Leveraging the Power of Outsourced Public Relations

In the modern business world, roles such as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Human Resources Officer, or Chief Investment Officer are recognizable and often necessary to sustain an organization's growth. In the last decade, as public image has taken more priority, many mid to large organizations have created the Chief Public Relations Officer role.

The Chief Public Relations Officer generally reports to the C-suite and oversees communications, public relations, and public affairs of an organization. This role is also known as the Chief Communications Officer.

For large and mid-sized organizations with significant public-facing engagement, a full-time Public Relations Officer, leading an internal team, is necessary in today's non-stop global media landscape. Companies must be ready to deal with media issues quickly, whether stemming from real-world operational situations or viral social media posts that capture media attention.

For less well-known or growing organizations, the Outsourced Public Relations Officer (OPRO) may be a better path. Like the more familiar Outsourced CFO or CIO, the PRO is a flexible senior resource available for current or ongoing needs.

For organizations focused on growing visibility, media opportunities generated by an OPRO will likely focus on positive stories featuring products or services. This type of media engagement can energize executives. While less of an OPRO's time would likely be spent on crisis communications or dealing with negative press issues.

As much as a growing organization needs to focus on the bottom line, headcount, and other business factors, engaging with an OPRO will allow you to more quickly engage with your external stakeholders, with the goal of driving visibility and revenue.