Journalists, PR executives explain the traits of talented PR pros

Though some posts I came across while researching this post were downright effusive about how wonderful PR people are, others contained language that might be deemed unfit for work.

The reporter’s view

I’ll start off by referring to the very informative blog post by Matt Hartley, the editor of the Financial Post‘s Tech Desk, in which he demonstrated an informed understanding of the symbiotic relationship between reporters and PR professionals:

“When I was in journalism school, I never realized just how much of my day as a working reporter would be spent sifting through press releases and dealing with public relations professionals.

“It’s true, some reporters have no time for PR people. Reporters are busy, so sometimes it’s understandable that they might get a little impatient with someone who is pitching a story in which the reporter clearly has no interest. Personally, I do my best to be polite to PR folks and give them my full attention.