How to be Proactive
with Reactive PR
Lizzie Russell – Deputy head of media, Shelter
Thursday 16 July 2015
Quick Introduction
•A bit about me
•A bit about Shelter
•A bit about reactive PR -
it’s all about the 10Ps
The 1st P is for…
Preparation
• Knowing when and what to react to
• Pre-empt your response
• The speedier the better
The 2nd P is for…
Prioritising
• Getting the balance right
• You can’t respond to everything
• Know how to PICK:
 Partners & stakeholders
 Internal Consolation
 Content
 Key collateral
The 3rd P is for…
People
• Reactive PR needs more than the media team
• Get everyone in agreement first
• Use your expertise
The 4th P is for…
Plan
• Media plans aren’t just for proactive stories
• How to maximise the opportunity
• Looking beyond a media line
The 5th P is for…
Proactive
• Don’t wait for people to come to you
• Tee up in advance
• Team work
The 6th P is for…
Personal
• Charity comms all about real life stories
• What are the on the ground effects?
• Case studies
The 7th P is for…
Punchy
• Make your line stand out
• Visual, to the point
• What’s the sound-bite?
• Push the boundaries
The 8th P is for…
Pivot
• Don’t be afraid to change direction
• Debates move quickly – shape it or move with it
The 9th P is for…
Piggy-backing
• Reacting to other people’s stories
• Make it work for you and them
The 10th P is for…
• Reactive PR is
challenging but fun!
• Motivate, stay positive,
work as a team
Positivity
Summary – my top tips
• Prepare as much as you can, but also be
prepared to change direction!
• Be sure to always weigh up your options, get
other opinions and manage the risk
• Decided to respond? Make it punchy and
personal
• Be proactive when being reactive – don’t wait
for the requests to come to you
• And finally, enjoy it!
Thank you!
lizzie_russell@shelter.org.uk
020 7505 1189
@lizziejrussell
www.shelter.org.uk
Visit the CharityComms website to
view slides from past events, see
what events we have coming up
and to check out what else we do:
www.charitycomms.org.uk
PR Network
16 July 2015
London
#charityPR
PR Network
Proactive vs reactive
work: finding the balance

Proactive vs reactive PR: finding the balance. PR Network, 16 July 2015.

  • 1.
    How to beProactive with Reactive PR Lizzie Russell – Deputy head of media, Shelter Thursday 16 July 2015
  • 2.
    Quick Introduction •A bitabout me •A bit about Shelter •A bit about reactive PR - it’s all about the 10Ps
  • 3.
    The 1st Pis for… Preparation • Knowing when and what to react to • Pre-empt your response • The speedier the better
  • 4.
    The 2nd Pis for… Prioritising • Getting the balance right • You can’t respond to everything • Know how to PICK:  Partners & stakeholders  Internal Consolation  Content  Key collateral
  • 5.
    The 3rd Pis for… People • Reactive PR needs more than the media team • Get everyone in agreement first • Use your expertise
  • 6.
    The 4th Pis for… Plan • Media plans aren’t just for proactive stories • How to maximise the opportunity • Looking beyond a media line
  • 7.
    The 5th Pis for… Proactive • Don’t wait for people to come to you • Tee up in advance • Team work
  • 8.
    The 6th Pis for… Personal • Charity comms all about real life stories • What are the on the ground effects? • Case studies
  • 9.
    The 7th Pis for… Punchy • Make your line stand out • Visual, to the point • What’s the sound-bite? • Push the boundaries
  • 10.
    The 8th Pis for… Pivot • Don’t be afraid to change direction • Debates move quickly – shape it or move with it
  • 11.
    The 9th Pis for… Piggy-backing • Reacting to other people’s stories • Make it work for you and them
  • 12.
    The 10th Pis for… • Reactive PR is challenging but fun! • Motivate, stay positive, work as a team Positivity
  • 13.
    Summary – mytop tips • Prepare as much as you can, but also be prepared to change direction! • Be sure to always weigh up your options, get other opinions and manage the risk • Decided to respond? Make it punchy and personal • Be proactive when being reactive – don’t wait for the requests to come to you • And finally, enjoy it!
  • 14.
    Thank you! lizzie_russell@shelter.org.uk 020 75051189 @lizziejrussell www.shelter.org.uk
  • 15.
    Visit the CharityCommswebsite to view slides from past events, see what events we have coming up and to check out what else we do: www.charitycomms.org.uk
  • 16.
    PR Network 16 July2015 London #charityPR PR Network Proactive vs reactive work: finding the balance