How to Recession-Proof Your Firm

If you’ve been watching the news, reading the papers or listening to the pundits, chances are you may be convinced that we’re already in a recession. My opinion, after a full year of taking the pulse of the industry—via the annual surveys published by Gould+Partners—is that the PR industry will not be facing a recession….
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Good Deals/Great Deals

A ‘good’ deal is when each party feels relatively positive about the outcome. Making each party emerge a winner is the essence of a ‘great’ deal. Often, conceding to the other party what they want will not impact what you want in a material way.  I always put myself in the place of the person…
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2022 TRENDS IN PR – MERGERS, ACQUISITIONS AND MORE

All signs point to 2022 being a very good year for public relations agencies. We’ve looked into our crystal ball and predict these trends for 2022.  Overall public relations trends  Increasing emphasis on DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion)  Customers want brands to take a stand on social and political issues, and clients are responding. PR…
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Knowing What Your PR Firm Is Worth

Valuing PR agencies is a complex process.  It takes financial expertise, knowledge of the M&A marketplace and an understanding of how buyers create offers/term sheets. Term Sheets presented by buyers to sellers for the acquisition of the seller firm are customized based on several factors. “Recasted” Operating Profit for the past three full years plus…
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Is Cry for PR Diversity Different This Time?

(This article originally appeared on odwyerpr.com.)  It happens every few years, just like a Swiss watch. Cries are heard regarding the general lack of diversity within the creative services field and how it’s costing agencies and firms dearly. There are a few rounds of self-flagellation within the four walls, as the media trades run agonizing…
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‘Marketing Momma’ Offers 3 Tips for Agency Owners 

“I’m the kind of person who ends up being everybody’s momma,” says PR veteran Lucy Siegel. “All kinds of people come to me with problems and ask for advice.” Well, the self-described “momma” is now looking to monetize her many years of experience in the creative services industry. In April Siegel launched her third firm, Lucy Siegel…
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What Millennials Want From Non-Millennials—And Vice Versa

Madison Avenue’s fixation on youth is an old story.  It’s been the default position among brand managers for decades: Older consumers are set in their ways and couldn’t possibly be persuaded to try (and buy) new products, so better to cater entirely to younger consumers. However, a new survey splashes cold water on the theory,…
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Online Video: Take Your Best Shot

PR firm owners know the scene. They land a new account and sit down with the buyer(s) for an initial strategy session. After exchanging niceties PR firm owners reach into their portfolio and offer a package of services that would best align with the client’s goals and/or financial objectives. Assuming budget is available PR executives…
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Valuing Your PR Firm ‘As If’ It Were Your Home

Your home has been good to you. You have invested a chunk of money into sprucing it up throughout the years and the work has paid off nicely. You are ready to sell. As you brace for a sale you remember that tiny crack in the wall near your bedroom and some chips scattering the…
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How ‘PTO’-Type Programs Can Benefit PR Firms

Whether senior managers primed for the C-suite or junior account executives eager for promotion, staff retention is one of the biggest challenges now facing PR agency owners. The traditional two-week vacation plus a few personal/sick days throughout the calendar year no longer seem to cut it for many employees, millennials in particular. To assuage the…
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The Horn Group Acquisition by Finn Partners

Finn Partners boosts tech practice with Horn Group acquisition The deal will also expand the firm’s footprints in New York and San Francisco. Read the full article >

27th Annual Best Practice Benchmarking Survey

I invite you to participate in Gould+Partners 27th annual Best Practice Benchmarking Survey. Participation is completely confidential and you will receive the full report in late June. We are still accepting completed surveys. Open the Survey