PR ON THE GO August 8, 2023

How To Push Boundaries In Your Industry With PR - Top Campaign Examples

In the dynamic world of entrepreneurship, where innovation thrives and risks are embraced, the role of Public Relations (PR) emerges as a catalyst for pushing the boundaries of possibility.

Entrepreneurs, by nature, are daring trailblazers who seek new horizons and challenge norms. Within this realm, PR becomes not just a communication tool, but a strategic vehicle to create profound brand awareness and venture into uncharted territories of brand messaging.

In this expert panel, we delve into the realm of visionary PR campaigns that exemplify the art of pushing boundaries. We've consulted our pool of PR and growth experts to uncover contemporary examples of experimental PR endeavors, where calculated risk-taking has paved the way for unprecedented success.

Join us as we explore the intriguing synergy between audacious entrepreneurship and the world of public relations, uncovering the benefits of embracing calculated risks and seizing the potential of innovative brand messaging.

Navigating the Fine Line Between Audacity and Audience Engagement

Emily Reynolds-Bergh, R Public Relations

"You know the saying–all publicity is good publicity! Just like in investing, risk-takers have the opportunity to reap more rewards, but they also risk fall-out with loyal audiences. At the very least, taking risks in PR can attract more media attention in our saturated market. A great current example of a PR risk-taker is Bumble. The dating app is known for putting together buzzy, honest campaigns with in-person elements that work to engage audiences new and old."

Crafting Playful PR

Tasia Duske, Museum Hack

"Embracing current pop culture moments and trends (or evergreen, iconic pop culture themes) is a great way for businesses to score some natural PR wins. However, brands have to be careful with co-opting intellectual property. One way to go about this is to be cheeky and self-aware about skirting a copyright.

For example, we named one of our museum experiences, "Completely Unofficial And Definitely Unlicensed Boy Wizard Tours," to inspire the idea of a certain famous literary wizard without attracting potential legal troubles. The playful nature of the name scored us some traction in major publications. While most brands go coy and subtle with these mentions, consider poking a little fun at your limitations and using humor to draw attention to the product or post."

Turning Risks into Rewards

Kirkland Gee, Perfect Extraction

"A brand can become more well-known by taking PR risks; companies like Burger King and Nike have found success with this tactic. By departing from the norm and creating noise in their respective industries, these brands turned controversy into conversation.

With their advertising campaign, Burger King dared to show a moldy Whopper. They pledged to eliminate artificial preservatives, and the unusual visualization served as a testament to that promise, igniting debates about the quality of food. Similar to this, Nike's bold decision to partner with outspoken activist Colin Kaepernick was a bold step that connected the brand with a social justice movement and their target audience.

In addition to improving brand visibility and differentiation, these creative PR initiatives also elevated these companies' positions as thought leaders. Finally, businesses that are brave enough to take risks with their PR campaigns can greatly benefit, improving audience engagement and brand recognition. Innovative PR strategies aim to connect the brand with a cause, start conversations, and stand out in a crowded market, not just to court controversy."

Risk-Taking in PR: Elevating Entrepreneurial Reputation and Reach

Matthew Ramirez, Rephrase

"Taking more risks in public relations can have several benefits for entrepreneurs, such as improving the business's reputation and boosting sales. One effective way to do this is by engaging in media relations, which involves reaching out to various media outlets to promote their offerings. This approach can enhance brand visibility and expand the customer base. Entrepreneurs can also leverage social media platforms to connect with their target audience and advertise their products or services.

In today's world, it is crucial to seize every PR opportunity, no matter how insignificant it may seem. Even if your company is not well-known in a particular field, if you are asked by a local news outlet to give your opinion on a relevant industry matter, don't decline. Demonstrating your knowledge on relevant subjects will establish you as an expert, showcasing your value as a forward-thinking leader and enhancing the reputation of your brand.

Taking risks in PR allows entrepreneurs to try out different brand messages and see what works best for their business. It helps them push their boundaries and understand their potential. By taking risks, they can experiment with different messages and determine what resonates with their audience and how they can enhance their communication strategies."

Carving Paths to Unforgettable Entrepreneurial Branding

Lana Gerton, lanagerton.com

"You know, being an entrepreneur is a bit like being an explorer in a vast jungle, and PR? Well, it's like your trusty machete, helping you hack through the thick foliage of obscurity.

Speaking of hacking, have you seen Burger King's "Moldy Whopper" campaign? They flaunted a moldy burger to show off their no-preservatives stance. Crazy, right? But it worked like magic, proving that daring PR moves can unveil authenticity and spark conversations.

Remember Tesla's Cybertruck reveal? Elon Musk showed off a truck that seemed to have zoomed in from a sci-fi flick. It was a risk that paid off big time. Taking such leaps in PR can truly set you apart in a sea of sameness.

Why take these leaps? Well, think of it as turning on a spotlight in a dark room – you become unmissable! Risky PR captures attention and etches your brand into memory. Plus, it's where you can have some real fun with your messages. Imagine social media as your playground, where you run interactive posts and behind-the-scenes sneak peeks. It's like having an inside joke with your audience, creating a tight-knit community.

So, here's the deal: taking risks in PR is like adding chili flakes to your entrepreneurial recipe. It's about turning the mundane into the extraordinary.

So, jump in, stand out, and make your brand unforgettable!"

Embracing Calculated Risk: PR Ventures That Defy Expectations

Andrew Boyd, Forte Analytica

"When Sapcex put a Tesla in space: Not only did they successfully launch the Falcon Heavy, which was a feat in its own right, but when it reached orbit and the fairings fell away, the payload revealed to Elon Musk's own Tesla Roadster. It's still in space and there are a number of websites tracking its position.

I think entrepreneurs need to account for risk. There is no guarantee that a PR campaign will actually deliver the desired outcome. In my experience as a marketer pitching content for clients, there is a 50/50 success rate (where success is a campaign that gets picked up by a significant number of outlets and spreads). It's arbitrary too. Sometimes a piece of content goes well, but a similar campaign flops. With that being the case, you need to offset the downside, which, in my opinion, means creating something more unique than you may initially be comfortable with. It doesn't always have to be super risky. It can just be timely. For example, WWF recently took advantage of Twitter's rebranding to X over time by depicting a timeline of blue Twitter icons with an X at the end to highlight the threat of extinction for some species. I thought that was a stroke of opportune marketing genius."

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