I’m PRWeek’s deputy features editor, but last week I tried out life on ‘the dark side’ as a PR at Bite Communications.
I receive the PR calls, I write about the strategy of campaigns and advise PRs on targeting media outlets. So what would it feel like to be on the other side?
Over the week I tried my hand at media relations; pitching journalists, making follow up calls, writing a press release and putting together pre-interview briefing documents for clients.
Thought leader; brainstorming new ideas was Kate's favourite part of being at Bite - and most similar to being a journalist
I also listened in on the challenges of managing client expectations and watched a Bite staffer skilfully persuade a client to take a different (and much more effective) approach to a campaign.
Experiencing how Bite managed its regional partners in its capacity as a lead agency on a global campaign, and watching how broader comms areas such as analyst relations or speaker bureau programmes interlink with media relations, was also interesting. As was the work Bite is doing in the social media area for clients.
It was also interesting to see how Bite is responding to the challenges of the ever-changing digital landscape and the shake-up of the traditional marketing industry disciplines.
On a personal level, my favourite part was throwing around ideas in brainstorming sessions. To me, this was similar to my role as a journalist; working out what is interesting about a topic and translating this into something that will engage an audience.
But while I’ll miss the beanbags, free fruit and fun team, for now I’m happier with my name, rather than my client’s name, on the top of an article.
Thanks to all the Bite staffers for making me welcome.
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