Journalist lunches can be viewed as a perk by PRs. For foodies, those who view relationship building as the most important part of their role or those just wanting to escape their desk and office for a while, lunch excursions are something to be relished.  On the other hand, however, if you’re stuck talking about an industry that you don’t have a natural affinity with, they can be a painful, drawn-out process!

Whether you love or hate them, I wonder if we, as PR people, put in enough thought when choosing a restaurant.

Sure, there are basic questions such as whether the journalist has allergies or any food they just don’t like, but are there different rules of etiquette that should be adhered to when at lunch with client and journalist together, rather than a one-on-one?

Another thing to consider: does the choice or style of restaurant have any impact on the outcome of the lunch or the journalist relationship?  Is choosing tapas at Polpo, Fino or Salt Yard going to create a convivial atmosphere or will sharing all those small plates just be messy?  By going somewhere formal such as Murano, do we risk creating a stilted or strained atmosphere, or could this be advantageous if there are various areas of discussions that your client wants to avoid?

Whatever the restaurant you decide on, one of the main meal components must be a tipple!  It sounds simple, but ensuring that a journalist is offered a drink, (frequently and repeatedly) is, according to some, the most important rule of PR lunch etiquette.

But be sure to do some research into the journalist’s preferences beforehand. The more you know about them already, the better the lunch and the conversation can be. In short, making sure that the journalist has a good time will help you to strengthen your professional relationship, as well as help them get the story they need

If you have any favourite restaurants or tips, be sure to leave a comment.

Photo graciously borrowed from Locals Night Out

This misunderstanding of the scope of PR runs across TV as well – just think how many people in the world think PR is what Edwina does in Ab Fab, or the spin doctoring in the BBC’s Absolute Power. While it might be part of the job (sometimes) to drink champagne, hold random brainstorms in circular rooms or spend time at long client lunches, nothing as yet has truly encapsulated the work that goes in behind the scenes to these perks or the real scope of the role.

Perhaps it’s because PR is so multidimensional; even in our office the work I do from day to day can vary wildly from what my colleagues are up to. Maybe it’s down to the shifting nature of media relations/ corporate communications/ event management/ client management and the hundred other roles that PR can, and does, accomplish. I just know I still have trouble explaining what my job really entails to my parents when something we have done appears in the paper.  Should PR do a better job on its own coverage?