Tristan Waldvogel’s Post

Sometimes very little. The difference is really in the talent. You're hiring individuals, when the deliverable is comparable to that provided by consultants. I've met and worked with plenty of PR and advertising agency execs who are as proficient at approaching and considering client challenges as business strategists as they are in their role as marketers and communicators. These individuals should be on any agency team you hire. #pr #publicrelations #communication

In Delhi’s fast-paced PR industry, retaining top talent is no easy feat. Every corner of the city has a new PR agency or creative boutique popping up, and there’s fierce competition for professionals who raise the bar. While things have shifted since 2021, for many PR experts, it’s not just about the paycheck—it’s about the type of work they do and the value they bring. As someone who's been in the industry for over a decade, I’ve learned that those who are truly passionate about PR have endless opportunities at their fingertips. But if you're a PR agency founder, especially in Delhi, one critical lesson I’ve learned is this: offer your team real challenges to overcome and give them the autonomy to create. While perks like hybrid work, competitive compensation, and benefits like ESOPs are definitely attractive, what’s more important is ensuring your team feels ownership and is engaged in meaningful, strategic work. One common mistake many founders make is relying solely on senior leadership or account managers to solve client problems. The truth is, PR professionals today don’t just want to execute strategies—they want to help shape them. That’s what keeps them motivated and committed to the agency. At Stanley Communications we’ve maintained a high retention rate by focusing on giving our team the creative freedom to drive projects and truly own their work. This has been a key factor in our growth and success. If you’re looking to retain top PR talent, it’s time to ask yourself: Are you offering them ownership and the opportunity to identify and solve real challenges? #PR #Stanley #hiring

In my first corporate comms role, I was a one-woman band. I worked cross-functionally with local and global teams and with executive leadership. I was responsible for -Comms planning and measurement -Sourcing and managing an agency -Media Relations (partner, products and corporate) -Executive thought leadership -Reputation management -- issues and crisis -Trade PR -Internal communications Even then, it was a lot. Today, to manage corporate reputation, communicators do even more (e.g., social, influencer, executive comms, change management comms, employer brand) Think about that when you are working with your corporate communications team. And remember, it takes resources, a team and a budget to do it well. #CorporateComms #StrategicCommunications #CommunicationsLeadership

What I Love about a Career in PR & Communications. Let me count the ways. 🙌 I love that I connected with a career that I felt passionate about b/c it has made every day fun, especially as I grow in life and experience. I deeply love what I do and could come up with 10 more of these things (will save that for another  time). In the meantime, here’s my top 5 for what I love about a career in PR &  Communications: 1.) The Human Relationships =  I love people and appreciate the meaningful relationships that are created through the job. 2.) The Hustle = I love working hard for my clients and turning no’s into yes.’ 3.) The Creativity  = I love that in PR/Communications, creativity is required to be successful. It’s a lot of fun to find ways to break through. 4.) The Dynamism = I love how nothing stays the same in the world of PR.  You are evolving as the world does. Your business depends on it. 5.) The Wins = It sure is a rush when you make your clients happy! #PR #publicrelations #communications #PRagency 

Communications ++ The role of 'PR' professionals/ communicators/ corporate communications is usually put in a box. People tend to think 'this role is to send out press releases' or fabricate narratives. That era is passe. This role has now evolved and think of communications as an underlying architecture to your tools. Communicators can help with: - Digital Marketing - Product Marketing - Sales - Customer experience/ engagement - Better team communications It is more a role of building everything together with a strong foundation of transparent and data driven communications. Here is a request to all hiring managers/ CHROs to please not box the function. This, perhaps, can be one of the most versatile roles in the organisation.

Considering bringing on a PR consultant or a fractional director to support your team? Here are some of the ways I’ve supported public relations agencies and in-house comms teams: - Strategic Alignment: Developed PR plans that achieve clients’ strategic goals, driving awareness and consideration among their target audiences. - Account & People Management (including #leavecovers): Served as the agency point person for key clients, driving PR programs, coaching and empowering account teams to achieve PR greatness. - Media, Broadcast & Influencer Relations: Crafted narratives that brought clients’ brand messaging to life, enabling external advocates to tell these stories to their audiences in meaningful ways. - New Business Pitching: Led pitch teams to deliver excellence, presenting to and winning over new clients spanning destinations, hotels, travel advisors, restaurants, etc. Want to learn more? Email ([email protected]) or DM me, and let's connect! #fractionalPR #publicrelations #PRagency #freelance #consulting

"Strategic" in PR: What Does It Even Mean?!!?! Ever since I started recruiting in PR (2011), this has been the most thrown around buzzword, and it hasn't gone away. Hiring managers always ask for "Strategic" candidates, but what does that even mean??!! How can you become a more "strategic" PR/Comms Pro? Full disclaimer, I've never been a PR/Comms professional (queue the imposter syndrome feelings), but I've been around the block long enough to know what impresses hiring managers (not to mention some of the greatest coaches never played the sport they coach professionally...). Strategic Thinking goes beyond tactics and involves understanding the big picture, anticipating future trends, and crafting CREATIVE communication plans that align with overall business goals. - Become a Knowledge Sponge 🧽📚 • Read widely 📰🌐 • Seek diverse perspectives 🗣️🌈 • Develop a futurist mindset 🔮 - Embrace Active Curiosity 🤔💡 • Ask questions ❓ • Challenge assumptions 🔍 • Connect the dots 🕸️ - Leverage Data & Research 📊🔬 • Conduct market research 🎯 • Track industry data 📈 • Analyze trends 📉 Thinking Outside the Box in PR: -Embrace New Tech 🤖📱 (hello AI)• Explore innovative channels 🎥🎮 • Stay ahead of the curve 🏄♂️ • Think beyond traditional media 🎙️ -Collaboration is Key 🤝🔑 • Break down silos 🧱💥 • Find cross-industry inspiration 🌟 • Partner with non-traditional influencers 🤳 -Embrace Calculated Risks 🎲📊 • Pilot innovative projects 🚀 • Learn from failure 📚🔧 • Stay flexible 🤸♀️ Remember: Strategic PR blends big-picture knowledge with creative innovation! 🧠✨ #PRWeek #PRovokemedia #PRAgency #PublicRelations #Communications #TWsearchpartners

Feeling stuck in your communications career? You're not alone! Many communicators face a lack of support, missed promotions, or difficult bosses. The good news? You don’t have to stay stuck. The Comms Collab is about helping you break through career blocks and rediscover your passion for the work you love. Share your biggest workplace challenge in the comments. Let’s help each other grow! #thecommscollab #communications #marketing #pr #branding

I see so many entry-level professionals entering and exiting the PR industry in just a few months and choosing a new career path altogether. This usually happens as soon as the reality hits. The fallacy that PR is easy and all glitz and glamour – where you only need to work a few hours while managing events, award ceremonies, and campaigns – quickly fades as the pressures of this demanding role kicks in. There’s a reason it’s said, “PR is not everyone’s cup of tea”. Despite it all, if you want to survive in PR, here are some tips that might help you: • Be okay working under tight deadlines • Treat your to-do list like your companion • Don’t take the word “no” too personally  • Be willing to build strong, authentic relations with the media   • Develop content skills – put your creative hat on • Be aware and curious at all times – keep ignorance at bay • Find your voice; being shy is not the way to get ahead in PR Last but an important one, get comfortable being uncomfortable. This way, you will learn to adapt and deal with the unknowns. #PR #PublicRelations #PRIndustry #Communication #Media

Putting together the JD for a comms role can sometimes feel like a parody of that infamous O-Town song. You’re dreaming about a candidate that’s a mix of C.J. Cregg with just a little touch of Tree Paine’s 𝚜̶𝚝̶𝚢̶𝚕̶𝚎̶ strategy and Jen Psaki’s 𝚜̶𝚖̶𝚒̶𝚕̶𝚎̶ media relations style. Perhaps in response to the sheer number of top-tier communicators on the job market at the moment, more and more JDs are requiring an almost comical level of hyper specific experience (ex. candidates will only be considered if they have 10+ years of experience leading comms for a grain-based CPG product). But just as CJ Cregg effortlessly shifted from a top entertainment PR firm to the West Wing, the best comms pros have core skills that set them up for success in any industry. If we focus in on the wrong thing, we run the risk of not only sidelining our favorite fictional publicists, we undoubtedly leave top-tier talent on the "no pile" in the real world. I know that there are some notable exceptions where strong storytelling, tenacity, and the ability to skill up on an industry quickly alone won’t cut it (scientific communications, technical comms roles, etc.). I’m not diminishing those skill sets or the need for that expertise- but I promise you the SVP that hasn’t (yet) worked at a grain-based CPG product could still knock it out of the park… and you might just benefit from their fresh perspective as you work to expand your customer base.