For too long, the PR industry has been terribly misunderstood but it has an essential, strategic role to play in driving business success and maintaining a strong brand reputation. Even Bill Gates emphasised its value — “If I was down to the last dollar of my marketing budget, I’d spend it on PR!”.
This Sunday (July 16th) marks World PR Day — an opportunity to recognise and celebrate public relations and communications. This will be the third year we’ve celebrated the awareness day at spottdog, as we strongly believe in its aim of helping the world better understand PR for what it is. And this year, the community is advising PR professionals to share their favourite PR moments.
So, to celebrate Communications Consultant Rachel Carroll reaching her second anniversary at spottydog, keep reading to discover her top five PR moments to date.
1) Landing hundreds of pieces of media coverage
Every PR professional knows how important it is to land widespread media coverage for their clients in the titles that matter most, so it only makes sense to have ‘securing media coverage’ as my first highlight.
Since joining spottydog in July 2021, I am proud to have secured hundreds of pieces of media coverage spanning national, trade and regional titles in digital, print and broadcast for my clients.
From helping the brilliant charity Birmingham Dogs Home raise vital funds during a critical time of dog abandonment by landing them airtime on BBC Midlands Today and ITV News to recently spreading awareness of Eden Hall Day Spa’s new luxurious Spa Garden in OK! Magazine, there are multiple pieces of coverage to pick from.
But the best thing about media relations is the impact it has on my client’s reputation, brand awareness and sales. PR has the power to make a huge difference and that’s why I love what I do.
2. Working on fun campaigns & new business pitches
Every day is different in PR, and I love the flexibility it offers to be as creative as possible.
Whether it’s content creation, campaign planning or brainstorming, I’ve loved getting my paws dirty in various client briefs and new business opportunities over the past two years.
In addition to winning two new clients, three of my favourite PR campaigns that I’ve worked on include:
1. Putting Toby Carvery’s ‘Festive Super Pig’ on the table via a targeted media-relations approach
2. Launching ‘Operation Paw-pose’ with U-Hearts Foundation, to help the deserving pets of Ukraine have the Christmas they deserve which received international accreditation
3. Helping Harvester spread noise about their partnership with Too Good To Go through PR and influencers
3. Travelling around the UK
Working in hospitality PR has various perks, one of which is travelling.
Since 2022, I’ve played an active role in supporting Mitchells & Butlers on their Capital Plan programme — an investment scheme where every year, across all their brands, the company gives their pubs and restaurants a refurbishment.
As an agency, we provide a raft of communications support, spanning PR, influencer and stakeholder engagement, event management and photography, to create a buzz around the pub/restaurant’s reopening and drive footfall.
Not only has the experience allowed me to sharpen my regional media relations skills and increase my black book of media contacts, but I’ve had the pleasure of visiting various restaurants and pubs around the UK in beautiful settings. My particular favourite was the Cuckmere Inn in Seaford.
4. Becoming Accredited
In my interview with Rachel Roberts in 2021, I told her that one of my goals was to become an Accredited PR Practitioner. That’s why receiving this industry status from the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) in March was a particular highlight!
This was achieved by completing two years of CPD activities covering everything from ethics and evaluation to media relations and influencer marketing. Plus, attending various networking events across the region.
5. Coaching the next generation of PR talent
It feels like yesterday when I attended spottydog’s Virtual Open House event from my university bedroom during my final year. Skip forward to now, I am proud to have shared my experience of ‘getting a paw in the door to the PR industry’ with the next generation of talent by speaking and networking at spottydog’s Open House events. Plus, supporting the agency with its Insight Week and internship programme.
What’s more, I have delivered a talk to final year PR students at Birmingham City University on not-for-profit communications as well as internal lunch and learns to the Leopard Co pack on all things media relations — enabling me to hone my expertise and skillset.
What has been your favourite moment in PR? Head to our Instagram and LinkedIn posts to share your highlights— we’d love to hear!
