Thought Bubble
I was speaking with a friend recently regarding the passing of author J.D. Salinger. His initial comment – “How would anyone ever know?” – was both facetious and understandable. Notorious for guarding his privacy, Salinger is the opposite of many clients for whom we work – organizations eager to share their expertise and build their presence in their respective industries and among key constituencies.
While Salinger’s particular approach to his work and career was extreme for even the most publicity-shy among us, there is a lesson here for the communications field. There is a time to be visible and proactive, and there is a time to step back from the limelight. There are times to talk, and there are times to listen and observe.
This year, the Council of Public Relations Firms’ annual Critical Issues Forum was themed "Aftershock: Rebuilding Trust and Confidence in 2010.” Directly after the conclusion of the Forum, Ralph Katz and two other members of the Agency Management Committee (which is responsible for the Forum’s direction and content) were interviewed about their key takeaways from the event.
Check out comments from CooperKatz principal, Andy Cooper, in today’s issue of The Firm Voice, the online publication of the Council of Public Relations Firms.
In the piece titled “PR Firm Stimulus Package: Eleven Practical Strategies for Stimulating Business in 2010,” Andy shares insights on how re-launching our agency’s Web site expanded into a broader and highly-valuable exercise in reconnecting with what makes us unique – as well as rethinking how we present ourselves through all channels.
From time to time I am copied on nice notes from clients following a great hit or the execution of a successful event. Recently, however, I was cc’d on one of the most satisfying thank you notes I have ever seen. It was from our client to the CooperKatz director on the account. What made this thank you extra special was that it was not connected with a specific spectacular result. Rather, it was an out-of-the-blue note about the team of people we have assembled to work with her.