The vast majority (89%) of PR professionals say they yearn for the good old days when the world of b2b PR was celebrated for its boozy client lunches and regular p*** ups, according to new industry research.
The study of more than 23 UK-based PR pros sheds light on how those in the industry believe they are being subjected to overly dry and sober working conditions compared to the more lubricated days of old. This has been characterised by a dramatic decrease in the number of client lunch meetings that end up in a dodgy East London karaoke bar at 4pm on a Tuesday afternoon.
As well as the thirst for regular overindulgences, the survey found that more than four-fifths (82%) of respondents lament the downscaling of the weekly drinks trolley, while 75% are still struggling to come to terms with the traumatic removal of the office champagne fridge.
Many even admitted that they have become “disillusioned” with the current b2b PR environment, which requires them to act professionally at all times – even though their offices are surrounded by ‘epic drinking spots.’
“No matter how much we try to ignore it, the sad truth is that the PR industry just isn’t what it used to be. I’m not saying professionalism is a bad thing, but there’s only so many coffee meetings one can take,” commented Oliver Bigwig, CEO of the UK PR Union, the company behind the research.
“We may have been pi**** during much of the 90s, but dammit we delivered results! I firmly believe that the limited amount of alcohol in today’s workplaces is holding back the flair and creativity of PR pros everywhere. It’s time b2b PR went back to the way things used to be. Cheers!”
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