Being exposed to the PR business on a daily basis through MyPE I can appreciate the need that business has for the service of a good Public Relations Practitioner (try and say that 10 times quickly!).
This morning it was the turn of Michelle Brown from Brown’s PR to talk to the assembled NMBBC crowd about the PR Profession. Brown’s PR was established in 1988 and focuses on 3 aspects of PR; Corporate PR, Media Liason and Special Events Management.
Not afraid of a little bit of self deprecation Michelle was sporting a brand new (short) haircut, proud of being over 50 and not afraid to trumpet her severe lack of Facebooking skills; “Although I can BBM,” she said. “Aaaah a somewhat kindered spirit,” I thought to myself as I am quite proud of the fact that I do not carry a cellphone so Michelle and I do share some technological quirks.
I was glad to do some networking and met the tyre Angels from Continental Tyre as well as rival tyre firm, Goodyear who both remarked on the good PR that they had been getting from MyPE – dankie baie.
A quick head count showed that the gender split was 90:10 in favour of the fairer sex – so guys, make a mental note to come along to the next event and even the score up a bit ………. please.
Let me take you through the morning with some quotes from Michelle’s presentation:
- On what most (men) think PR entails; “Do you just stand at the door and look pretty?”
- On Kobus Wiese; “He is so large he couldn’t fit in the front seat of my car” and; “He is the only man I allow to call me Girlie, as I am a little bit afraid of him!”
- “You image secures your reputation which becomes your brand”
- “Team work is Dream Work”
- “Never say ‘No Comment’ to the media”
- “Stay in constant contact”
- “It is hard to establish contacts but even harder to maintain them”
- “We are incredibly warm and hospitable in this City”
- “A woman without girlfriends is a very lonely woman”
- “Get over Yourself”
- “A dear friend of mine” – said often
- “Breathe, count to 10, relax, there is always another option”
- “I am incredibly proud to be from PE”
Internal and external PR is about straight talk that conforms to a predetermined image for you or your business, I cannot stress anymore that money spent on a good PR Campaign is money well spent.
Related: Public Relations Companies in Port Elizabeth.
Alan Straton
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As somebody who doesn’t have that much to do with PR, its was a very interesting and eye opening talk by a lady who knows it all and knows it well.
She is the best, a woman of immense charm, intelligence and charisma. Wish she was with me on the Council! Terry Herbst
This was an awesome event….Michelle was fabulous, alot was learnt!!! She’s indeed one of PE’s PR Gurus