One would think that a world-renowned branding consultancy like Landor Associates would understand how media relations can impact a company’s brand.
One would think that a world-renowned branding consultancy like
Landor Associates would understand how media relations can impact a
company’s brand.
That said, we were rather shocked when we called Landor’s main line to
reach an executive last week. The automated receptionist told us to
press ’3’ for media relations, which we dutifully did. But we were then
told that ’3’ was ’not a valid option.’ We tried it again, with the same
result.
Frustrated and on deadline, we then tried to find someone with a pulse,
but fared no better. The live receptionist had no clue as to where to
direct us, and eventually sent us over to someone in ’visual resources’
- whatever that is.
Being the single-minded, diligent journalists we are, we eventually
located the exec without PR help (in New York, two blocks away). And to
be fair, Landor’s global PR head did call later that day to apologize.
But when a branding expert muffs its PR, what hope is there for the rest
of us?
