As a CEO or president, you’re tasked with guiding your company to success and ensuring your brand remains strong in a competitive market. One often overlooked tool in this effort is public relations (PR). When fully integrated into your marketing strategy, PR can raise brand awareness, foster trust, and position your company as a thought leader in your industry.
Encouraging your marketing team to fully engage in a PR strategy is not just an option—it’s critical to staying relevant in today’s marketplace. If you’re not telling your company’s story, your competitors will gladly fill that void. Here’s why you should make PR a priority and how involving your executive leadership can enhance your efforts.
Building Brand Awareness Through Executive Leadership
When the CEO or leadership team is actively involved in PR efforts, it significantly elevates brand awareness. Industry publications, news outlets, and online media are always looking for valuable content and expert insights. By having your leadership contribute thought leadership pieces, participate in interviews, or engage in public speaking events, your company gets featured in the media as a trusted source of information.
CEOs and executives are the face of the company. When they share insights on industry trends, business strategies, or innovations, it humanizes the brand and connects with audiences on a deeper level. The more your leadership is visible in the public eye, the more recognizable and trustworthy your brand becomes. Trust is one of the most important factors influencing buying decisions. According to the Edelman Trust Barometer, 81% of consumers say they need to trust a brand to buy from them.
Promoting Trust and Credibility
A strong PR strategy helps establish credibility in a way that paid advertising often can’t. When the CEO or executive leadership team is featured in reputable news outlets, it provides third-party validation that strengthens your company’s reputation. Being quoted in the media, publishing thought leadership articles, and being featured in high-profile interviews all contribute to positioning your company as a leader in the industry.
When potential customers see that your leadership is being sought out for expert opinions, they are more likely to view your company as trustworthy and reliable. This trust builds relationships and gives potential customers a reason to consider your products or services over competitors who may not have that same level of exposure or credibility.
Thought Leadership and Media Opportunities
Editors, reporters, and content creators are constantly looking for fresh stories and expert perspectives to share with their readers. Thought leadership from executives provides exactly that. By offering valuable insights and thought-provoking content, you make it easier for the media to cover your company. And if they aren’t getting stories from you, rest assured, they’ll be getting them from your competitors.
In today’s fast-paced media environment, it’s crucial to seize the opportunity to tell your company’s story. Being a thought leader not only positions your company as an industry authority but also creates a long-lasting impression on potential customers and partners.
The Cost of Not Engaging in PR
Choosing not to engage in a full-scale PR strategy is leaving the door wide open for competitors to tell their stories while your brand fades into the background. Companies that embrace PR are continually building their reputation, gaining media coverage, and staying top-of-mind for potential customers. If your company isn’t actively engaging in PR, you risk being overlooked and losing market share to competitors who are more visible.
Make PR a Priority
As a CEO, you have the power to lead your company to new heights by prioritizing a strong PR strategy. Encourage your marketing team to fully engage in PR efforts, and don’t hesitate to step into the spotlight yourself. Whether it’s through interviews, thought leadership articles, or speaking engagements, your involvement can elevate your brand and create lasting trust with your audience.
At Geile/Leon, we specialize in managing PR strategies that align with your business goals. We track down media opportunities, work with editors to get your stories published, and position your leadership as industry thought leaders.
If you’re ready to explore how a robust PR strategy can benefit your company, let’s talk. We’d be happy to help you think through your PR opportunities and determine how we can assist you in executing a plan that delivers results. Reach out to Terri at 314-727-5850, ext. 116 or [email protected].