By Stephanie Look
Having grown up in the Bay Area, I’ve always been an avid San Francisco Giants fan. When I was about four years old, I couldn’t have told you the difference between a ball and a strike, but I could’ve told you that Will Clark, Matt Williams, and Kevin Mitchell were the family favorites. You may have seen a few extra crowds of people flooding into the Bay Area a few weeks ago for the 2007 All Star Game festivities; this recently got me thinking about the similarities between baseball and my job.
Being a team player
At Engage, being a team player is step one of public relations. Like good coaches tell their teams, maintain high levels of sportsmanship and go get ‘em!
Being a team player at EPR is not only about the company culture and camaraderie, but being an active support system to your colleagues and clients. At EPR, we work with clients who are open to new ideas and who trust their PR teams, seeing us as a real partner. I’m lucky to have the opportunity to exchange ideas amongst all levels in the playing field, from new hires to our executive staff—something I believe is unique about the team dynamic at EPR.
Pitching, from baseball to PR
Like any starting pitcher for the MLB, knowing how to throw fastballs is important. From a PR professional’s point of view, this means knowing your targets and their audiences. By doing your homework and researching coverage, you’ll be clear about where to aim.
But let’s face it, out of the hundreds of PR pitches journalists receive a day, your pitch is not going to stand out among the rest just because your client’s technology falls in line with that reporter’s beat. At Engage, we like to throw the curveballs, not to spin the news, but to ensure pitches are newsworthy with a twist of creativity.
Hey batter, batter…
Imagine the game is tied, 5-5, bottom of the ninth, full count with runners on first and third…and you’re up to bat. You know the team has played a great game thus far. but you’re feeling the pressure because all you need is a base hit to bring your teammate home. What gets you through it?
A sportscaster for KNBR 680 once said that AT&T Park is home of the San Francisco Giants and of the best fan base in the world. Well, if you’ve ever been to a Giants’ home game, you’d probably agree. The team may not be in first place in the West division, but that doesn’t seem to deter the roaring fans cheering on their team on. Call it the home advantage if you’d like, but nothing beats that kind of support system.
You may not always have the opportunity to hit all of the home runs in the game, but that one base hit can make the difference for your team. Whether you’re just starting your career in PR as a blank slate, or have been in the industry for over 15 years, there’s something new to learn. More importantly, you know there’s always someone at Engage to help foster that growth. We encourage each other to step up to the plate and shoot for that home run.
