STEVE CARR - SVP and managing director, CKPR
Like all of America, the PR profession has responded magnificently in
the aftermath of the terrorist attacks. Local leadership in New York and
Washington seem to be soliciting and receiving solid, professional PR
counsel, and acting upon it. Right now, the biggest contribution we can
make is to perform as good corporate citizens, supporting the country
and the economy. PR people are donating services, websites, and office
space to individuals and companies affected by the tragedy. Travel and
tourism experts are balancing security concerns with promotional
efforts, and New York has a special challenge to maintain its global
financial leadership. Philosophically, few other professions are as
qualified as PR to assist in the effort to recover and unite. I think
we're up to the job.
ALISA FEINSTEIN - Director, Burson-Marsteller
In our current economic situation, effective communications is a
necessity.
Businesses need to realize that not only has there been an outpouring of
goodwill, but they need to know exactly what help is available. The
challenge on the government side is packaging programs in a coherent
manner and expediting the funding process. The challenge on the business
side is informing displaced employees of opportunities and setting up a
communications structure which not only allows for information to flow,
but is persuasive enough to yield participation. This type of
participation allows businesses to get up and running, and lets people
get back to work - both of which contribute to the bottom line and allow
for lost revenue to be recovered more quickly. Burson-Marsteller is
working with Emergency Employment Clearinghouse, a not-for-profit
operation staffed by the Consortium for Worker Education.
The goal of the Clearinghouse is to get the word out to businesses and
displaced employees that opportunities abound. Burson also has created a
website - www.rebuildingnyc.com - which serves as portal for our clients
to all key websites, both employment and assistance-related, and
provides information relating to how businesses can help other
businesses.
MICHAEL PAUL - President, MGP & Associates PR
Not only have PR firms responded admirably since the tragedy, we are one
of the reasons the economy hasn't hit rock bottom. For example, MGP &
Associates PR has developed new strategic programs for most of our
clients in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors in NYC and DC. The
September 11 tragedy made us rethink most of our strategies. For some it
slowed sales and results. For many, the crisis became a chance to help
others and increase sales. We are developing new ways of reaching key
reporters, educating them and meeting face-to-face. We are spending more
time strategizing with clients, counseling them emotionally as well.
They're like family. We spend a lot of time with them. They have let us
into their lives. They turn to us to discuss tough decisions. Many other
firms are coming through for clients similarly. Our industry can be
proud of our continued commitment to help the US economy. However, we
still have much work to do.
JEFFREY BIERIG - Media relations manager, Chicago Tribune, Co-president,
Publicity Club of Chicago
At the Publicity Club of Chicago, our members are working with their
clients to promote charitable giving to help New York and Washington
recover from the terrorist attacks. At the Chicago Tribune, for example,
we're involved in a national Tribune Company fundraising effort to aid
victims.
That effort, including matching funds from the Tribune McCormick
Foundation, has raised more than $15 million thus far. In
addition, a late September Sunday edition of the Tribune included an
American Flag decal suitable for display in a home, car or business
window. In this way, the paper, in addition to providing coverage of
events, shows empathy to the needs of its readers and the people of the
Chicago area who support our government's efforts to fight terrorism. On
an ongoing basis, PR practitioners around the country should be
cognizant of the changing landscape. They need to provide their clients
with counsel that recognizes the changed focus of media attention, as
well as how they can support victims of the terrorist attacks and the
country as it pursues its goals of dealing with terrorism here and
abroad.
