The Changing Face of PR and Marketing
2nd August 2019
The Network Ireland West Cork July event ‘The Changing Face of PR and Marketing’ was presented by Hopkins Communications this week. Experts Judy Hopkins (pictured left), Partner and Muriel Foley (pictured right), Digital Director at Hopkins Communications offered the West Cork businesswomen top tips on how to promote their businesses utilising all of the marketing elements, such as PR, branding, advertising, digital, promotions, and events.
Speaking at the event, Judy Hopkins, Partner at Hopkins Communications said, “Public Relations (PR) focuses on communication and reputation management and PR professionals serve as storytellers, relaying positive client stories (or mitigating any damage that could weaken a client’s reputation) while building trust and relationships with traditional press, radio and TV journalists. However, with the advent of social media, smartphones and our growing reliance on a constantly connected world, the notion of ‘unpaid’ or ‘earned media’ within the PR landscape, has well and truly changed, as has the way consumers interact with brands and vice versa. Now, there are many more ways to source media opportunities for clients and each one works towards the same reputation-building goal, while using different strategies to get there.”
“It is imperative now more than ever that PR plays a part in your overall marketing plan and that the messaging across your PR, digital, advertising, events, graphic design, videography, print materials, website and beyond is consistent, with the same goal in mind. To be successful in your marketing campaigns, you should always ask yourself, is the right hand talking to the left hand? Does your advertising team know what your PR team is doing, and vice versa? What’s the overall objective, how can we deliver on it and of course what way will we measure its success.” continued Ms Hopkins.
Ciara Byrne (pictured centre), President of Network Ireland West Cork said “We conducted a survey last year among Network Ireland West Cork members and over 60% asked for a PR and marketing event. Many of our members are SME owners and they know they need to get their businesses noticed among the noise, especially on social media. Judy and Muriel shared their vast knowledge of PR and digital marketing equipping our members to put the learnings into practice in their daily work lives. We listen to our members and our events aim to educate, inform and support them to help progress their careers and businesses.”
