I, along with 8 million other viewers in America, tuned into ABC the other night to watch the latest episode of Scandal. In case you’re one of the 318.1 million Americans who aren’t familiar, the show Scandal is centered on Olivia Pope, a former media consultant to the president who also operates her own crisis-management firm in Washington D.C.
While Scandal is (pathetically) usually the highlight of my Thursday nights, I started to realize that it, along with shows like Sex and the City and House of Cards, sometimes depicts the Public Relations industry in a twisted light. For example…
We dress to the nines every day. OK. Let me just call out that I am currently wearing camouflage work out pants, a tank top and my Brooks sneakers. If I’m not meeting with a client or attending a press conference (or something else that requires me to look like the professional my mother thinks I am) my ‘dress to impress’ outfit is more like ‘dress for comfort, because when I’m comfortable I work better and can land super amazing front page stories for my clients.’ But if it makes you think more highly of me, the pants and tank are from lululemon.
Public Relations firms are for celebrities. While I can assure you that I’ve had some clients think they are celebrities, they in fact are not. Many brands and companies seek Public Relations agencies to handle their communication. Whether it be a notable public figure or a start up tech company, public relations agencies are not just for the rich and famous (although let me be clear that we prefer you to be rich).
VIP status. All day, every day. HA! I’m still waiting on my invite to the Met Ball. Really though, we tend to be more of the behind the scenes folks. In reality, working in Public Relations is way more down to earth than TV depicts. There are still “OMG this is the most exciting thing ever!” days, but it’s usually because the producer of FOX & Friends listened to my segment idea instead of hanging up on me.
No boys allowed. Our CEO is a man. The end.
Only young professionals need apply. I should have clarified the above. Our CEO is a 40-something-year-old man. (We still think you rock, Lorne).
