I have to say, I can't remember a PR I've dealt with who has been less than lovely. I completely understand that their job is to do the best for their client, and it's my 'job' to make sure the product is right for my blog. Within those boundaries, the relationships I have built up are friendly and very helpful. (Maybe it helps I have an Oystercard!)
Oh god, these are pretty shocking, especially the story about the business class upgrade.
It's a good reminder for writers to value PRs and not be tempted to pull diva strops.
We're not all perfect and always 100% on the ball, but making mistakes or forgetting the info on the invitation can be forgiven if we remember manners and a good attitude.
So glad you posted this. It's very easy for journalists and bloggers to complain about PRs, when the actual PRs often don't have an opportunity to put their own side forward. Bloggers and journalists aren't perfect (I've been known to be a bit tardy with my email responses sometimes!)and so it's great to get a reminder like this that a good working relationship is down to both the PR and the journalist.
p.s Cannot believe how diva-ish some of these writers are!
It's good to redress the balance a little and hear the other side. The cocktails one really made me laugh. What kind of a horror would complain about there not being enough drinks?
Wow!! That all sounded so Hollywood. I can't believe the rudeness of people. Maybe because I am 'just' a blogger and new to it as well I would never ever expect a PR to give me anything let alone make the demands you mentioned above. Some of them were plain disgusting. I really hope that these people read your blog and see their behavior written down on paper.
That was also a fascinating insight into the behind the scenes of a launch. I recently emailed a PR sort of asking to be invited to a launch as the product sounded perfect for my blog. I had no idea of the going ons of a launch and the PR politely replied that it was invite only. I was fine with that and actually a little embarrassed that I had contacted her but then a fortnight later she got back in contact with me to say that a spot had opened up. At the time I was quite tickled that she kept me in mind and after reading your article I am more so now knowing the expense of a launch.
Thanks for posting this insightful piece. I think that it is especially useful for us bloggers who started their blog as a hobby and have absolutely no clue about the workings of the beauty industry.
*SHOCKED* I am embarrassed for these people, do they have no shame at all? It seems that the PR's have a pretty hard time with certain individuals! Shame on them!!!
I can totally believe these kind of incidents happening - really disgusting behaviour. I don't know how PR's do the jobs they do with a straight face. I was at a launch where two journalists arrived late and then proceeded to talk throughout the poor rep's presentation.
On the other side as a writer it can sometimes be just as bad. I recently contacted a woman who has brought out a natural skincare range - fairly new on the scene, but already stocked in a major dept. store. We arranged to meet, and I'd assumed she'd talk me through the range. Instead she seemed to think she was some sort of celebrity being interviewed, didn't show me any of the products - let alone offer a single sample! She just sat there with her arms crossed, giving me one sentence answers to each question and then stared at me blankly as if to say "next?" and occasionally said "shouldn't you be writing this down?" The rudest and most clueless person I've ever met. Was like being on a bad date!
The only question she had was along the lines of "and so these articles you write, has there been any feedback on whether they stimulate sales?" I ended up offering to get the bill (in order to get away quicker!) to which she answered, "well I wouldn't say no!"
These people should hire PR's who actually know what they're doing!
All the (proper) PR's I've dealt with do amazing jobs and some deserve a medal for what they have to put up with. Well done ladies (and the odd gent!)
I'm a consumer and I'm totally gobsmacked that companies would spend so much wooing writers. The beauty pages of magazines are very poor and the format tired, it hasn't changed in years. I no longer bother to look for the shade of lipstick the cover model is wearing because it never looks the same colour at the beauty counter and has probably been photoshopped. Since discovering beauty blogs I have cut back on my magazine purchases. I'm down to one random fashion magazine a month, 10 years ago I bought 6+. Blogs are a breath of fresh air and the format far more modern.
From a beauty consumer point of view (and me and my friends have been consumers for 15 years) it’s obvious that the firms are trying to buy good press and are going to ever more ridiculous and expensive lengths to do so. Its all also obvious that many beauty writers are willing to be bought. Whether the product is any good or not is almost irrelevant. Perhaps the firms should be made to declare lists of what they gave out to who, and how much the products and the launches cost. I for one am getting a bit sick of all the favourable reviews.
I always thought a career in PR would be great, no hassle and no awkward customers. I've always been in jobs where I've had to deal with some really nasty people... How wrong I was thinking that PR was a way out of that!
Just shows that PR isn't the easiest job in the world nor do you deal with the nicest people it would seem!
I've never had any dealings with PR as a blogger but this post opened my eyes!
I am utterly shocked! Also, I kind of feel sorry for the assistants who are made to say all this stuff to PR's because I would imagine they'd be extremely embarrassed! I know I would be embarrassed if I had to complain on behalf of my 'up their own arse' boss
This is such a good post to read. I've just been invited to my first product launch and I feel nothing but grateful to have been invited. I can't believe the nerve of some of these people and I wonder if I'll run into some of these jerks soon :S
Honestly it sounds as though the p/r's have experienced the usual ton of silliness from, umm, non-professionals.
Apart from a generous sampling of product, enough with the vouchers, trips, etc. That's a treacherous creepy way to do business that is rather frowned upon by many publications and bloggers are required to post gifts, money, favors etc given that they will write about.
I see so many companies grouching on twitter about receiving a note or email without, gasp, their name. Really hard to have a proper who's blog is it list I think.
It's as simple as a food chain .. each needing the other and there will always be people with lousy greedy sloppy manners.
I think most manage themselves professionally and reasonably on all fronts.
Who do these writers think they are? So incredibly rude and shameless...I never dreamed things might be like this...Thank you for letting us (=the readers) know...PR's lives must be hard sometimes!!!!!
Yeah, when you've not been to bed as yet because your on deadline; your editor pulls an impromptou meeting or the subs decide your copy needs changing at the last minute; a still-life photographer whose shooting for you is having a temper tantrum down the phone or your frantically running around a prop hous in North Acton for a massive budget shoot the next day SOMETIMES it seems like a good idea to send your assistant/intern to the launch of yet ANOTHER mascara/ summer fragrance/ hand cream than miss the launch at all. Totally understand that may not be to everybodies liking, but remember that interns are often massively over-qualified and doing an Assistant's job for free and that many Assistants are of almost deputy beauty editor level and would be if Publishers weren't so tight. These girls will all be Beauty Editors/ Directors at some point so why be sniffy about them?
intelligent girls who are doing an Assistant job for free and that Assistants are
I am not shocked by any of this having been a 'writer' for twenty years. I personally pride myself on treating PRs with the same respect they pay me. I must be doing something right as the PR industry voted me as one of the top 50 journalists on Twitter! But with regard to the intern going to the event I have to say it is better the intern goes than no one goes. I have had some amazing interns who actually report back brilliantly from events as it is all new to them so they ask lots of questions and are genuinely interested. Would the brand prefer no one attended if I can't? At least the intern brings the product and press release back to me with full feedback and then it has a chance of being written about. I do know one very very well known 'writer' who has two very high profile freelance jobs and has had them for years - when I met her for coffee a few months ago I was shocked as she told me: "I never go to PR events, no point as I am freelance and I don't get paid to go to them." Bad attitude and you would all be shocked if I did name her. Of course I won't as it is not my nature to 'name and shame'. Good work, great post.
Years ago, I was asked to do one day per week on a freelance basis as a PR for a beauty brand. I lasted one morning, as the "writers" were so rude to me on the phone. I ended up in tears after a few hours. I now think that every writer should be made to do one day to get a taste for what PRs have to put up with.
I did once ask a PR to send a bag of products onto me after a breakfast meeting - but only because it was the first meeting of the day and I had to spend the next 8 hours getting across London (on public transport) and knew I couldn't manage it. I'm really shocked by some of these stories - it's such a shame that PRs can't blacklist some of these people, but they work for some of the top publications I imagine, so the writers know that there's no chance of that ever happening.
Anon makes a very good point..there are always cases where sending 'someone' is better than no presence at all, and the very nature of journalism is that there are last-minute challenges that change the course of your day - but these are the minority. The point of the post is to give a voice to PRs who don't have one, but please remember that journalists too don't have a voice - there is no column in their mag/paper/blog where they can have a rant. For every one writer that behaves like the ones in the feature there are hundreds that don't.
Insightful post BBB and makes a good read for those who are rude or critical of good pr's. I can only imagine the demanding nature of some editor's/writer's and how swiftly pr's have to bend over backwards for them but all in all respect and manners cost nothing and works both ways. Bloggers too have to remember that pr's are working hard to accommodate them and their recent descent on the beauty industry, so would probably help if they weren't such harsh critics of the pr role. Budgets are tight although high but demand for products are great so these relations are not to be abused.
In my previous career I was constantly dealing with PRs and so many of them went out of their way to be helpful...and yet they got so much flak from clients and other firms because 'this wasn't to my liking' or 'that should have been like this' etc etc
I'm glad you wrote this, its nice to see the flip side of bad PRs being discussed xx
I used to work in PR and I don't understand why everyone is so shocked about the 'writer's behaviour'.
I mean yes, rudeness is totally unnecessary and blogger extravaganza as well. But seriously guys, PR is advertisement only the cheaper and more sneaky way. Do you complain that the Julian Roberts Lancome add probably cost 10s of millions of Dollars/ Euros/ Pounds, and then they end up putting that little banner on your website and you get paid for that. Noone would find that weird.
It's the same with PR. They want you to think they are lovely (and they probably are), they are superpolite on the phone while probably bitching about the fact that you are not posting enough about this or that product although they have pampered you beyond belief.
But you know, even if you get free samples here and there, you are just a very, very cheap way to advertise for them. Instead of buying a page in glamour magazine for a tenthousand Euros/Pounds/ Dollars, they just send you a sample for 50 Pounds. So I do not really pitty any PR person.
And yes, this is a broad generalization and there are amazing PRs out there who really believe in their Brands and manage to position them amazingly and don't just 'use' bloggers but are really convinced that the word of their product should be spread.
Absolutely amazing that some writters think they can act like a celebrity ! Disgusting from jlo and even more foul from the writters ! Fantastic post !
Has anyone noticed a difference since The Bribery Act came into force in July?
The act creates three main offences:
* bribing a person to induce or reward them to perform a relevant function improperly * requesting, accepting or receiving a bribe as a reward for performing a relevant function improperly * using a bribe to influence a foreign official to gain a business advantage.
It's not just the fashion/beauty industry this is prevalent in. A few years ago I was working in IT PR and arranged a mammoth event at the Biennale in Venice - Business Class flights and 5 star accommodation were insisted on by all the journos we invited, some cancelled the day before, and two just didn't bother to turn up at all.....
The post is very interesting so are the comments. I would like to add one more thing. Certain prs do encourage this certain behaviour though. I recently attended a press day where the pr even though had sent me ten million messages when I signed in, she leapt over my shoulder showed her disapproval at the publication I work for, didn't care to say hi or give me a press release and then at the end she made sure I understood that the big bags staffed with gifts and free stuff were only for the big name editors. I understand this but prs do have a tendency to lavish the big publications and then ignore everyone else even though they invite you at their launch. In my opinion they shouldnt complain when editors or writers ask them to upgrade them. They encourage this greediness.
Definitely time for a shake-up. I feel for the PRs as there are a lot of out of control egos out there (as well as lots of lovely writers). But the industry does need a bit of a shake-up. I think the value brands get out of a multi thousand £ launch nowadays is far less than back in the day as its such an old and tired format. What's next? What's new and interesting that will grab the bored and demotivated writers' attention? Writers also need to understand, like many people have commented above, that people don't listen to what they read in magazines anymore.There is a question mark over integrity. Everyone knows that brands that advertise take precedent. Which magazine has an 'unbiased' section based on products the writer actually enjoys? Products that the writer has sought out? None of them. It tends to be the freelance writers that are a bit more innovative with the brands they feature. What's the future? How do we get the writers interested in beauty again and how to we modernise old PR practices?
I get so happy when a PR contacts me to send me products. I always say I will review it honestly and have never had any of them say well don't review it if you don't like it, we don't want anything negative said about the product.
I'd never have the Gall to ask for an upgrade to first class, nor for a voucher or flowers or anything like that. Some people think they're entitled and show their true colours. I think the PR's will deal with the Diva's less and less and sending an Intern to a Launch when a specific person was invited is rude, especially if the Intern requests a car back to the office or next appointment. Some people really do need to be taken down a peg or two.
It's really interesting reading all the comments back, especially the flipside. There are always 2 sides to every story but in my opinion manners cost nothing and can gain you everything. Its just common courtesy, and i've never understood why some people (in all walks of life) seem to think they are above it
Love your blog re the nightmares we pr's face! Incredible. Sadly partly what has made the industry so different now is the fact that there are so many Pr companies all trying to do the same thing - for some reason many think the job is a doddle and easy way to make money. In the past beauty journos wld have to liaise with prob six Pr companies and those pr's in-house - now it seems to be the perfect job for every Tom dick and Harry! And it is them that in many ways have been responsible for this nightmare, filling up journos/bloggers in boxes until they burst with brands that never cld afford Pr and now don't need to aspire and invest in our services but instead hand to mouth - sell a few products, pay the minimal Pr fee and so on.
15 years ago PR was viewed as special and worthwhile and no client would dream of suggesting fees of £500 per month - some Prs agree so it is downhill all the way.
So I suppose the reason why journos rarely pick up the phone anymore or read/answer emails is that they are inundated with multitudes of rubbish and don't have time to sieve it out.
Cannot believe the shocking use of grammar in this post, are you really a writer?
Anonymous said... Yeah, when you've not been to bed as yet because your on deadline; your editor pulls an impromptou meeting or the subs decide your copy needs changing at the last minute; a still-life photographer whose shooting for you is having a temper tantrum down the phone or your frantically running around a prop hous in North Acton for a massive budget shoot the next day SOMETIMES it seems like a good idea to send your assistant/intern to the launch of yet ANOTHER mascara/ summer fragrance/ hand cream than miss the launch at all. Totally understand that may not be to everybodies liking, but remember that interns are often massively over-qualified and doing an Assistant's job for free and that many Assistants are of almost deputy beauty editor level and would be if Publishers weren't so tight. These girls will all be Beauty Editors/ Directors at some point so why be sniffy about them?
intelligent girls who are doing an Assistant job for free and that Assistants are
One thing that always sticks with me about PRs is they are professional to the very end. I've seen lots of journos, writers and bloggers complain and complain about PRs with their blanket emails, 'dear blogger' salutations and misjudged pitches, but PRs very rarely speak out about the shoddy treatment THEY get.
It's nice to see the balance redressed slightly, and of course, anonymously!
43 comments:
I have to say, I can't remember a PR I've dealt with who has been less than lovely. I completely understand that their job is to do the best for their client, and it's my 'job' to make sure the product is right for my blog. Within those boundaries, the relationships I have built up are friendly and very helpful. (Maybe it helps I have an Oystercard!)
that last one was shocking! I don't understand how someone can be so rude? x
Fantastic post & fair play to you for giving PRs a voice. Many of the above resonate with me as the reasons I no longer work in the industry!
Nic x
Oh god, these are pretty shocking, especially the story about the business class upgrade.
It's a good reminder for writers to value PRs and not be tempted to pull diva strops.
We're not all perfect and always 100% on the ball, but making mistakes or forgetting the info on the invitation can be forgiven if we remember manners and a good attitude.
WOW!!!
WOW!!
WOW!
Thank you SO MUCH for doing this post, it is so insightful for everyone.
Cannot believe the cheek of the 'first class' and the gift voucher stories. Makes me furious and embarrased for them.
Sounds just like the devil wears prada.. Makes me glad I'm not in that business
So glad you posted this. It's very easy for journalists and bloggers to complain about PRs, when the actual PRs often don't have an opportunity to put their own side forward. Bloggers and journalists aren't perfect (I've been known to be a bit tardy with my email responses sometimes!)and so it's great to get a reminder like this that a good working relationship is down to both the PR and the journalist.
p.s Cannot believe how diva-ish some of these writers are!
Wooow!!! I have a new found respect for PR's now
It's good to redress the balance a little and hear the other side. The cocktails one really made me laugh. What kind of a horror would complain about there not being enough drinks?
Just goes to show you there are jerks in every line of work. Sheesh makes me shake my head in shame. Excellent post!
One wonders who put those writers up on such high pedestals. Hello of a long way to fall...
Wow!! That all sounded so Hollywood. I can't believe the rudeness of people. Maybe because I am 'just' a blogger and new to it as well I would never ever expect a PR to give me anything let alone make the demands you mentioned above. Some of them were plain disgusting. I really hope that these people read your blog and see their behavior written down on paper.
That was also a fascinating insight into the behind the scenes of a launch. I recently emailed a PR sort of asking to be invited to a launch as the product sounded perfect for my blog. I had no idea of the going ons of a launch and the PR politely replied that it was invite only. I was fine with that and actually a little embarrassed that I had contacted her but then a fortnight later she got back in contact with me to say that a spot had opened up. At the time I was quite tickled that she kept me in mind and after reading your article I am more so now knowing the expense of a launch.
Thanks for posting this insightful piece. I think that it is especially useful for us bloggers who started their blog as a hobby and have absolutely no clue about the workings of the beauty industry.
*SHOCKED* I am embarrassed for these people, do they have no shame at all? It seems that the PR's have a pretty hard time with certain individuals! Shame on them!!!
WOW some writers need to get off their high horse eh?!
I can totally believe these kind of incidents happening - really disgusting behaviour. I don't know how PR's do the jobs they do with a straight face. I was at a launch where two journalists arrived late and then proceeded to talk throughout the poor rep's presentation.
On the other side as a writer it can sometimes be just as bad. I recently contacted a woman who has brought out a natural skincare range - fairly new on the scene, but already stocked in a major dept. store. We arranged to meet, and I'd assumed she'd talk me through the range. Instead she seemed to think she was some sort of celebrity being interviewed, didn't show me any of the products - let alone offer a single sample! She just sat there with her arms crossed, giving me one sentence answers to each question and then stared at me blankly as if to say "next?" and occasionally said "shouldn't you be writing this down?" The rudest and most clueless person I've ever met. Was like being on a bad date!
The only question she had was along the lines of "and so these articles you write, has there been any feedback on whether they stimulate sales?" I ended up offering to get the bill (in order to get away quicker!) to which she answered, "well I wouldn't say no!"
These people should hire PR's who actually know what they're doing!
All the (proper) PR's I've dealt with do amazing jobs and some deserve a medal for what they have to put up with. Well done ladies (and the odd gent!)
I'm a consumer and I'm totally gobsmacked that companies would spend so much wooing writers. The beauty pages of magazines are very poor and the format tired, it hasn't changed in years. I no longer bother to look for the shade of lipstick the cover model is wearing because it never looks the same colour at the beauty counter and has probably been photoshopped. Since discovering beauty blogs I have cut back on my magazine purchases. I'm down to one random fashion magazine a month, 10 years ago I bought 6+. Blogs are a breath of fresh air and the format far more modern.
From a beauty consumer point of view (and me and my friends have been consumers for 15 years) it’s obvious that the firms are trying to buy good press and are going to ever more ridiculous and expensive lengths to do so. Its all also obvious that many beauty writers are willing to be bought. Whether the product is any good or not is almost irrelevant. Perhaps the firms should be made to declare lists of what they gave out to who, and how much the products and the launches cost. I for one am getting a bit sick of all the favourable reviews.
I always thought a career in PR would be great, no hassle and no awkward customers. I've always been in jobs where I've had to deal with some really nasty people... How wrong I was thinking that PR was a way out of that!
Just shows that PR isn't the easiest job in the world nor do you deal with the nicest people it would seem!
I've never had any dealings with PR as a blogger but this post opened my eyes!
Gosh I had no idea at all, how can people have the nerve to act in such a way!? thankyou for such an excellent eye opening post!
Joselin
xxx
Cringe! Some people are so rude!
A very interesting post, its good to see both sides to the story now. Its a shame people are SO rude.
I am utterly shocked! Also, I kind of feel sorry for the assistants who are made to say all this stuff to PR's because I would imagine they'd be extremely embarrassed! I know I would be embarrassed if I had to complain on behalf of my 'up their own arse' boss
This is such a good post to read. I've just been invited to my first product launch and I feel nothing but grateful to have been invited. I can't believe the nerve of some of these people and I wonder if I'll run into some of these jerks soon :S
Fascinating post and respondes/terrible moments.
Honestly it sounds as though the p/r's have experienced the usual ton of silliness from, umm, non-professionals.
Apart from a generous sampling of product, enough with the vouchers, trips, etc. That's a treacherous creepy way to do business that is rather frowned upon by many publications and bloggers are required to post gifts, money, favors etc given that they will write about.
I see so many companies grouching on twitter about receiving a note or email without, gasp, their name. Really hard to have a proper who's blog is it list I think.
It's as simple as a food chain .. each needing the other and there will always be people with lousy greedy sloppy manners.
I think most manage themselves professionally and reasonably on all fronts.
Who do these writers think they are? So incredibly rude and shameless...I never dreamed things might be like this...Thank you for letting us (=the readers) know...PR's lives must be hard sometimes!!!!!
Yeah, when you've not been to bed as yet because your on deadline; your editor pulls an impromptou meeting or the subs decide your copy needs changing at the last minute; a still-life photographer whose shooting for you is having a temper tantrum down the phone or your frantically running around a prop hous in North Acton for a massive budget shoot the next day SOMETIMES it seems like a good idea to send your assistant/intern to the launch of yet ANOTHER mascara/ summer fragrance/ hand cream than miss the launch at all. Totally understand that may not be to everybodies liking, but remember that interns are often massively over-qualified and doing an Assistant's job for free and that many Assistants are of almost deputy beauty editor level and would be if Publishers weren't so tight. These girls will all be Beauty Editors/ Directors at some
point so why be sniffy about them?
intelligent girls who are doing an Assistant job for free and that Assistants are
I am not shocked by any of this having been a 'writer' for twenty years. I personally pride myself on treating PRs with the same respect they pay me. I must be doing something right as the PR industry voted me as one of the top 50 journalists on Twitter! But with regard to the intern going to the event I have to say it is better the intern goes than no one goes. I have had some amazing interns who actually report back brilliantly from events as it is all new to them so they ask lots of questions and are genuinely interested. Would the brand prefer no one attended if I can't? At least the intern brings the product and press release back to me with full feedback and then it has a chance of being written about. I do know one very very well known 'writer' who has two very high profile freelance jobs and has had them for years - when I met her for coffee a few months ago I was shocked as she told me: "I never go to PR events, no point as I am freelance and I don't get paid to go to them." Bad attitude and you would all be shocked if I did name her. Of course I won't as it is not my nature to 'name and shame'. Good work, great post.
Years ago, I was asked to do one day per week on a freelance basis as a PR for a beauty brand. I lasted one morning, as the "writers" were so rude to me on the phone. I ended up in tears after a few hours. I now think that every writer should be made to do one day to get a taste for what PRs have to put up with.
I did once ask a PR to send a bag of products onto me after a breakfast meeting - but only because it was the first meeting of the day and I had to spend the next 8 hours getting across London (on public transport) and knew I couldn't manage it. I'm really shocked by some of these stories - it's such a shame that PRs can't blacklist some of these people, but they work for some of the top publications I imagine, so the writers know that there's no chance of that ever happening.
One word for the offenders in these stories; a""holes!
Anon makes a very good point..there are always cases where sending 'someone' is better than no presence at all, and the very nature of journalism is that there are last-minute challenges that change the course of your day - but these are the minority. The point of the post is to give a voice to PRs who don't have one, but please remember that journalists too don't have a voice - there is no column in their mag/paper/blog where they can have a rant. For every one writer that behaves like the ones in the feature there are hundreds that don't.
Insightful post BBB and makes a good read for those who are rude or critical of good pr's.
I can only imagine the demanding nature of some editor's/writer's and how swiftly pr's have to bend over backwards for them but all in all respect and manners cost nothing and works both ways.
Bloggers too have to remember that pr's are working hard to accommodate them and their recent descent on the beauty industry, so would probably help if they weren't such harsh critics of the pr role. Budgets are tight although high but demand for products are great so these relations are not to be abused.
In my previous career I was constantly dealing with PRs and so many of them went out of their way to be helpful...and yet they got so much flak from clients and other firms because 'this wasn't to my liking' or 'that should have been like this' etc etc
I'm glad you wrote this, its nice to see the flip side of bad PRs being discussed xx
I used to work in PR and I don't understand why everyone is so shocked about the 'writer's behaviour'.
I mean yes, rudeness is totally unnecessary and blogger extravaganza as well. But seriously guys, PR is advertisement only the cheaper and more sneaky way. Do you complain that the Julian Roberts Lancome add probably cost 10s of millions of Dollars/ Euros/ Pounds, and then they end up putting that little banner on your website and you get paid for that. Noone would find that weird.
It's the same with PR. They want you to think they are lovely (and they probably are), they are superpolite on the phone while probably bitching about the fact that you are not posting enough about this or that product although they have pampered you beyond belief.
But you know, even if you get free samples here and there, you are just a very, very cheap way to advertise for them. Instead of buying a page in glamour magazine for a tenthousand Euros/Pounds/ Dollars, they just send you a sample for 50 Pounds. So I do not really pitty any PR person.
And yes, this is a broad generalization and there are amazing PRs out there who really believe in their Brands and manage to position them amazingly and don't just 'use' bloggers but are really convinced that the word of their product should be spread.
Just saying.
Absolutely amazing that some writters think they can act like a celebrity ! Disgusting from jlo and even more foul from the writters !
Fantastic post !
Has anyone noticed a difference since The Bribery Act came into force in July?
The act creates three main offences:
* bribing a person to induce or reward them to perform a relevant function improperly
* requesting, accepting or receiving a bribe as a reward for performing a relevant function improperly
* using a bribe to influence a foreign official to gain a business advantage.
It's not just the fashion/beauty industry this is prevalent in. A few years ago I was working in IT PR and arranged a mammoth event at the Biennale in Venice - Business Class flights and 5 star accommodation were insisted on by all the journos we invited, some cancelled the day before, and two just didn't bother to turn up at all.....
The post is very interesting so are the comments. I would like to add one more thing. Certain prs do encourage this certain behaviour though. I recently attended a press day where the pr even though had sent me ten million messages when I signed in, she leapt over my shoulder showed her disapproval at the publication I work for, didn't care to say hi or give me a press release and then at the end she made sure I understood that the big bags staffed with gifts and free stuff were only for the big name editors. I understand this but prs do have a tendency to lavish the big publications and then ignore everyone else even though they invite you at their launch. In my opinion they shouldnt complain when editors or writers ask them to upgrade them. They encourage this greediness.
Definitely time for a shake-up.
I feel for the PRs as there are a lot of out of control egos out there (as well as lots of lovely writers). But the industry does need a bit of a shake-up. I think the value brands get out of a multi thousand £ launch nowadays is far less than back in the day as its such an old and tired format. What's next? What's new and interesting that will grab the bored and demotivated writers' attention?
Writers also need to understand, like many people have commented above, that people don't listen to what they read in magazines anymore.There is a question mark over integrity. Everyone knows that brands that advertise take precedent. Which magazine has an 'unbiased' section based on products the writer actually enjoys? Products that the writer has sought out? None of them. It tends to be the freelance writers that are a bit more innovative with the brands they feature.
What's the future? How do we get the writers interested in beauty again and how to we modernise old PR practices?
I get so happy when a PR contacts me to send me products. I always say I will review it honestly and have never had any of them say well don't review it if you don't like it, we don't want anything negative said about the product.
I'd never have the Gall to ask for an upgrade to first class, nor for a voucher or flowers or anything like that. Some people think they're entitled and show their true colours. I think the PR's will deal with the Diva's less and less and sending an Intern to a Launch when a specific person was invited is rude, especially if the Intern requests a car back to the office or next appointment. Some people really do need to be taken down a peg or two.
Interesting reading, thanks for posting it.
It's really interesting reading all the comments back, especially the flipside. There are always 2 sides to every story but in my opinion manners cost nothing and can gain you everything. Its just common courtesy, and i've never understood why some people (in all walks of life) seem to think they are above it
Love your blog re the nightmares we pr's face! Incredible. Sadly partly what has made the industry so different now is the fact that there are so many Pr companies all trying to do the same thing - for some reason many think the job is a doddle and easy way to make money. In the past beauty journos wld have to liaise with prob six Pr companies and those pr's in-house - now it seems to be the perfect job for every Tom dick and Harry! And it is them that in many ways have been responsible for this nightmare, filling up journos/bloggers in boxes until they burst with brands that never cld afford Pr and now don't need to aspire and invest in our services but instead hand to mouth - sell a few products, pay the minimal Pr fee and so on.
15 years ago PR was viewed as special and worthwhile and no client would dream of suggesting fees of £500 per month - some Prs agree so it is downhill all the way.
So I suppose the reason why journos rarely pick up the phone anymore or read/answer emails is that they are inundated with multitudes of rubbish and don't have time to sieve it out.
Cannot believe the shocking use of grammar in this post, are you really a writer?
Anonymous said...
Yeah, when you've not been to bed as yet because your on deadline; your editor pulls an impromptou meeting or the subs decide your copy needs changing at the last minute; a still-life photographer whose shooting for you is having a temper tantrum down the phone or your frantically running around a prop hous in North Acton for a massive budget shoot the next day SOMETIMES it seems like a good idea to send your assistant/intern to the launch of yet ANOTHER mascara/ summer fragrance/ hand cream than miss the launch at all. Totally understand that may not be to everybodies liking, but remember that interns are often massively over-qualified and doing an Assistant's job for free and that many Assistants are of almost deputy beauty editor level and would be if Publishers weren't so tight. These girls will all be Beauty Editors/ Directors at some
point so why be sniffy about them?
intelligent girls who are doing an Assistant job for free and that Assistants are
One thing that always sticks with me about PRs is they are professional to the very end. I've seen lots of journos, writers and bloggers complain and complain about PRs with their blanket emails, 'dear blogger' salutations and misjudged pitches, but PRs very rarely speak out about the shoddy treatment THEY get.
It's nice to see the balance redressed slightly, and of course, anonymously!
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