BLAST PR INTERNSHIP
Towards the end of January 2020, I began interning for Blast PR, a traditional public relations firm that provides strategic services to several B2B clients with a focus on companies in the digital media and advertising industry.
Media Relations
While my previous internships had a strong focus on marketing and social media, being a Blast PR intern has helped me gain experience in the traditional world of media relations and research. During my internship, I’ve compiled numerous press lists and briefing sheets, pitched reporters, and gained insight into media training.
To date, I believe my most common assignment has been to compile press lists for clients, based on the content of a pitch or the vertical that the client would like pursue. Besides the use of basic search engines, this task has taught me how to use services such as Cision and Meltwater to find exactly what I’m looking for.
As I began interning for Blast PR, I was very excited to start emailing pitches and cultivate relationships with reporters. Since then, I have drafted and sent out many pitches on our clients' behalf, revolving around potential interviews, recent research and infographics, and timely abstracts.
Over the course of my internship, I have prepared several briefing sheets - a measure to ensure that clients are prepared to meet with reporters. Research included in these documents include information on how to attend the meeting, the meeting’s topic, potential interview questions, the reporter’s background, the publication’s background, and the reporter’s previous relevant coverage.
Blast PR routinely holds brown bag talks on best practices in the industry, presented by employees in senior positions. Thus far, I’ve been able to attend two talks on interview intervention and media training, and feel as though I’ve learned a great deal about prepping clients for meetings with reporters.
Writing + Content Creation
This internship has broadly expanded my practical knowledge of writing for clients. Learning how to keep tone, perspective, and preference in check while writing long-form pieces is a lesson I will surely take with me to future endeavors.
I’m grateful for the chances I’ve been given so far to take a first pass at drafting press releases for clients. Although I wrote press releases during past opportunities, writing for Blast PR’s clients has taught me so much more about transforming a client’s request to promote a new partnership or service into a real statement that is being put out into the world.
I have drafted a number of blog posts and POV statements during my internship - both for clients and for Blast PR. Those assignments have certainly been an interesting exercise in leaning into company culture, while still maintaining a professional manner.
In the past, I’ve been tasked with proofreading and editing bylined articles - thought leadership pieces from senior-level executives at client companies. Additionally, I have completed research on which publications would be the best tonal fit for the article in question.
My first assignment at Blast PR was to create blank submission forms for upcoming speaking opportunities and award entries that clients may be interested in. In the present, after learning a lot about our clients, I’ve been given the responsibility to draft several of these submissions myself before they’re shared with clients. Four months really makes a difference!
Tracking, Research + Reports
Blast PR has an inspiring dedication to organization in all aspects of its work. Over time, I’ve contributed to research projects, tracking documents and end-of-quarter reports.
In my time at Blast PR, I’ve been asked to conduct research on various topics at the request of clients. I’ve prepared items for review on the Olympics, privacy, influencer trends, TV shows, foreign publications and news on competitors.
One of my ongoing projects is to update the various verticals on our Master PandAs (Press and Analyst Contact Managers) with editorial opportunities for clients. This involves reaching out to editors of pertinent publications to learn about their submission guidelines, circulation numbers, contact information, and potential pricing models.
Blast PR tracks relevant opportunities for clients in event and award trackers. On occasion, I’ve been asked to refresh various clients’ trackers with updated information and research new events to attend and awards to pursue in the following year.
As the first quarter of the year came to a close, I prepared many quarterly benchmark reports to be presented to clients. These presentations compare Blast PR’s activity and effort put toward a client with the client’s “benchmark” expectation.