Ron Levy (10/29):
New business for Council members and other PR firms may soon be sharply higher for two reasons. 1. As companies see with increasing clarity how legislation by the new Congress can mean hundreds of millions in profits or losses by large companies, and survival or demise for smaller firms, we can expect a sharp increase in PR aimed at influencing legislators and the administration. As babies cry when hungry or wet, corporate and industry executives cry out when hungry for government action in the public interest--or when uncomfortable because of government over-regulation that is a damper on freedom to succeed.
2. The recent announcement in this newsletter's story, "PR Vets Form RFP Consultancy," names a company of very savvy PR executives who for a fee will help companies and associations choose a PR firm. The election can have the effect of department store "door buster" ads for electronics and other merchandise in short supply. This is because there are only so many good PR firms in Washington, and only so many account people who can take on added duties, so the early birds get the best of what is wanted eagerly but hard to get.
What the late birds gets is not the worm but may be the recent and less experienced arrivals at Washington PR firms. The new RFP consultancy mentioned in this newsletter's report, and perhaps other such firms that may follow, can help clients get the best people at the best firms.
When I lunched with this newsletter's Kevin McCauley, I was surprised that although he works from New York, he knew which Washington PR firms and senior execs were the strongest--and which were empty suits that only sounded good. The consulting firms may also have or be able to get this information, and clients will be more glad and comfortable to retain PR firms when the buyers know more about the quality of what they are buying.
The effect on America is likely to be positive. It's because effective PR produces more citizen aprticipation in government, the added participatiomn tends to produce better legislation and more intelligent enforcement, and better government is profitable for companies and the public alike. Ah to be a restaurant owner near the capitol in post-election time.
Ah to be a PR firm owner now that companies and industries recognize how more PR, and more wisdom in retaining counsel, can mean MUCH more in sales, earnings and freedom from overly restrictive regulation.
Joe Honick, GMA International Ltd (11/03):
Ron, unless you do not know the difference, what you preach in the first few lines of your comment is called "Lobbying" and not PR, the latter not requiring registration and revelation of funding sources.
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