Hi there, Yes, calling a Press conference for a non-event is criminal waste of every thing. I give below 2 instances from my experience. One - A small company exporting organge juice/sqash from Nagpur got a order for about $.50,000/- from abroad. For this company it was a big order (in early 80s). some 'con' PR man suggested them to have a press conference in Mumbai to announce this achivement to attract more orders. In a 5 star hotel, a room was booked, for 40 people food arrangements/ second - Moti Mahal,a leading Restaurant owners in Amritsar/Jullunder with over 50 years in business, known for best punjabi veg/non-veg. food, opened an outlet at Mumbai called 'AsliDhaba'. They were told by some of their well wisheers that they must have proper coverage in media to attact customers. some con 'PR' man promised excellent media coverage for a price plus booze/dinner and gifts to about 30 people. Poor chap, organised every thing that was told. spent almost over rs.50,000/- (inlate 80s/0r early 90s). 3o people came,had a good time, collected the gifts and went.Not a single line appeared in the media. One of the owners friend, was up-set. His wife was working in my dept. since my colleague knew my close connections with Behram contractor, Editor Afternoon (who had a regular column on food, particulary on new outlets) apprached me for help, indicating what had happened. I felt pity for him. I promised help,as a friend. I took Behram contractor and he after having a chatwith the owner for 2 hours,and tasting different items (their specialities) wrote almost a full oage report with photos of some items. esult - with in 2 days business grew 40% and in one month weekends were 'house full'. The owher, being very happy,asked for my fees. I politely told I have helped my friend's friend. But suggested sending a good bottle of 'scotch' to Behram, as he loved drinks to a limit, which I knew. In my case I am a good for nothing fellow - no drinks - no non-veg - not even paan/cigarets. ButI promised to visit him once withmy family, as my wife/children were non-veg. But could not find time to take them. The worst part is after a year,I decided to take them,only to find that during the 'riots' 'asli-dhaba' was looted and totally finished by his rivals ( a restarant owned by a marathi minister which lost business due to 'asli dhaba' being just oppoiste) under the pretext that they had employed 'muslim cooks'.. I recall, having advised to ourCMD on many occasions that as to when to hold a press conference and when not to hold and assure of mediacoverage just with a press release. s.n.surkund --- On Thu, 10/15/09, Narendran A <naren_vna@yahoo.
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