“If I was down to my last dollar, I’d spend it on public relations.”
A bold claim from none other than Mr Microsoft himself, Bill Gates. And while we might be a tad biased, we’re right there with him.
Of course, as a specialist PR agency, you’d expect us to say that – but hang on! Wait! Give us a few minutes and we’ll show you why PR deserves every penny (or pound).
PR is so much more than column inches
When people think of PR, they often imagine tabloid exclusives, dramatic press conferences, or celebrities dodging awkward questions. And yes, those are all part of it. But they’re just the tip of the beautifully polished iceberg.
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Writing punchy press releases and securing coverage in both print and digital media
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Researching relevant publications and pitching the perfect editorial
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Planning scroll-stopping social media strategies
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Prepping spokespeople for media interviews
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Partnering with influencers and brands for eye-catching campaigns
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Stepping in when things go a bit… off-script (hello, crisis comms)
Put simply: PR is about shaping perception, building trust, and ensuring your brand is showing up in the right places, in the right way, for the right reasons. It’s all about managing a company or person’s reputation within the public eye. Making sure every angle of their being is ‘covered’ – be it their sustainability credentials, ethical practice, palatable opinions, and many other factors, all of which equate to their brand identity and voice.
PR can make or break a brand by its power to leverage public perception.
Why reputation is everything
A well-crafted PR strategy can elevate your brand. A poor one can tank it. Need proof? Let’s talk about…
✅ PR done right: Volkswagen
Back in 2015, VW found itself in a bit of a pickle after being caught fibbing about their diesel emissions. Cue global outrage. But they didn’t just hide under the duvet – they brought in PR pros to steer the brand back on track. And while sales took a hit, the company’s recovery has been helped massively by strategic communications and reputation management.
❌ PR done wrong: Pepsi
In 2017, Pepsi’s attempt to align with the Black Lives Matter movement backfired in spectacular style. The infamous ad featuring Kendall Jenner handing a can of Pepsi to a police officer was slammed for trivialising a serious social issue. Instead of uniting people, it ended up as a lesson in how not to do PR. BIG oops.
So, why is PR worth your last pound?
Because it’s your safety net, spotlight, and secret weapon – all rolled into one. Whether it’s managing a crisis, launching a new product, or building a brand from scratch, PR gets you seen, heard, and trusted.
It connects your business with your customers in meaningful ways, and helps shape the narrative before someone else does.
And that’s exactly what we do at Honest Communications. We’ve worked with brands big and small across the home, garden and lifestyle sectors, and we know exactly how to get your message out there without shouting into the void.
Bill Gates had it right when he spoke about the importance of PR – saving brands from reputational ruin and catapulting them in front of the right audience. To do that successfully, you’ll need a PR agency that have their finger on the pulse of not only your industry, but current events and the wider media.
Let’s get the ball rolling
Whether you’ve got a PR challenge that’s keeping you up at night or you’re starting from scratch, we’d love to chat.
Get in touch to see how we can help you build your brand, manage your reputation, and land those all-important headlines.
And hey – if it’s good enough for Bill Gates…
