Our POV on What PR Gets Wrong in 2025

Our POV on What PR Gets Wrong in 2025

Let’s be clear: PR is not broken. But a lot of it is stale, safe, and stuck in 2017. In 2025, brands are moving faster than ever. The press cycle is shorter, media gatekeepers have shifted, and attention is more expensive. So why do so many PR campaigns still rely on the same tired playbooks? Here’s what we believe the industry is getting wrong—and how we’re doing it differently.

1. Confusing Visibility with Strategy

Getting seen isn’t the goal. Getting remembered is. Many agencies celebrate “impressions” without asking: Did it move the needle? Did it reinforce positioning? A random roundup mention isn’t a win if it doesn’t serve the larger brand arc.

PR should ladder up to business goals. Every placement must have a purpose.

2. Relying Too Heavily on Media Lists

Media lists don’t get coverage—relationships do. We’ve seen too many firms blast the same pitch to 200 reporters with zero customization. Editors know. The result? Radio silence. In 2025, success lies in targeted, respectful, value-based outreach that treats journalists like collaborators, not targets.

3. Mistaking Volume for Value

Five fluff pieces in low-impact outlets won’t outweigh one thoughtful feature in a publication your audience actually reads. We prioritize:

• Outlet relevance
• Reporter alignment
• Story depth

You don’t need more coverage—you need the right coverage.

4. Not Letting Founders Speak Like Themselves

In an effort to sound “professional,” too many comms pros strip the life out of their clients’ voices. But in a world driven by authenticity, personality sells. We work to amplify a founder’s voice, not sanitize it. If you’re memorable in the room, you should be memorable in print.

5. Chasing Trends, Not Setting Them

It’s tempting to jump on trending topics—but real PR builds the narrative, not rides the wave. We help brands shape conversation over time, positioning them as originators and thought leaders. It’s the difference between being quoted once and being called back every time.

6. Treating Launches Like Endings

Too many PR campaigns fizzle after launch day. But earned media momentum builds over time. We believe in pre-launch seeding, post-launch amplification, and evergreen storytelling. A great campaign lives for months—sometimes years—if you plan it right.

7. Ignoring Visual Narrative

In 2025, if your pitch doesn’t have visual assets, it’s DOA. Reporters need clean, engaging images—lifestyle, product, behind-the-scenes. We invest in visuals that extend the story and give outlets a reason to run the piece faster, and bigger.

8. Forgetting That PR Isn’t Just for the Press

Public relations isn’t just media—it’s how the public relates to your brand. That means PR intersects with social, email, sales decks, investor updates, and more. A good media mention isn’t the finish line—it’s the fuel for a dozen other brand moments.

Final Thought

PR in 2025 isn’t about spinning stories—it’s about shaping perception. That means being strategic, brave, and deeply audience-aware. At TAG Collective, we don’t just book press. We build brands that people talk about, trust, and buy into.

If your current PR feels like it’s going through the motions—it probably is. Let’s change that.