Comments on: Ex-journalists should not be the boss of PR

By: Craig Pearce

Craig Pearce — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 09:39:00 +0000

I certainly agree with the points you make, Steven. Journalists certainly will have many skills, through both their technical writing ability and analytical skills that will provide organisations with much value.

By: Steven Woodgate

Steven Woodgate — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 16:53:00 +0000

Journalists may need training on the ’soft’ skills that are needed in the PR workplace, but their analytical mind and ‘know-how’ will certainly benefit when it comes to media relations. The whole concept of PR is simply too big to muster for a journo, therefore a degree of awareness will be needed for them to be taught.
I agree with your sentiments that journalists should be not be ‘parachuted’ into the role, but that does not mean they should be disregarded completely. Journalism is a very difficult industry to become a respected success, and one of the top-dog journalists may have the skills to benefit a big corporation.

By: Juddy

Juddy — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 12:30:00 +0000

PR is organised lying. This is an embarrassing piece of self-promoting nonsense.

By: Craig Pearce

Craig Pearce — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 10:44:00 +0000

Thanks for the value-add, James. It is a bit weak, but all I can say is that I agree with you 100%!

By: James Howe

James Howe — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 10:21:00 +0000

Thanks you Craig – this has long been a bugbear of mine – predominantly for the lack of strategic understanding required to successfully interact in a PR/Comms Manager role. As an experienced PR professional there is still little to no chance I would be allowed to walk into a newsroom and be a reporter let alone the chief of staff – yet somehow it is seen as acceptable career progression going the other way. Don’t get me wrong, I know some ex-journalists who are excellent PR operaters – but generally they are the ones who start at a lower level and have a good manager who mentor them in the areas of weakness.

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links for 2011-02-23 | Das Textdepot — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 12:02:09 +0000

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By: 5 PR blogger geniuses: worldwide talent hunt | Public relations and managing reputation

Sat, 13 Nov 2010 02:30:34 +0000

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By: Craig

Craig — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 23:28:35 +0000

Perhaps the recruiter lacked imagination, Bill. Not the first time that would have occurred. Thanks for your comments.

By: Bill Bennett

Bill Bennett — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 23:13:57 +0000

I was once head-hunted for a senior PR role. Turned up to the interviews, went part way through the process and was turned down for the job.

The explanation given was that I was “too much of a journalist”. Whatever that’s supposed to mean.

Presumably some journalists parachuted into these position aren’t “too much of a journalist”.

But in general, I think you have a point.

By: Craig

Craig — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 22:48:21 +0000

You sound like my sort of PR professional, Aimee! Honesty and frankness are at the heart – conceptually, practically, ethically – at the heart of what constitutes public relations in my opinion.

Any who don’t subscribe to these notions, I believe, do not deserve to work in this great profession.