Who are my public relations account contacts?

Don’t confuse the pitch team with your account management team.

Be aware of your PR contacts.

Most companies consist of several departments including sales, marketing, customer service, and human resources. Every department (or team) includes team members who each play a specific role within the company. When partnering with a public relations firm, many executives confuse the pitch team with the account management team and expect that their initial contacts will continue to be their contacts throughout the partnership. This is mistake #8 on Axia Public Relations’ list of 15 mistakes companies make when hiring a PR firm. Don’t let this be your company. Most PR firms have a process to ease the transition as you move from prospective client to signed-contract client.

The process

Axia typically meets with prospective clients up to three times before beginning a business relationship – that includes phone calls, video calls, and in-person meetings.

As we begin the onboarding process where we transition you from prospective client to current client, we put you in contact with at least one of our account managers. This is a great opportunity for you to ask real-world questions about what public relations entails.
Typically, this person will become your designated account manager and your point of contact.
After you sign your contract, our pitch team members officially hand their notes and details over to your account manager.
The account manager sends out a welcome email to officially welcome you to our family, introduce other team members, and request a time for an official kickoff meeting.

Having one point of contact makes your life easier.

The pitch team doesn’t handle PR responsibilities on a daily basis. As a goodwill gesture, someone from the pitch team should check in with you semiannually to make sure all is well and perhaps to update your contract. Otherwise, once you become a client, you’ll have an account team that manages your media relations.

Once you know your point of contact and have your PR team on your side, download Axia’s complimentary e-book Maximizing Your Public Relations Investment to ensure you’re getting the best possible ROI from your PR firm.

Clients love Marjorie’s work ethic, speed and diligence. She has worked with Axia Public Relations since October 2011. Marjorie graduated from Rockhurst University with a Bachelor of Arts in communication and loves to cheer for her hometown Kansas City Royals. Learn more about Marjorie.