All about PR = Public Relations

[Sampson Sunday]

...PR is for the birds. I dabble in PR at my job and while it comes easy to me, it's hard pretending to like everyone besides I do not get paid enough to sacrifice my self respect.

Just read this guys opinion and i couldn't agree more. I find people that work in PR are incredibly fake

 

[BetteT]

I'd be careful here ... we have lot's of PR people who are members here and they pop in. Some of them might take you to task, about these types of comments.

Although some publicists may be "fake" in thier own right, I think that it's more the work they do that might create that feeling. Publicists have to be "on" all the time, espcially at events. They must cater to their clients, make everything smooth, make sure that everyone loves their client/product/company and smile while they are doing it ... whether or not things are going well. or whether or not they are happy about it. So, yeah ... that can certainly strain one's nerves and perhaps be hard to hide. So a person might seem to be fake ... when they are just trying to do their job under very difficult circumstances.

But that happens in most types of work ... you must pretend that you like your work your boss, your customers, your coworkers ... or you will be accused of having a bad attitude or not treating your customers well, or being a bod influence on the other employees. It's not just in PR. It's working in the real world .... where they expect you to show a positive attitude ... no matter what.

 

[madara]

Does anyone know anything about "BerkeleyPR" company here? Their PR specific, daily tasks, their clients?

And any info about the "purple cow"? what does that mean?

 

[christrinity]

I'd be careful here ... we have lot's of PR people who are members here and they pop in. Some of them might take you to task, about these types of comments.

Although some publicists may be "fake" in thier own right, I think that it's more the work they do that might create that feeling. Publicists have to be "on" all the time, espcially at events. They must cater to their clients, make everything smooth, make sure that everyone loves their client/product/company and smile while they are doing it ... whether or not things are going well. or whether or not they are happy about it. So, yeah ... that can certainly strain one's nerves and perhaps be hard to hide. So a person might seem to be fake ... when they are just trying to do their job under very difficult circumstances.

But that happens in most types of work ... you must pretend that you like your work your boss, your customers, your coworkers ... or you will be accused of having a bad attitude or not treating your customers well, or being a bod influence on the other employees. It's not just in PR. It's working in the real world .... where they expect you to show a positive attitude ... no matter what.

Basically said everything I wanted to say as someone who works in PR, thanks BetteT!

 

[BetteT]

See ... I knew it ... we have lots of publicists here!

You are welcome .... we have to be kind to each other and understand the pressures. It's a tough world out there.

 

[zettie]

I got a job as a Communications Director of a luxury fashion mag straight out of college- at first it was REALLY scary because I was basically handling everything with no training (I majored in Geography) but it's almost better to dive right in and take a really hard job. You learn everything WAY faster. It's 2 years later and I now work on all our promos, Web stuff, I do all our Style & Social writing.

Here's a model search we're working on

How did you get this job right out of college?!?! I just graduated college in fashion merchandising and it is soo hard to find something right now??!!

 

[IWantToBeChloe]

It was kind of a fluke, but times were good (2006), there was an opening and I had a connection. I was told I didn't have enough experience, but I talked my way into an interview and planned a huge PR plan for our meeting. My interview was 10 hours long- I had to spend a whole day with the Pres of the company and prove I could shmooze/network.

I think it was the perfect storm- good timing, a good connection and a really good interview. I did start off with a fairly low salary, however.

 

[ad020417]

It was kind of a fluke, but times were good (2006), there was an opening and I had a connection. I was told I didn't have enough experience, but I talked my way into an interview and planned a huge PR plan for our meeting. My interview was 10 hours long- I had to spend a whole day with the Pres of the company and prove I could shmooze/network.

I think it was the perfect storm- good timing, a good connection and a really good interview. I did start off with a fairly low salary, however.

Wow, that really sounds impressive.

 

[Katie123]

is it easy to get in PR if you're doing a degree in fashion journalism? my course is taught alongside a promotion (pr + broadcast) one so i've seen presentations etc but haven't necessarily been taught anything about PR, i'm just going to try to get some work experience. would it be difficult?

 

[paintitblack]

Hi all, I need advice! I've got an interview to do a PR internship at Browns department store & was wondering what things should I take for the interview & whats the best way to prepare for it. Thank you!

 

[Katie123]

i would LOVE an opportunity to do a PR internship at Browns. do you have a lot of previous work experience??

good luck! i'm not much help...

 

[paintitblack]

i would LOVE an opportunity to do a PR internship at Browns. do you have a lot of previous work experience??

good luck! i'm not much help...

Ermm... not really I've work at a few retailers & worked at London Fashion Week last year.

 

[R'Chi]

NY Fashion PR

Hey,

I have started a label out of the city recently. Doing a fashion show in two weeks. I understand it is quite late, but I need a PR company or freelancer to work on this asap.

Can anybody recommend a good company?

I know all the big ones i.e. KCD, People's, Bismarck etc. I am more interested in freelancers (ex-employees of the mentioned company's who branched out on their own) or boutique firms that are quite capable.

Thank you for your suggestions.

 

[stylevirtuoso]

***Edited*** I am a fashion stylist, always in contact with multiple PR firms and freelancers. Do you know Deborah Hughes PR? What about London Misher, I have an associate who left there recently.

***Edited ****

Thanks

 

[gian-franco]

What are good places to study fashion pr in NYC (preferably)? or Paris?

 

[Squizree]

So I know it's been a while since anyone's posted here but I'm planning my journey to becoming a fashion PR.
Im currently doing an Arts degree in English, and I was wondering what kind of papers or topics I should focus on to direct myself and my career towards fashion PR.

Any information would be helpful.

Thanks

 

[.amahlia.]

same here
im starting college in september and my declared major is communications. my goal would be to work at a fashion PR firma in nyc.
would anyone reccomend a summer internship to gain experience first?

 

[christrinity]

I think if you are studying an English degree there is not much that you can really direct yourself towards Fashion PR. Apart from maybe some kind of writing class that might help you in writing press releases? I am not sure.

But to be honest I wouldn't worry too much, I did my degree in European Studies, and apart from the fact that I studied languages my other studies have nothing to do with my job now, and it was nothing to do with my studies that got me the job! That being said I was lucky in one sense. But hey you never know, you just need to do internships, unless you are studying a direct communications or PR course, the only way to get experience and to learn what Fashion Pr is all about is through internships either in-house or with an agency!

And anyway to be honest, even if you do a PR dedicated course, all the studying in the world can't prepare you for the actual realities of life in Fashion PR, here in Paris, they are very focused on only taking people from certain types of schools or courses of study, but every time one of them arrives, even if just for an interview, you realise very quickly that they probably don't understand what their day to day work will involve. It's not all about just sitting talking on the phone to journalists and then going to runway shows and parties, it's very physical stressful work, that's not always very well paid compared to some other areas of fashion and that takes a long time to gain any kind of foothold in! lol

 

[Squizree]

^ Wow that helps a lot. A lot!

 

[Squizree]

I have an internship interview with a Fashion PR company tomorrow!! I've practiced all my answers and stuff. But any tips?!?!?!