Huffington Post Blogger Insults PR Professionals
I bill by the hour and will charge extra for being project manager of the Death Star.
It’s a tough line of work, being in Public Relations, what with all the evil we do.
Just ask the blogger at the Huffington Post who blithely portrayed public relations professionals as cynical, evil minions of “the dark side”:
Can you ever trust a PR person? If he’s working pro bono and has only six weeks of unemployment to his name, then the answer is probably.
After Kevin DeSoto , 41, was laid off after a 20-year career in PR and marketing — an industry which is sometimes cynically referred to as “the dark side” — he began using his social media savvy to help others… for free.
Note to blogger: “Can you ever trust a PR person?” Really? You actually wrote that with a straight face?
The story, titled Kevin DeSoto, Former PR Exec, Crosses Over to the Good Side (!) condescendingly compliments Mr DeSoto for his admirable work on behalf of people in need. I suppose that the author of the piece thought that his pro bono work would seem even more admirable if DeSoto’s recent change of fortune had transformed him from a killer of Jedi Knights into a pillar of the Forces of Good.
Yes, I know the “dark side” slam on PR has been around a while, but I’m challenging it anyway. Besides being a lame angle for a story and lazy stereotyping, it’s unfair to public relations professionals. It also cheapens what Mr. DeSoto is doing. To that end, Mr. DeSoto made a good point that was unfortunately met with a backhanded compliment:
Since leaving the corporate world, the former camera marketer says he has focused on “going back to the basics of true, honest PR and marketing,” which may sound oxymoronic but after being “burned” in the corporate world, DeSoto says he is confident his good deeds will pay off some day.
“I struggle with being optimistic about this sometimes, but I have a strong conviction that if you do the right thing, it will pay off some day. Good things can happen when you give your time, skills and resources to help someone with asking for anything in return.”
Most PR professionals I know do pro bono work as a matter of course in our careers, and it doesn’t take a sudden job loss to make that happen. On the whole as a profession we’re not unethical shills for nasty corporations that rape the environment or bilk taxpayers. No, most of us work for non-profits, hospitals, social causes and responsible companies. Yes, by telling our client’s story we help sell products and services–but that makes us a vital part of capitalism, not Lords of the Sith.
There are bad players in every profession–whether it be PR, journalism, law, medicine or even blogging. Tarring everyone with the same “dark side” brush isn’t fair or responsible.
You can trust me on that.
Alex has earned a reputation for success and ingenuity from his more than twenty years experience in public relations, journalism, marketing and broadcasting. His career has spanned several industries including healthcare, television, non-profit organizations and higher education.
His work in the news media included positions as an editor, journalist, radio talk show host and vice president of Kansas City Public Television.
He founded AlexanderG Public Relations, LLC in January 2010. AlexanderG PR is a member agency of PRConsultants Group, a collaborative made up of senior-level PR experts in every major market in the United States.
Alex wrote the bestselling crowdfunding ebook and audiobook "Kickstarter Success Secrets" and is also the award-winning author of several works of fiction, including the popular mystery novels "Pilate's Cross," "Pilate's Key," and "Pilate's Ghost," available wherever ebooks and paperbacks are sold.
Bravo!
Everyone has opinions, and the blogging world makes it so much easier to voice them. But, you remember what Mom said about not having anything nice to say. I take it one step further: If you don’t have anything constructive to say, do your career a favor and keep it to yourself.
To state all PR professionals are servants of the dark side is preposterous. While some perpetuate unpleasant stereotypes, there are many professionals who work alongside clients to educate and generate awareness on products and campaigns we all know, love, and appreciate.
In my experience, pro bono work is critical to the success of any PR professional, whether a full-time employee, self-employed, or unemployed. Why? You have to give in this world to truly benefit, and what better way than to donate your expertise to a worthwhile cause? Speaking from a purely business standpoint, what better way is there to gain credibility within the civic/business communities while showcasing your talent to board members who usually represent successful and influencial businesses or organizations?
P.T. Barnum is credited with saying, “There’s no such thing as bad publicity.” However, in the case of Sara Yin, one should remember that perception is everything and careers can be made or sunk based upon how your opinion is presented. Some may call it shoddy journalism or bitter resentment for a misunderstood industry. Me, I call it a prime candidate for lessons in the Power of Personal PR.
Dang, Keith–you are sooo much more clear than I am! Thanks for the great comment!
(I want to add that Kevin DeSoto is a great guy–I just felt that in telling his story the blogger in question unnecessarily hammered our entire profession.)
Alex, thanks for challenging The Huffer blogger’s lazy journalism. While they huff, puff and ahem at the world around them, they don’t contribute anything to communities, nonprofits and causes like most PR pros I know. Would be interesting to see if they put their money where their mouth is.
The problem with “news” as presented by The Huffer is that it sends a machine gun of hundreds of random opinions daily, masquerading as news. In effect, it runs without the journalistic integrity, ethics, fact checking and editorial oversight of the real media. As much as I enjoy reading The Huffer, there’s a reason a record-high 57% of people distrust the media. See story here http://politi.co/btMGLe Maybe it was intended as humor? At any rate, take The Huffer seriously? Not so much!
Thanks for your comment, Jeff. I think HuffPo has its place (and retweet/comment on many a story from it), but like you, I get little weary of the lack of editorial oversight. When I was a reporter for a large metro, I can tell you that I would’ve been roasted for a lot of stuff that happens on blogs these days under the guise of “journalism.”
Also–while I am commenting, thanks Tim T. for your comment but I won’t be posting personal attacks on my site.
Alex: Any time! You know this one hit close to home, so something needed to be said. (FYI, I follow Kevin DeSoto on twitter, and agree with your assessment).
Jeff: Right on the money! Want to know why some in the PR/media field are taken with a grain of salt? I refer you back to exhibit A.