In order for me to fully understand how the world of Public relations and journalism truly works, my manager placed me under the editorial team for 3 weeks so I could have first hand approach to the world of the media because like I have said before, my company of placement is a publishing company which therefore makes it the media to other companies out there. Different companies invite the editorial team to their events with hope that they would cover their stories and events in our different magazines.
During my time with the editorial team I learnt that public relations people will do whatever they can in order to get the media to attend their events. They would send invitations, send emails, and then call to make sure that the media indeed received the invitation, then they will cal again to confirm the RSVP, they will send information about the particular event, call again and again and again. They do what they have to do in order to make sure that their event receives the highest coverage ever.
The most amazing thing is the relationship that is established just by attending events. Public relations do more than just nagging in order to get the media to attend their events. They also do follow ups after wards. They always make sure that they have the latest contacts for all the media and as a token of appreciation they usually send goody bags to the media for no reason but just so to thank them for always responding to their calls and being present at their events.
I had too much fun at editorial and I’m quite sure that by the end of my 3 weeks i had gained a few kilos due to the many cup cakes that we always got....so if ever the roles are to be reversed, then the media will not only see the hard work and how demanding our line of work is and PR people will for once also get to enjoy the goody goodies and to be pampered....if only the roles could be reversed!
2 comments:
wow!! that is a good experience Lebo Moitoi....that clearly shows that the media plays a large role in the world of Public Relations...how the consultancies invite and re-invite the media shows that they really need the media, without the media its going to be difficult for public relations to work effectively
Hey gul! now you are ready for the industry. media really works in Public Relations, talking from experience i worked in an editorial team in The Ngami Times newspaper..out clients invited us when they have some events and once i did campaign with Women Against Rape-a non-profit organization and after that i had to write news about them..so all i can say is that PR works hand in hand with media...
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