Is that really Public Relations?
‘What do you actually mean by ‘Public Relations’?’ ‘Don’t even bother with it, it’s too old-fashioned.’ ‘Fits you perfectly.’ ‘Oh, you mean communication?’ ‘How do you end up with all those clients?’ These are a few of the comments and questions which arose when I said I was starting my own company. All that after years as a journalist and radio presenter for national public radio and after years at the Municipality of Amsterdam as Communications Director. Gaining insight into processes, balancing individual interests and most of all into what drives people. This too… is Public Relations? I am strongly result-oriented. No stranger to a bit of nagging, but always in a friendly manner. Whenever possible, making new friends in a welcoming environment. Building bridges. Bringing people into contact with one another. Showing the business advantage in working together. Driven, with integrity, with a commitment to doing things right. The CEO, senior politician or celebrity who would like a plan of how to give his career a push in the right direction. He can’t ask his own communications department, but discretely hiring a PR man is always an option. No one even needs to know.
