For several blog pieces now I have taken note of the slaughter in the media industry. The news industry, especially, has been decimated by layoffs and publication failures. For every media group, it seems, laying off a thousand employees or more is only a start in the cost cutting. Marty Pompadur, the exiting Chairman of News Corp Europe recently predicted a steep recession for the media industry. Long and very deep.
In the face of the downturn I have been suggesting in different blog articles that savvy business hire laid off journalists to handle some of their proposals, marcom materials and to assist with public relations opportunities. Apparently, Former General Manager of MSNBC Dan Abrams had a similar idea, only he took the concept a major step further and went into business for himself.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Abrams has founded Abrams Research, a media strategy firm. The new firm is designed to assist senior executives in dealing with the public relations challenges they confront on a regular basis. The public relations issues can range from blogger adversity to mergers and acquistions.
Abrams has assembled a network of media personalities who will work with clients. The firm will be charging an hourly fee. In all, it is not only a terrific idea it is one whose time has come. Certain public relations firms may be equipped to handle this kind of subject matter. But a good many are not. Additionally, this kind of work requires hand holding and lobbying, interfacing with the media on levels the average public relations executive would find inaccessible.
Given the roster from which Abrams can draw, I am sure the preemployment screening aspects will prove a snap. As more and more media people are laid off, he will have a rich pool to choose from. So will you, if you belive you can retain media savvy folk for in-house assignments. Even for contractual work, or part time.
It’s a smart move. Check them out before you hire.
