Friday, October 16, 2009

RE: [prpoint] Organizing Press conferences for no reasons

 

Hello

 

Interesting stories – thanks for sharing.

 

Recommending press conferences is almost a knee-jerk response, as many persons think erroneously that by just providing food in a good hotel the media will turn up. Some may, but definitely there will be no press coverage.  This is particularly so in today’s world of user generated news bites, tweets, blogs etc which already provide many news leads/news stories.

 

From my experience working in the public sector three factors need to be considered before a press conference is called:

 

a)    Is it newsworthy, new (developments/change in law etc) that needs to be clearly explained clarified/ explained to avoid confusing the public through misinterpreted reporting

b)    Is the news important enough for all media (esp the main media) to know/cover?

c)     Are there product samples/models etc available for filming/clarification/elucidation of any related announcement.

 

Whether the media turn up at every press conference called by an organisation/company is also very much dependant on its credibility – if it has a track record of calling for press conferences for really important events only, and the media gets news for the next day’s coverage at every conference – then when a press conference is called, the media will definitely turn up as past experience has shown that the organisation values the media’s time.

 

Under Singapore’s strict media and PR professional code and ethics, the acceptance of any gifts/ cash, favours etc in exchange for media coverage. If any favours are granted, the reporter/paper has to declare this if the story is carried – e.g. reporters who are flown to different places to write about the visit and the country.  The government is also considering introduction of legislation to cover bloggers etc – similar to the move in the US.

 

Happy Deepavali to all who will be celebrating it tomorrow.

 

Best Regards

Sulosana

 

 

 


 

From: prpoint@yahoogroups.com [mailto:prpoint@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Shivshankar Surkund
Sent: Thursday, 15 October, 2009 9:12 PM
To: prpoint@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [prpoint] Organizing Press conferences for no reasons

 

 

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/gifts were kept ready. The owners came to Mumba by plane to address the press.  Only 3 people that to from some marathi papers attended.

 

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.com> wrote:


From: Narendran A <naren_vna@yahoo.com>
Subject: [prpoint] Organizing Press conferences for no reasons
To: "Chennai PR club" <chennai_pr_club@yahoogroups.com>, "Prime Point" <prpoint@yahoogroups.com>, "New Media" <new_media_forum@yahoogroups.com>
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2009, 2:54 AM

 

Hi

I wish to highlight an event which received no media attention. A Pr agency invited media for a PC and the announcement was "a hotel chain was to organize a sport event". It was an ordinary announcement. Invites were issued to all the media and media did not turn up for the PC.

Where are we going wrong.Many of us forget the basics at times. Request members to share their thoughts and experience.

Best regards
Narren

 

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