Sat through a presentation yesterday by a client to a Reporter and can’t begin to stress how much his presentation was helped by recent media training… amazing how people with great ideas, products and services sometimes present them so poorly – lots of facts and figures, lots of umms, and boring!

This video illustrates a lot of what’s wrong with trying to use the same techniques for all, without a concrete message.

Media and presentation training is necessary, now even more so in this economic environment, and at this PR agency we are doing more of it than ever before.

Ronn Torossian

5WPR

With the combination of a work-focused weekend, an arduous Monday, and a seemingly merciless economy, I often feel this year, the seventh year of my PR firm, resembles the first.  It has been a continual hunt for clients and media, and the war wages on.  Its grueling work, but I never forget, it’s also fun and rewarding.  I am reminded every day how important it is to have passion for what you do and I strive to create this environment for my clients and staff.

Today, I hosted a great networking event, which was keynoted by my client, friend and prominent immigration attorney, Michael Wildes, the Mayor of Englewood, New Jersey. He gave a fascinating and enlightening presentation about the state of immigration in the US, and the politics of immigration.

On a final note, I am happy to launch 5W’s new website today (www.5wpr.com), and remain very invigorated about a number of fascinating client initiatives which we are working on.

Public Relations is a continually evolving business, but its never dull.  Bigger and better – 5WPR – October 2009.

Ronn Torossian

5WPR

Yesterday’s post by Matt Eventoff had some tips learned from the mistakes of Rick Wagoner, recently ousted Chief Executive Officer of General Motors I thought worthy of sharing, including:

Lesson #1 -  Fly Commercial – …everything you do sends a message…

Lesson #2 – Know your subject  – If you are presenting on a subject,  you MUST be able to answer basic questions…

Lesson #3 – If you say a lot of different things, you say nothing  – If you are making a request, you must have a central message…

Lesson #4 – Tone and Body Language Matter

Lesson #5 – Practice. Practice. Practice

All PR agencies, PR firms, and communicators need to understand the importance of messaging and preparation.

Ronn Torossian

5WPR

One of the most enjoyable aspects of owning a public relations agency (and working in PR in general) is the ability to meet a multitude of interesting people.  I have regularly met billionaires, fascinating entrepreneurs, celebrities and politicians over the years.  Today, I met the rare honest politician, and he very much impressed me.  These meetings reaffirm the beauty of working in PR and touching a variety of different industries.

Today, with many clients and friends of the agency in attendance, 5WPR hosted a speech by Nir Barkat, the just elected Mayor of the most magical city in the world, Jerusalem.  I met Barkat a few years ago and have spent time with him since then both in Jerusalem and here in the U.S.  He truly is the quintessential non-politician, and as his friend, I am proud to have been his first host in NYC during his first official visit as Mayor.  He discussed Jerusalem’s relationship with the American community, and he said, “I propose a partnership where those worldwide who care about the future of Jerusalem participate in the city’s development.  Under my leadership, the city of Jerusalem will build relationships, and we will do business together.”

Barkat spoke of public-private partnerships that allow overseas individuals who aid in Jerusalem’s development to meet the cream de la crème of Jerusalem’s business community.  I have always believed government should encourage business and that people who meet with mutual interests (even non-business related) will end up being beneficial to one another (and Barkat specifically mentioned sports, which I agree drives deep bonds).

Barkat, who is a self-made multi-millionaire through his entrepreneurial ventures, is truly a special individual.  I believe he will do great things in, and for, Jerusalem.  If there were more politicians worldwide like him, I believe more cities would thrive financially.

If you may be interested in attending future events here at the agency, please email me and let me know.  They are excellent ways to meet business contacts.

Ronn Torossian

5WPR

Friday morning, as part of our ongoing speaker series, 5WPR hosted Rev. Al Sharpton.  Although I disagree with him politically, Sharpton has influence and access, and he brought a new view to our conference room.  He’s clearly a messenger with a voice in politics and the media, and someone we can learn from.

As a PR agency, we host a speaker series for our clients, friends, contacts, and the media.  In the past four months, our speakers have included Hank Sheinkopf (a friend and very smart political consultant… daily on CNN), Roger Stone (political genius), two Israeli MK’s, including Gilad Arden (a probable Minister in a Netanyahu administration) and Yoel Hasson, a longtime friend and Chairman of Kadima (current ruling party), among a slew of others.  It’s beneficial for our clients, interesting and exciting.

Sharpton’s topic was Race & Business in the Obama Administration.  He spoke quite eloquently, acknowledging that while a significant glass ceiling has been broken, there is still a ways to go.  “We’ve made a lot of progress, but I don’t think we should stop until we make it all the way,” he said

When asked how far he thinks he has moved the Civil Rights movement, he responded, “We have made enormous progress, [but] Martin Luther King used to say ‘you gotta measure things from the bottom to the top.’  So we made a lot of top progress, but the bottom has to be on the same progressive curve as the top.  You can’t just have Tiger Woods, Oprah Winfrey, Barack Obama, but double unemployment in Harlem and act like it’s not important.  That’s where the challenges still remain.”

Sharpton’s entire presentation can be heard at 5W Public Relations’ YouTube page.
The presentation is broken into three segments:
Part -1:
Part -2:
Part -3:

Sharpton’s most resonating words for me were, “This isn’t the end of grievance politics.  There will be grievance politics as long as there are grievances.”  Working with a ton of politicians on PR issues, I agree that as long as there’s politics there will be grievances.

It was an all around exhausting week, so I’ll end with a quote from an investment banking friend, who said: “Most people DON’T have a clue what they’re doing and the ones that do work their asses off – right?”  I concur.  It’s not easy being a business owner.

Ronn Torossian
5W PR