firm knows how to evaluate newsletter appearances

        Using digital tools wisely also helps a modern PR firm deeply understand your customers or target customers. Our deep analysis isn’t only observational, it’s data driven from a multitude of sources, that give us a wide view of what’s happened, and what is likely to happen. We also use a multitude of sources to engage on a deeper level with journalists.

      3. Purpose Forward

        Because consumers are aligning with their tribes, it’s more and more important for brands to align with a larger purpose. Purpose, like trust, is an inside-out job. Purpose HAS to be authentic. The good news is that for most brands, there actually is an authentic purpose; it’s just a matter of aligning that purpose with other campaigns, including sponsorship, social media, word of mouth, and earned media.

        From an earned media perspective, it’s rarely enough to have a purpose. It’s important that brands today activate on purpose and align on purpose. There’s no doubt that purpose can be a landmine, so that’s where public relations comes in. Modern PR firms are emotionally intelligent and able to guide brands on choices that may be consistent with their stated purpose. PR can help guide ad campaigns, sponsorship, and influencer campaigns to improve outcomes and brand reputation.

      4. Customer Obsessive

        How can a PR agency help its clients improve trust, loyalty, and brand if it isn’t client obsessed? Now, your definition of client obsessed might differ from someone else’s. That’s why it’s important to know the client characteristics that you really need. Do you need a PR agency that is on-call 24/7? Do you crave a stable, intelligent PR team that becomes an extension of your team? How does your PR firm stay aligned with your strategies and objectives, even as they change? Our entire model is based on your needs – from our Strategy Driven Pricing  to our Product PR Sprints for DTC or CPG brands everything we do is designed to move the needle for you.

 

Today’s modern PR firms come in all sizes, from the extraordinarily large to the boutique. But to be a truly modern PR firm, it takes a village, so it’s not enough to have a micro-agency or freelancer. No one person can see the entire landscape alone. Smart agencies hire emotionally intelligent team members. At Avaans, we hire emotionally intelligent PR executives. Our experienced team has successful track records and comes from an array of backgrounds. That’s why we call our team the A-Team. If you’re a fast-growing or hyper-growth or ambitious brand, and you’d like a modern PR firm that’s also experienced, please reach out to us.

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What’s the Difference Between Public Relations & Communications?

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Key Takeaways

  • Distinct Definitions: While public relations (PR) involves building and maintaining positive relationships with the public and stakeholders through strategic messaging, communications is a broader field that encompasses various methods (like advertising and marketing) to convey messages. Not all communications are PR, but effective PR relies on strong communication skills.
  • Strategic Communications: Strategic communications integrates various communication methods to achieve organizational goals. This approach may involve PR, advertising, and grassroots advocacy, emphasizing the importance of using the right communication vehicles at the right times to maximize impact.
  • Evolution of PR: The field of public relations has evolved significantly, moving away from perceptions of “propaganda” to a focus on ethical practices and two-way communication. The profession now prioritizes transparency and relationship-building, especially in response to societal changes and declining trust in traditional media channels.

What is the difference between public relations and communication? PR and communications are so intertwined that distinguishing between the two may seem like splitting a hair. Public relations always involve communications, but communications does not always involve public relations. For example, advertising is communication, but it is not a form of public relations. The term “communications” encompasses a variety of positions, skill sets, and ways to promote a company’s message, both internally and externally. More than ever, there are many similarities between public relations and strategic communications. Both require skill in delivering the desired message to customers, media, and stakeholders using the best communications techniques for their audiences and their organization’s goals, such as written word, video, graphics, and photography. The communication tools you use, including PR, depend on what you are trying to accomplish.

We Always Communicate, Intentionally or Not

People who go into a communications career often have a knack for conveying ideas through writing, speaking, or graphic design. Both verbal and non-verbal communications provide the foundation for specific communications professions, such as journalism, advertising, marketing, public speaking, graphic design, public affairs, advocacy, videography, website design, social media specialist, and public relations. Professional communicators can articulate the implications of a particular message – will they will perceive it as trustworthy? Will it be memorable?

When is Communications “Strategic?”

“Strategic communications” is knowing when to use a specific communications vehicle, method, or discipline – such as advertising or social media – to accomplish an organization’s goals, campaign, or movement. In other words, strategic communications is considered the intermingling of public relations with marketing, and at times,  advertising as well. Used strategically and holistically, there may be very little difference between public relations and communication.

For example, if you are running for public office, your goal is to get elected. Your strategic communications planning may include a lot of grassroots advocacy work, which puts you into neighborhoods, knocking on doors, speaking at public school events, or holding neighborhood rallies. You may also use paid advertising to ensure your specific message gets out to the potential voters at specific times of the day or in specific places, like the billboards of key neighborhoods or on certain social media platforms. And you almost certainly have a media relations component.

A business that is launching new product,  may also use advertising to promote the benefits of its product or draw comparisons between its product and the competition. Some marketing tactics include holding special events with the public, inviting them to try your product for free, or offering discounts.

Both examples may want to try to get unpaid or “earned” media attention through a journalist that covers voting activities or your company’s product. This is called media relations and goes hand-in-hand with public relations.

PR: The Definition is in the Name

A public relations professional works to develop, foster, and maintain positive relationships with the public or other identified stakeholders which can include the shareholders, policy creators, customers, and even employees.

A PR professional uses several communications tools in their relationship building, particularly writing. Most PR professionals will write press releases for news media, give presentations or press briefings, or write for company executives. They exercise persuasion and work to present their organization in the best possible light—and they do it by “earning” publicity and public goodwill versus paying for it, as advertising professionals do. They also try to limit or mitigate any negative information or crises.

While public relations may be persuasive, the best PR professionals understand that being truthful is the cornerstone of PR. In the early 1900s, a man named Ivy Lee considered the founder of modern public relations, argued that the public deserved honest and accurate information versus simply persuading an audience.

The profession took another turn when Edward Bernays, a member of President Woodrow Wilson’s Committee on Public Information, advocated that PR professionals use psychological precepts that target emotions to elicit the desired responses from an audience. (This makes sense when you realize that Bernays was Sigmund Freud’s nephew.)

A glaring example of Bernays’ philosophy in action—and genius in tying it to a current event—was his success in tapping into women’s emotions amid the suffrage movement by declaring that cigarettes were the enlightened woman’s “torches of freedom.” By smoking in public, women were declaring themselves equal to men.

The shift toward true relationship building as a tenet of public relations occurred during the 1950s and 60s, as the public began to protest corporate power in America. Organizations began to see the importance of building relationships with their audiences and promoting two-way communications, which is still the touchstone of today’s PR profession.

PR’s Evolution

Some people still consider PR as “propaganda.” Bernays himself wrote a book simply titled “Propaganda.” His long-tenured influence on public relations undoubtedly had a great deal to do with other derogatory adjectives commonly associated with PR, like “slick” or “hype.”

PR’s early inroads into America created a catalyst for change. In 1948, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) was formed. Soon after, the organization developed an ethics code and voluntary accreditation for PR practitioners. Professional PR professionals take professional ethics seriously because PR is a powerful tool that is an investment in your company.

The Bottom Line

History teaches us that as society changes, public relations—and all communications – also change. The difference between public relations and communications waxes and wanes depending on the public’s trust of particular message delivery mechanisms. The rise of social media demanded that PR professionals build their communications proficiencies. Print newspapers and magazines declined significantly, highlighting the need for digital communications. These changes, along with other media and audience consumption, have blurred the lines between PR and multiple communications competencies. Americans’ trust in the news media continues to decline, making earned media less of a PR weapon than it once was.

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Do Emerging Markets Have Special PR Needs?

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Key Takeaways

  • Education is Essential: Emerging industries, such as AI and cryptocurrency, require focused efforts to educate consumers about new products and their benefits. Companies must develop targeted communication strategies to foster understanding and excitement, which are crucial for driving adoption and influencing purchasing decisions.
  • Benefits of Public Relations: Effective PR can provide credible, third-party endorsements and facilitate earned media coverage. A strategic PR approach can help emerging brands communicate their key messages, engage early adopters, and establish a presence in the market without the high costs associated with traditional advertising.
  • Tailored PR Strategies: Companies in emerging markets must create customized PR strategies that include market research, audience analysis, and the selection of appropriate tactics (like influencer marketing and press releases). A well-defined timeline and clear goals are also essential to navigate the competitive landscape and achieve visibility before competitors.

There is a range of emerging industries in the global marketplace, from AI,  psychedelics, drones and UAVs to cryptocurrency and cleantech. Many people discuss how a new concept, technology, or product can affect everyday life. Although there’s potential for some emerging industries to become successful, multiple barriers could affect profitability, that’s why emerging markets have special PR needs.

Informing the public of a new product or idea requires proper planning. Using the correct public relations (PR) strategy is also necessary. Most people don’t know about new products in the early development stages. That’s why PR can be a valuable tool in getting the word out to the masses.

Here at Avaans Media, we’re experienced at putting PR to work for our clients. We can help you get your product known by your target consumers and create strategies to help you grow your brand. Contact us today so we can discuss how we can help in your specific situation.

 

Emerging Industries Significantly Depend on Education

 

Cell phones, electric cars, social media, and other once-seemingly impossible inventions are now commonly used products. Accepting a new idea isn’t something that happens immediately. Companies in an emerging industry must educate consumers and get them excited about a product that can improve their lives.

A brand’s success depends on consumers’ understanding and adopting a new trend. Companies must inform customers about the positive impact of the product to influence purchasing decisions. Additionally, a new industry researches who its audience might be and using strategic and targeted communication to connect with them.

 

Benefits of Public Relations for Emerging Markets

 

Public relations is an effective stepping stone to earned media and third-party endorsements. PR can provide an unbiased opinion from media sources the public trusts if used correctly.

An experienced and knowledgeable PR professional knows how to perform tasks necessary to a company working with an emerging market, such as:

  • Providing the media with accurate and unbiased information
  • Developing key messaging for the brand
  • Getting the message out to early adopters, resulting in a trickle-down effect to the consumer
  • Leveraging opportunities for experts to speak about the industry
  • Strategizing the appropriate communication channels for the product or idea

 

Emerging Markets PR Has No Limits

 

Many people think PR is only about writing press releases to inform consumers about products. However, public relations involves open discussions, strategic planning, channels for brands to discuss their expertise, and high engagement. It includes editorial opportunities, serving on panels and conferences, producing thought leadership and bylined articles, and building trusted media relationships.

These PR strategies are affordable. Unlike advertising, which can become a significant expense, the cost of PR is minimal. Additionally, there aren’t as many restrictions in public relations. When you have an interesting story to tell with a third-party endorsing your product or idea, it can influence consumer behavior.

 

Relevance of Public Relations for Emerging Industries

 

Companies with an emerging market need PR more than ever. Having a partner deliver your message so consumers know about the product is vital. Remaining competitive requires standing out in the crowd. If no one believes your product or idea is better than someone else’s, consumers might go to your competitor.

Investing in public relations is worth it to achieve your professional goals. You want the masses to know who you are and what you do. Without the right platform to inform consumers of your brand, you likely won’t make a profit or become successful within your industry.

 

Creating Your Public Relations Strategy in an Emerging Market

 

Influencing the behavior and attitude of others is a crucial part of public relations. If you’re in an emerging market, you must develop the correct PR strategy to accomplish your objectives and goals. Below are the steps you should follow while creating a public relations plan for your product.

 

Outline Your Goals

Your plan should begin with goals for your PR efforts. When entering a competitive market against companies with an already-established brand, you must determine what you want to accomplish.

 

Whether you want to become a major player or live harmoniously with your competitors within the same industry, what you set out to do should be reflected in these goals. Write down everything you want to accomplish with your new product, service, or idea. You can outline your overall goal and include smaller accomplishments you want to achieve along the way.

Research the Market

 

Becoming successful in an emerging market means performing extensive research. You must learn everything there is to learn about the market. Your research should include gaining knowledge about media narratives, relevant trends, and audience opinions.

While performing your research, you should also review communications regarding your brand on multiple platforms and channels. Look at your website and determine whether your audience can navigate it easily or might have trouble learning about your product. Analyze metrics for your social media platforms and how much engagement they get.

 

Learn About Your Target Audience

A PR strategy isn’t useful unless you get to know the audience you’re targeting. You should consider demographics, interests, lifestyle, and other vital factors. If you don’t put your product in front of the consumers most likely to purchase it, your brand won’t grow.

 

Getting to know your audience also requires understanding how they perceive your brand. Since you’re in an emerging market, you can’t rely on previous performance and sales. You should analyze data, monitor the media, and ask your target audience their opinions.

Set a Timeline

Emerging markets include various products, services, ideas, and brands vying for attention. You could fall behind your competitors if you don’t move through your timeline efficiently. Although you should handle your PR strategy correctly, you don’t want to enter the market after everyone else.

 

List every objective involved in your PR plan and choose a realistic deadline to meet each one. Ensure your objectives are attainable and specific. Broad goals can waste your time and might not even accomplish your aims.

Choose Tactics for Your PR Needs

You have an endless number of PR tactics to choose from as a new business in an emerging market, from social media posts and press releases to events and conferences. However, if a tactic you use doesn’t portray your brand correctly or achieve your goals, you should devote your resources to something else.

Below are the most common public relations tactics companies use in emerging markets:

 

  • Press releases – It might seem old school, but press releases are highly effective. A press release is a reliable communication tool that gets the word out about any topic you choose. You can use a press release to inform the public of your product, an event you’re hosting, and various other information.
  • Influencer marketing – Your PR plan might benefit from including a social media influencer. Influencers offer their opinions of products and direct the public on whether to buy them. If an influencer’s followers are part of your target audience, you can use their platform to promote your brand.
  • Media outreach – The media has a significant influence on consumer behavior. You should understand how and who to pitch your idea to. Stay in touch with key media outlets and nurture already existing relationships. It’s also a good idea to consider their schedules, so you can discuss your product or service at the most opportune time.
  • Conferences and Tradeshows – Conferences and tradeshows are excellent tent poles around which to build PR campaigns. Utilizing conferences to create publicity stunts, sampling, and product demonstrations is key for emerging industries like drones, AI, cannabis.

 

Contact Us

Avaans Media has extensive experience managing strategic PR campaigns for businesses in emerging markets. We know how to create effective public relations strategies to help our clients establish brand trust, build and maintain reputations, and grow their businesses.

If you’re interested in discussing how our PR professionals can meet your PR needs in an emerging market, do not hesitate to call us.

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