Why I don’t write this blog…and why I shouldn’t
For almost three decades now I have run a PR agency. As one of my books (PR For Dummies) became required reading at over 50 Universities in the United States, the one question I continue to get more than any other is “what is it really like” to work at your agency or in the industry in general? Every seasoned pro in the industry like me has a great story to tell. We tell the story from our point of view. That’s not “real”. It’s not “authentic”. And it’s as bias as can be. So after a few decades of ever so carefully managing the messaging, I turn the message over to the people who actually do the hard work! The generation that are the future of our industry. And I will embrace their perspective and a new and very important era of real and genuine communication, peer to peer, unscripted with no incentive to say anything but their perspective.
We will revolve several bloggers in and out of our corporate blog with only one rule, don’t say anything mean about my mother! Otherwise, here’s what the transparent generation has to say.
And as You Tube sensation David (after the dentist) with 20 million views would ask, “Is this real life”. Yes David it is. Real life in the day to day life of a pr practitioner in a rapidly changing landscape.
Today’s generation wants genuine transparency, authentic, peer to peer, “real” information. I thought the best way to answer the question in the future was to give the communication keys to a few of my most promising talent. Hear it from them. Not from me. “The transparent generation” born virtual with a mouse in their hand is the future of the practice of pr that I have loved so much.
Please do still buy my book, but as far as what your career will be like, ask your peers. They’ll tell it to you straight!
Come on now Eric. We see you everywhere else. Sounds like you are being transparently lazy! And by the way, “giving the keys” to people on your staff is just about as crazy of an idea as half the stuff you have done in your career.
Just saw you ask in your Facebook status if this was a good idea this morning. That was fast? And we all thought you really wanted our advice.This seems about as crazy of a communications idea as Strikeback, Tappening, Walk-a-Mile and your weekly comments on CNN and Fox. I suppose that means it will be a fabulous blog. Real curious to hear your people. But oh so wise one, how quick do you think every one of your people gets other job offers. Just saying.
Can you just give us home phone numbers for everyone we’re stealing from you now? I love following what you do, and now I can just take it. Yippee. Who does this in PR? Or anywhere.
Terrific idea. But I think we’d all like to hear from you now and then.
I wouldn’t worry Courtney. I’ve never seen Eric in any room he was quiet in. And Eric, I’m not sure if you will remember me, I worked at your agency 15 years ago. I’ve asked Ilana to set up a lunch with you (I’m paying). I owe my career to you.
You guys do cool stuff. Are you hiring?
Are you the big democratic strategist we all hate on Fox? You look like him (it’s not a compliment).
Was just checking out your website. I thought you had disappeared after you sold your company. Were you banished to Siberia or something? And who in their right mind starts a new agency after having done it once before. Not sure how I missed the mountain of press you seem to have gotten in the last couple of years, but it’s nice to see you back in the public eye. (I took a class at Georgetown that you guest lectured in five years ago.)
It’s hard to tell from the site, but it seems like you own everything you represent. Is that the deal?
I had heard of Tappening. Should have known it was you. It seems to be literally out of your book (PR For Dummies) with a new twist.
Just saw you on tv. Instead of sending you a mean e-mail, I’ll comment on your blog. For a big mouth know it all, you’re shockingly quiet on your own”blog”. Probably too busy being on tv and writing books. We get it, you’ve written a lot of books.
Hey Eric!!! Where you been? Last time I saw you was with John Grisham when you had your first office in NYC. While I’ve read a lot about you through the years, John did a little better. Of all places your name recently came up in a meeting with Heidi Klum (I assume you may recollect that you worked with her). She hates you! I staunchly defended you to no avail. How can I contact you directly?
And great blog concept here. Curious how much leeway you really give your little gang here?
Saw you on tv this morning. How do you do it? Seriously. I can’t give my name (for fear of pr retribution), but we’re all so sick and tired of hearing about stuff you do. Tappening is so over the top that I’m going to drink bottled water for the rest of my life as a silent protest to having to be compared to you and your gang. And now you’re a political pundit too. Googling your name is SICK. I beg of you to shut up for a while. Didn’t you sell your company? Wouldn’t something a little less stressful be appealing to you. Like gardening maybe?
Love this concept. But when your employee bloggers get you in more trouble than just your affinity for one jacket you wear, we’ll all use this an an example of a bad idea. We eat our young in this business and you’ve survived far to long smarty pants. Typically you to allow this. And while I’m absolutely hoping it’s a case study some day you don’t want to be in, I applaud your guts.
Smart concept.