Category: Raleigh PR Agency

Spreading Hope From a Distance

Kelli FletcherBlog, Clairemont Client News, Raleigh PR Agency

It would be wrong if we didn’t acknowledge the change of the media landscape over the past few weeks. These are difficult times that are requiring different navigations.

The Clairemont team is all working from home, practicing social distancing, finding silver linings in the new normal and keeping our clients top-of-mind as we assist them with messaging, next steps and Plan Bs for the coming months.

Helping to bring a smile to our face is client TRU Colors Brewing in Wilmington, N.C., a for-profit company founded by active gang members. TRU is on a social mission to unite rival gangs and stop the violence across our country. They’ve seen success on the local level and are continuing to work hard to prove that especially in times of despair community is everything and hope is just as contagious as fear.

https://www.facebook.com/TRUColorsBrew/videos/563220197882771/?__xts__[0]=68.ARCEyjxM-jfHKNzTAx6bpfNNaXZpTmIhDsvxAx-IR7OoJhpO2qrYjmEdzVBU7xAgFojvwPzUSEMrC66ryZX6-5SbWvbLUzbx_1mdcigJCXj0uG9Mtk2YuPGsrWzC6yIhRmmM95YDY5TY_oBTcQ9BF53P83P7B0q4InXKwcd-2hsAg73Kwy0gQqSXzHBOtFTTxTm3E6-V6ulbY_omvzHkVwM8P-Cc2qPwVU2gO5ZyfDR53-g6nT2gAAEgLni1IVkR7Nm_xIpJ1UTGE4LhMK6Fy-43cXEj9nKbQJ7JPud2mZhT9OCqqQixcUQIpLNfT6GQlOAByFaNcovYSG7Dr-uBZzyIxmXKQ5eUlzM&__tn__=-R
Video by TRU Colors Brewing

Want to help spread this message of positivity far and wide? Head to the TRU Colors Brewing Facebook page and share the above video!

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Do What You Love & Love What You Do

Kelli FletcherBlog, Public Relations, Raleigh PR Agency, , ,

Happy Valentine’s Day! Perhaps you received a bouquet of your favorite flowers. Or you might be out last-minute shopping for that special someone. Or maybe, just maybe, you are one of those counting down the hours until all that holiday-themed candy goes on sale …

Love it or hate it, we certainly don’t hold anything against this day, which means we couldn’t let it go by without celebrating it ourselves! In the spirit of continuing to celebrate Clairemont’s 10-year anniversary, we’re sharing what we love about PR and working at Clairemont!

Read below to see what our team loves most about what we do and where we do it!P.R. While the acronym, of course, means “public relations,” it also stands for “personal record.” Interestingly, that’s one of the things that I feel like we’re able to do for and with our clients — help them achieve their companies’ “personal record.” We get to work with people we love, tackle hard problems, apply strategic game plans and dream up zany, creative solutions, all to form a path for our clients to exceed their goals. For me, it’s the light in a client’s eyes when they begin to see the upswing in sales or when they read their first feature article in a major magazine. I love that we get the privilege to be a direct catalyst in a client’s success. Also. Sometimes we work from a coffee shop. And the coffee shop has brownies. – Cherith Andes

I love that a career in PR means no day ever looks the same. I also love that it has forced me to learn about a wide variety of industries and businesses. What do I love about Clairemont? Our team, our energy, The Clairemont House, our clients, the work we do! – Tracy Lathan

When I landed my first gig in Boston, I had a coworker tell me in regards to a job, “You either have to love what you do or love who you’re doing it with.” Since joining Clairemont I can honestly say I’m lucky to love both! In PR, you can be both creative and strategic. You can have fun and do important work that really moves the needle for a business or person. There’s rarely a boring day! There’s so much I love about Clairemont – the house, the location, the clients! But most of all I truly love our team! We work well together, and we work hard. We’re all here for the same reason: because we love PR (and fun!). – Kelli Fletcher

What I love most about PR is that the skills and practices can be applied in almost any field! At Clairemont specifically, I love that I get to work on a variety of exciting projects. It also doesn’t hurt that Clairemont’s location in Downtown Raleigh gets me out of Chapel Hill to explore more of the Triangle Area! – Taylor Bolden

The thing I love most about Clairemont is the women I get to work with each day. They are some of the smartest, kindest and most fun people I know! They inspire me to be a better PR professional and a better person.  – Dana Phelps

Happy Valentine’s Day to you! Have an idea that could use a little creative love? Drop us a line!

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#Clairemont10years

Dana PhelpsBlog, Public Relations, Raleigh PR Agency, ,

Hello, 2020! As the whole world is making resolutions and looking ahead to the next decade, we at Clairemont are looking back at our first decade. That’s right! It is Clairemont’s 10th anniversary.

We’ll be celebrating throughout the year by sharing top 10 lists, TBTs and lots of hashtags —-> #Clairemont10years #Clairemont10 #Perfect10 #Clairemont10thAnniversary.

We have a lot of favorite memories from the last 10 years – of our work, of our clients and especially of our city. What about you? Shoot me an email and let me know! And if you feel like celebrating this milestone with us, stop by the Clairemont House any time!

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6 Ways to Ruin Your News

Cherith AndesBlog, Public Relations, Raleigh PR Agency, , , ,

You’re ready — primed and excited to connect with your PR agency and finally unveil your big announcement. You can almost see the articles populating your newsfeed or dancing across the 6 p.m. evening news.

But before you go blasting your information into the great big media-sphere, be sure that you’re positioning both you and your PR agency for success. Here are the common ways you can hamstring your news story. Avoid these!

1. Ask your team to pitch something that isn’t news.

Many businesses believe that internal milestones constitute “news.” And while they’re certainly important to the company, it often doesn’t apply to the general public — or to the media. As fun as it is, a new slogan or brand rarely is news. Nor is an internal anniversary (except maybe that time we created a mega media event for a client’s 5th anniversary).

Run through the gamut of test questions: Is my story something new? (Simple yet vital question.) Is this news something that will directly change the reader’s day tomorrow? Is it timely or relevant to anything else? Here’s where a good PR team can bridge the gap by helping you identify newsworthy pitches and develop solid stories around what may initially seem like a non-news event. 

2. Provide an unreasonable timeline.

At Clairemont, we work efficiently and effectively on short deadlines, especially in situations of breaking news or a crisis. However, whenever possible, plan ahead for your big release. Allow time for the team to get all details, ask key questions and develop a solid pitch strategy. Also build in a little cushion to allow for approval from any company leaders and partners.

3. Write by committee.

Trust your PR agency to craft the strongest angle and to create media materials that nail your coverage goals. Resist the urge to over-edit news releases or statements, or micro-manage the pitch strategy. Not only will this delay the process, “heavy meddling” — as we call it — can muddy the message and weaken your news.

4. Pitch on your own.

… especially if you’re working with a team of PR professionals. Our job is to know the media landscape and leverage our well-honed media relationships, connecting the right story with the right reporter. Do not begin to pitch your news at the same time to “a friend” who you happen to know at the local paper or “that guy” at the TV station. Double-pitching is a no-no and may dilute your message.

5. Be unavailable for interviews.

Media often work on a short deadline, and if they agree to an interview, time is of the essence. Provide your schedule of availability to your PR agency prior to the pitching process, and remain available during those times. Stay flexible as well for impromptu interviews. It damages relationships with media to promise them an interview slot and then cancel at the last minute. Be reliable and helpful. 

6. Go “off message” in an interview.

Often times, your team and you will craft talking points or key messages to support the overarching story. Make these your cornerstones in your interview. Don’t begin second-guessing the facts, changing the narrative or contradicting the confirmed message. This will not only confuse the reporter but also may sink the story altogether.

Looking to get your company in the news? Drop us a line to chat about a pitch strategy for your announcement or event!

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