Transitions Research’s Post

Communication is about more than media relations...

CHICAGO

WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU MEAN BY COMMS? Being asked this question as often as I have been asked, I now wonder about the popularity of the Communications career. We know what cinematographers, photographers, graphic designers, motion graphic designers, voiceover artists, content writers, and research writers do - but what does a Communications officer do really? WELCOME TO MY INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATIONS COURSE! Just kidding. It's pretty simple! Communications officers, especially in reputable organizations, have a good number of skills that enable them to represent their organization in the best possible way across paid, earned, shared, and owned media channels (i.e. online, on-air, and offline). Depending on how big the organization is, Communications officers have a unique opportunity to manage some of the most skilled artists, aligning them to the company's vision, mission, and goal, and directing them to achieve specific communications goals. If your company doesn't talk about what it does, no one will know. Communications Officers help companies announce their impact and value in the right networks and on the platforms that matter - all while managing people, learning new skills, developing budgets, defending budgets, and prioritizing tasks. When you see your company's Communications Officer next week, promise them an iced coffee. They deserve it! 😉 Tag them in the comments! #communications #communicationsofficer #multinationals

There are 6 PR pros for every 1 reporter! This story or one like it crops up every now and then causing anxiety for those of us in the business of communication and public relations. Add the fear of AI to the mix and it can create sleepless nights for some. But here's the catch...while the media is important, #communication is about more than media relations. When I was the head of public affairs for U.S. Department of Labor, there were 78 people in that office. Only about five regularly interacted with the media. Others were writers, graphic designers, video editors, TV and radio experts, speechwriters, photographers, digital specialists, and the list goes on. One more time for those in the back: Communication is about more than #MediaRelations. #CorporateCommunications #PublicRelations

Opportunities

As PRs, how often do we see brands rely on press releases as the default tactic for any external comms? I spoke to PRmoment about why a press release isn't always the best approach, and if you can't answer the "so what?" question, then a press release probably isn't the answer. https://lnkd.in/eDpCbh5f #pr #b2bpr #communications #pressrelease #prtips

I am #hiring. Know someone that is a seasoned strong writer, experienced in Executive Communications, Tech Writing, Internal Communications, and External Communications? Please share. #Talkingpoints #ExecutiveCommunications #Tech #Product #InternalCommunications #ExternalCommunications

Learn how to properly format a #PressRelease and give yourself the best chance of securing coverage! 📝 Read more: https://ow.ly/P9z950QG8lc #PublicRelations #PR #Communications #Storytelling

In case you are interested

Can a journalist transition to PR and Communications? From my experience, yes, but… Back in 2022, an article in one of the dailies cautioned the corporate and public sectors against placing their trust in journalists for PR and Communications roles. But how true is this? First, this is how a newsroom works: In the morning team meeting, journalists pitch news for the day’s bulletins. After that, they plan logistics and head out into the 'field.' Once they gather news, if not for a live report, they return to the newsroom to share their story with colleagues and editors, write a script, and, if necessary, coordinate with the graphics team for visuals. Then, they head for the voicing booth (just don’t take sweet stuff before voicing), edit their story, and slot it into the running order. In the evening, it's time to pitch for tomorrow’s mid-day bulletins. Survival in this profession requires the skills of a hunter—chasing leads, seeking the latest scoop, and reveling in the thrill of breaking news. Now, imagine swapping that reporter's hat for one in PR, where you're more behind the scenes. You may lack experience in graphic design and website management, encounter a less formal communication culture (maybe a 'please find attached' email), limited knowledge in digital marketing, and bid farewell to the limelight and handouts (I didn’t tell you this one). The most significant shift lies in moving away from the 'news mentality,' where controversial stories sell more than positive news (when was the last time you saw positive news?) to recognizing opportunities. In my next post: What does the corporate world look like, and what unique qualities do journalists bring?