Now, as a veteran of the work experience circuit, I knew that the mundane/data entry/brutal scrutiny of my Kenco abilities tasks are what one normally expects. Not at Eulogy! Within half an hour of my arrival, I was given a live brief. Two hours later, a total of four staff members had approached me, not just merely on an introductory basis, but to see how I was getting on. This friendly attitude and willingness to help summed up my two weeks, and epitomises this company’s persona.

I was exposed to both the B2B and consumer sides of PR. For B2B, I worked on various pitches and press releases on a wide range of accounts, while for the consumer side I aided in the recent Monkey Shoulder promotional event and Viagogo, the online ticket exchange website, where, thanks to the wonderful guys at Sunderland Echo, I managed to secure my first printed press release. It’s an amazing feeling seeing something you’ve done in the public domain, and to think, I’d only been in the office a few days! That’s the thing here, you’re given a chance. Not many companies would have taken the time or risk but, it seems to me, Eulogy strives to encourage and teach all who walk through their office door.

However, this is an honest account, so one should mention the ONE mundane task assigned to me over my time here. Wrapping a surfboard for a contest winner. I’m still apologising for my ‘effort’.

The two weeks here have been incredible. What can I take away from my experience? Prior to my time here, I knew nothing about PR. I now leave with a deep understanding of the industry, a wealth of experience on all PR fronts, a desire to work in an encouraged creative environment and a new group of friends. Can I start my two weeks again please?

Matt

Both Stephen and Fernando demonstrated the beauty of the results that these techniques provide. PR agencies can produce definitive statistics with SEO and PPC campaigns – unequivocal results. Fantastic!

Stephen and Fernando also discussed the complexity of ownership with the group. Eulogy!’s well versed in SEO having completed a number of projects for clients, but Stephen confirmed our fears that the PR industry (and the marketing community at large) is yet to understand the practice.

Five years ago, SEO firmly belonged in the hands of search agencies. Then ad and digital agencies took a bite. And now PR agencies, too? Well, yes of course! It’s editorial. Who else is better placed to write authoritative copy, rich with brand messaging and keywords? SEO sits firmly within the online PR gambit. It amplifies what other marketing channels churn out. It seeds your content all over the shop to encourage people to click, to engage and to talk!

I am committed to working with bodies like the PRCA to carve out a fair share of ownership of online and social media budgets. We’ve seen a big move towards this in the industry. Sure it’s a struggle sometimes, like when clients refuse to acknowledge PR as anything but proof in a paper, but our digital revolution is increasingly inevitable.

We’re working hard to this speed along. As chief exec, it’s my job to drive the agency forward not only in terms of new business but also skills and professional development.We believe PR’s love affair with social media will be a hot and steamy one, and it’s only just begun.

But, as we all know, slacking is no longer the optimum way of keeping hold of your job in this troublesome climate. (In fact, one of the recurring themes at shows so far this year seems to be touting your services for a new job, rather than looking for fresh business leads, if 2009’s TFM&A is anything to go by.)

This job insecurity might be especially pertinent for event organisers. Marketing services stalwarts such as the IDMF and the DM Show have been consigned to the dustbin of history already, so there’s no room for anyone in conferences and exhibitions to rest on their laurels.

That said, the two-day, four-shows-in-one format adopted by Centaur for Marketing Week Live earlier this summer seems to have struck a chord. Not only did it give greater focus to several sprawling shows, it also allowed exhibitors, marketers and other visitors to chinwag with people they might not necessarily have made acquaintance with otherwise.

Anecdotally, the event was well received by visitors and exhibitors and, it has to be said, PR people on the hunt for new business leads. So despite the fact that large sections of the industry have been hamstrung by budget cuts this year, the business of show seems alive and kicking.