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Why Relationships Between Journalists and Publicists are So Important

By September 14, 2021August 26th, 2022No Comments
Journalists and Publicists

By: Aurora Dominguez, Journalist, Professor, Writer & Teacher

Public relations is an essential tool for journalists and the way the news is covered. As a journalist and public relations professor at Florida Atlantic University, I understand the importance of public relations in the media world and how it can make the client’s business a success. Not to mention, how journalists and publicists relationships are truly imperative.

My time at publications like The Miami Herald, Where Magazine and J-14 Magazine showed me how vital public relations is to connect with new ideas, people and places to cover. I cherish the relationships I’ve built with a lot of publicists and agencies. They are honestly a great tool for us as writers.

Below are three reasons why relationships between publicists and journalists are so magical and essential for the communications business.

  1. They Know the Scoop Before You Do

When I was a writer for J-14 Magazine, a teen magazine covering pop culture, an amazing publicist reached out to me and gave me the scoop before I even knew it was available. I was flown to Hawaii to cover the Jurassic World Press Junket in 2015 and had the chance to get essential video and digital footage for my publication. Not to mention, the client, Jurassic World, got extensive coverage from national publications as well.

I love the professionalism that comes from incredible publicists. They bring us ideas and news tips before, at times, we even think of them. When we have these professionals on our side letting us know what’s new, what’s hot and what’s up next, it makes our job so much easier.

  1. They Know Their Clients and Your Needs

Publicists know journalists’ publications inside and out. The extensive research that goes into their day is impressive. They scour through thousands of websites and publications, making sure you get what you need from them. Beyond that, publicists get their clients important coverage and craft well thought out pitches. These give you a hint of what you can expect from their clients.

I’ll never forget being a journalist for The Miami Herald, having to cover the Fontainebleau opening and Victoria’s Secret Fashion show back in the day, and feeling eternally thankful to the publicist that took me on an entire tour of the hotel and let me know what to expect at the event. Her press releases, her initiative and the fact that she knew what exactly I needed before even writing my piece made my story flow perfectly when it came to previewing the event. Plus, it gave me a hell of a piece for Miami.com and Tropical Life. To this day, this is a memorable event, and I still have a connection with this talented publicist.

  1. They Have a Genuine Interest in Helping Your Publication

As a professional journalist and educator, I get so upset when publicists get a bad reputation for “only caring about clips and coverage.” I can attest that this is not the case. They care and help you when needed the most.

For example, the Dynamos at Durée & Company have always shown me the utmost professionalism. From providing me leads, to sending me to that perfect event or media dinner, they know what a journalist needs and wants, even before we as writers know it.

During a stint teaching at Yale University in 2018, I taught Advanced English for ISSOS (International Summer School of Scotland). I’ll always remember the amazing care package these Dynamos sent me to make my days brighter for the three weeks that I was there. I also must add, they are very detail-oriented. They know how to make a journalist feel helped and welcome, which in turn helps us as well because we then feel comfortable working with them.

Of course, their career is to get clients and their businesses the coverage they desire. Good publicists, however, will always show care and know about the journalists they work with, making them a wonderful asset to us in the media world. I always consider them my allies, and the Dynamos at Durée  & Company always provide top-notch professionalism and service.

About Durée & Company, Inc.

Durée & Company, Inc. is an award-winning, full-service public relations, marketing and special events firm founded in 1999. The firm has offices in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Aspen, Colorado. Durée & Company serves the corporate, agency and nonprofit arenas for local, national and international clients. Services include public relations, social media, marketing, digital marketing, content development, advertising, special events, branding, radio promotions, affiliate marketing and more. Durée & Company clients include well-known names in yachting, business, real estate, hospitality, travel, health and wellness, cannabis and psychedelics, art and culture, fashion, nonprofit organizations, cryptocurrency and technology, legal and professional services. Durée & Company is a member of PR Boutiques International™ (PRBI), an international network of boutique PR firms. To learn more, call 954-723-9350; go to dureeandcompany.com; cannabismarketingpr.com; or psychedelicpr.com. Join the social conversation and follow Durée & Company on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn at @DureeCoPR.

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Five Things That Need to be in Your Resume or Cover Letter

To paraphrase Jerry Maguire, help us help you. As we sift through the paperwork, here’s what we are looking for:

1. What you love to do and why.

In PR, you may love writing, editing, interviewing, pitching the media, researching, coordinating events, networking, posting to social media … whew! While we would love it if you had a passion for it all, we’d never believe you if you said as much.

What part of this zany, crazy, whirlwind, yet meticulous, tedious, detail-oriented, profession calls to you and why? Help us make the connection as to how PR is really for you, and call it your Professional Summary.

2. Something you did that changed something or someone else.

If you never showed up to your last job, what wouldn’t have happened? That’s right. Erase yourself. Now which clients disappeared with you? Which articles just fade away? What press releases cease to exist? How much social media did NOT get liked?

We are just meeting you. So take a moment to spell out your impact, and it will be easier for us to see what you can do for the clients of Durée & Company. Share this under your Job Responsibilities.

3. Anything you created.

Feeling humble? Well, stop it. This is the part where you brag. If you craft a delightful blog, master a mind-blowing website, shoot crazy video or direct wonderful events, show us.

Then tell us a bit of how you did it, so we trust that it was your brilliance and not the intern’s. Let’s dub this Your Portfolio.

4. An indication of why you belong here.

At PR firm Durée & Company, we have a culture. Really, all companies do. To learn about ours, do some legwork. At this point, if you’re on our blog, you are in the right spot to begin learning. Hate pink? Not good with women? Live in Kansas? Low energy? Then you might want to reconsider applying. However, if we resemble a group that you’d like to hang out with, share why. You can do that in the Cover Letter.

5. Correctly spelled words – all of them.

Do more than hit spell check. Know how to spell or ask someone to proofread. Correctly spelled words work everywhere, all the time. Consider them the Little Black Dresses of resumes.

So consider these five tips – we’ve just given you a “cheat sheet” about what we’re watching out for. Even if our position may not be for you, feel free to use our advice for another – it may just get you the job!