The prolific Elizabeth Albrycht tackles the question of a PR person’s role in a media interview.
She concludes that the PR person’s role is as a facilitator.
I agree and I find that most journalists and analysts have no issue with a PR presence in an interview. There are rare moments where you may have to interject to correct a misunderstanding but as Elizabeth writes we’re there to track the conversation, note actions, points of follow up etc.
Of course there are a number of journalists who object to the presence of PR people in a meeting. But in many cases I have found executives are more comfortable with a PR representative present. That’s a good thing. It also should ensure that action items are followed up – which won’t always be the case if the harrassed executive is on their own and of course that the executive will turn up in the right place at the right time….
I sympathize with journalists who complain when PR people try and drive an agenda in a meeting. It’s not our role. Back off and let your spokespeople speak.
Murphy's Law 