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Does a publicist make it taste better?

By Hershon, Roberta
Publication: Restaurant Hospitality
Date: Friday, November 1 2002
HEADNOTE

Here's what you should mull over when you consider hiring a p.r. firm for your restaurant.

Whether we realize it or not, we are all publicists. We represent and promote ourselves and our businesses every

time we interact with other people. The image we project is our brand, and our brand dictates how customers feel about our products and services.

In any industry, but particularly in the restaurant/hospitality market, a powerful brand is the key to long-term successespecially in a highly competitive market.

Public relations is not just for large organizations. In the long run it's far less costly and often more effective than print or broadcast advertising. A publicist can help build and/ or cement a brand, but you must sustain it. Today, the steak is just as important as the sizzle.

Public relations is often harder than it looks. It is a fulltime job to promote a business, develop and run events and garner coverage. Only try this in-house if you have the right staff with the right contacts who can manage the effort while you run your dayto-day business. Otherwise, the following questions should help you navigate the public relations' selection process.

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