Newsletter PR: The Good, Bad and Ugly
The Truth About PR and The Spin Crowd
by Anjelica Cummings on 09/28/2010
I can honestly confess that I have a genuine addiction to reality T.V. Earlier this month a new reality television show, The Spin Crowd, was launched following a Los Angeles public relations firm, Command PR, and the lives of its celebrity publicists. Have I seen every episode of The Spin Crowd? Yes. Do I think it sheds any light on a true career in public relations? No.
From spray tans to lip injections to lavish vacations and home renovations, there is little focus on the public relations industry itself. Instead, we get ...
The Spin Crowd Myths:
Myth #1 -- PR is a 24/7 glamorous job.
The truth is that there are exciting and attractive times to be had in PR, but don’t forget what leads up to any big event -- long days of planning, coordinating schedules, rescheduling schedules and trying your best to avoid any and every crisis.
Myth #2 -- PR is a celebrity- and events-driven industry.
There are moments when you have the chance to meet famous individuals or to be a part of an exciting event, but few people see what happens behind the scenes. Stay in PR long enough, and you will most likely experience running flights of stairs in high heels for a client, cleaning a bathroom that’s not up to par before an event, or washing the dishes when the event is over and everyone has gone home.
Myth #3 -- PR requires women to have a beautiful face and perfect physique.
Your sophisticated image is important and a reflection of the company at large, but it is not going to keep your job. You have to demonstrate quality work, show you have substance and make your value obvious. If you can’t do that, you and your cute outfit will be shown the door.
The Spin Crowd and others like it give a cloudy reflection of a life in PR. Outside of the television depiction, what’s really the reality? Such as ...
- PR is for the creative thinker. If you can’t think out of the box, then step aside.
- You have to be able to adapt to constant change. Be able to accept and overcome the bumps in the road.
- Strong writing, research, speaking abilities and an attention to detail are all essentials to your success.
- Nothing is beneath you no matter what job title you carry.
- You must be quick on your feet. We don’t have time to move at a snail's pace around here -- everyone is running the sprint.
- A dedication and commitment to learning is mandatory. Our motto is that learning is not an option.
- You must build relationships with clients, the media and your coworkers. You must have a welcoming personality, because a job in PR cannot be accomplished within a bubble.
If anyone else has watched The Spin Crowd and is involved in PR in any way, I would love to hear your comments about how it reflects the industry.
Kate Catlin said...
Awesome post, Anjelica. I have also watched every episode and it makes my blood boil. I love the way they just sit in the office and gossip as though they don’t have a thing to do - definitely not an accurate portrayal of the atmosphere in most PR firms.
Sep 29, 2010
Faye Fang said...
I totally agree! I had to stop watching after that girl went through with the lip injections. Also love how their brainstorming “meeting” was just each person throwing out a celeb name. Unreal.
Sep 30, 2010
laura said...
the show is based in LA. LA is a different world. your appearance can make or break you. also they are in CELEBRITY PR. It’s their niche so yeah their life is like that.. glamorous. They work with brand liaisons and celebrity promotions. do your research before you bash a great show!
Oct 01, 2010
Karrica said...
this article is really great Jel. So many people see PR and think its a fun world of planning parties. But on the contrary is countless hours of work, some fun and some; not so much. And people are not aware, ‘Command PR,’ is a company focused on brand management using celebrity clientele as a marketing tool. Do not even get me started on Fashion PR… Its our world and we love it!
Oct 02, 2010