This endorsment brought to you by… the journos
So is there any journalist in Australia who isn’t currently endorsing a product, organisation or PR agency?
You might think that the PR-journo relationship is one of arms-length independence. Or you might not, based on the journo-love to be found.
Staking a claim to be champion of the discipline is James Livesley, editor of B&T Today – a fine online publication (and Dr Mumbo’s beloved former employer) but one not previously known for its holiday destination expertise. Although it looks like that’s all about to change. In yesterday’s edition of B&T Today, Livesley tells his readers: “As a hard working media and marketing professional, and with the summer holidays fast approaching we thought you might want some help planning your Christmas break.”
For those who are interested, James recommends Macau – “Food, historical attractions, thrill-seeking adventures and beachside relaxation”; Miami – “It’s not a plastic surgeon’s showroom nor a pornstar convention. It’s classic Miami beach”; Fiji – “Ahoy!” and Queensland “It’s not all daquiris and sunset strolls”. Helpfully there’s even a link to where you can read more in an advertiser-funded newsletter.
Nothing wrong with journos bigging up PR agencies they have respect for. It makes sense. They should know which are good after all… I hope that I’ll soon be bigging up Red PR, who we just appointed as the agency for our magazine relaunch 🙂
Good on ’em but I can’t help but find it a bit odd.
Thats a bit dodgy. Hard to trust their opinion now, as you dont know if its a real one or a paid-for one.
hey Jen,
I’d have to say I disagree with you there. Mumbrella wouldn’t be reporting on the issue if there wasn’t a whiff of controversy 🙂
That fact hadn’t entirely passed me by Sam, don’t worry! 😉 Notice I bypassed the holiday mention!
Now all we need is journalists going anonymously on social media sites promoting products, nyuk, nyuk.
He forgot to mentionthe world’s most persistent prostitutes in Macau too.
As one of Australia’s leading journalists said to my PR class yesterday: “Many journalists are lazy” (so PR helps them along). There’s no surprise there. Estimates are that up to 70-80 per cent of media content is PR-generated. The fawning endorsements, though, are a bit over the top. @prlab
Hmm Nic McClure’s quote as Breakfast producer of Merrick & Rosso show is so old you’d need to dust it off and carbon date it. She hasn’t been their producer for about 3 or 4 years now, nice relic Polkadot PR.
Quite frankly if a PR agency can provide a bespoke story “idea”, it can be win/win in some cases…so long as integrity and ethics aren’t compromised. There is a fine balance possible and I think both parties need each other.
Nor is Casey McDonald the beauty editor at WHO anymore… she left about a month ago.
So what our industries are finally starting to build bridges and admit that we work together? It’s a good thing! Ultimately if a PR person provides a journo what they need, when they need it then its a win-win situation.
My apologies – Kasey McDonald.
Great story:
The shock is that so many media people think that their PR (ie corporate) liaisons are normal and acceptable. They ain’t!
When paying the piper gets media time/space, we’re doomed to be dancing forever to the corporates’ tunes.
Which of course is why commercial TV has become so hideously conservative, vapid, repetitive and vile.
Media demands independent new thoughts, excitement, risk, analysis, etc.
Which is why the internet is boomsville…
BTW:
When The Oz’s Media section celebrated 10 years a few months back, Lachlan M wrote that he’d started the thing because he liked the Guardian’s media supplement. But today’s Oz’s is pathetic totally PR-driven crap, most of it for NewsLtd’s product. VOMIT!!!
“The folks at Oil & Slime PR are just wonderful to deal with, generate great leads, and treat me with the respect and deference I know I deserve”
There, I’ve said it.
Can I have my overseas junket now?