[No Comment] Shame on PRISA
By Louise Marsland in Editor's column, Marketing, PR | 7 comments
How unfortunate that the Public Relations Institute of SA (PRISA) has had to postpone its annual national conference due to low bookings. But for a body tasked with communications to issue a statement citing the recent xenophobic violence and “unrest” (its words) in Gauteng as the sole reason for low bookings, is highly irresponsible and so damaging to our country’s image in a climate when most other marketing and communications organisations are busy with damage control for 2010 and just getting on with the job in these challenging times. PRISA tried a new format for the conference this year, with a complicated programme that included topics not strictly related directly to the PR industry. And what with the current strain on the economy, the high annual fees and training in the industry by organisations such as PRISA and other industry related events, it is no wonder there was a low turnout, especially when the programme seemed to miss the mark somewhat. Industry organisations like PRISA need to stick to the knitting in economically-challenged times like this and focus on training and real needs in the industry, not four-day conferences that appeal to a minority. I doubt very much that the fact that fear of travelling to Gauteng - as claimed by PRISA - is the main reason for local PR practitioners not turning up. My extremely full work diary - including a host of clients from around the country - would belie that fact alone. In fact, those events that took place in the week of the worst of the violence, remained oversubscribed. On a happier note, Bizcommunity.com wants to know what you think of us! Our reader survey launches today - with prizes for all who take part, thanks to our sponsor, Token Secrets. Your opinion and input will help inform exciting developments planned for later this year.
Keep warm!
Louise Marsland, editor@bizcommunity.com
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This column originally published 9 June 2008.
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Melissa | Jun 9, 2008 | Reply
Wow I’m gobsmacked that that was the reason they used…your point about ‘missing the mark’ is 100% spot on - ’stick to your knitting’ indeed!
I’m getting a bit tired of organisations trying ‘new’ angles when they should really be focusing on improving their existing structures…many have said that PRISA needs PR, now more than ever I suspect.
Doug O | Jun 9, 2008 | Reply
I know this isn’t a laughing matter, but the cancellation of its national convention by the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa due to ‘poor publicity’, is on a par with, or maybe eclipses, the Irish Clairvoyant Society’s cancellation of its national convention due to ‘unforseen circumstances’
DO
Ramon Thomas | Jun 10, 2008 | Reply
This is like the blind leading the clueless. How can you belong to an organisation that cannot ensure its own publicity if that is your core focus? I would resign immediately if I was a member.
Kalak Roger | Jun 11, 2008 | Reply
As members of a profession that preaches ethics and the need to verify facts before making statements, I am shocked at the insinuations of the editor of bizcommunity. I would like to know which proof she has to back up these allegations. It is no secrete that the recent xenophobic attacks have left a scare and bitter taste to the mouth of many. Travelling to Gauteng, especially Johannesburg for any event will leave so many people weighing the security risk be they nationals or people from abroad. To belittle the security scare that many have when it come s to south Africa shows the editor does not know the magnitude of the damage the xenophobic attacks have done to South Africa and its image. May I suggest we hear a direct account from PRISA?
Louise Marsland | Jun 11, 2008 | Reply
Thank you for your comment Kalak. I see that your IP address comes from PRISA, so you must know that I am in contact with PRISA directly as well.
With respect, I feel you are missing the point: there has been no attempt to downplay the pain and devastation those attacks wrought on South Africans or the negative impact on our beautiful country. The point is that an organisation that claims to represent communications professionals in South Africa, PRISA, put out a statement that put all the blame for the cancellation of its conference next week (apparently it might take place in September now) on external factors without any facts to back it up and which neither I nor clients and contacts canvassed haven’t experienced in the industry.
And I did in fact verify my facts by caucusing with media, PR colleagues in the industry over the PRISA statement, as well as with key event organisers and event hosts in Johannesburg this week. In fact the one conference organiser had experienced a surge in bookings from delegates in other African countries and had a whole delegation from Cape Town attending.
In my experience this is one of the most damaging and poorly conceived press releases I have ever seen - doubly worse since it comes from the body in the industry which is supposed to uphold communications excellence. And since we also receive thousands of releases across our desks every month, we’ve got a pretty good idea of current market activity and what constitutes a good and a bad press release!
I hope that clarifies the issue for you.
Felicity Howden | Jun 12, 2008 | Reply
Whilst I agree that attributing the need for cancelling the Prisa conference to xenophobic violence was ill-advised, as a PR consultant of 20 years standing, I thought that the programme for this year’s conference was one of the most interesting I had seen in many years and I would have attended for this reason if the timing had suited me.
Gill Bayley | Jun 13, 2008 | Reply
YOu go Kim, keep on telling it like it is!