press-con or marriage party

First, apologies for moving away for more than a month! It's just that business-related writing and stuff just keeps me busy without any self-interest. But I wanted to see how boring it can get. But yes, media, the glamour part can get anyone hooked on to it--be it the newspapers, channels, or other media available out on the space. This post is on the press conference of STAR India's new logo and the new brand campaign (16th June, 7.30 pm, Taj Mansingh).

This time I reached before time for this press conference which was scheduled to start at 7 pm, I was told it was at 7.30pm (it started at 8.30pm) at Taj Mansingh, Delhi. I reached because I thought I could get late due to traffic. Non-journos can sympathise, as no event starts on time neither any journalist reaches on time. And, this is the rule of this road. But this time, this journalist was before time, as she had no clue on what she was going to write on as the boss only had said--they are doing some 'revamp' thing (she still doesn't know)! Then the formal procedure starts--you enter, you register, pick up your media kit and go in, meanwhile, you don't forget to co-ordinate with that particular PR with whom you are in touch with to take things forward. As these big companies always know which medium/newspaper/channel they want to give the exclusive to. Then happens the formal press conference where you get a CD, a press note, and some PR/Corporate Communications contacts written on them.

Then starts the real drama. Journos keep coming (freshers will reach first, then other journos with subsequent years of experience will keep coming in). Interesting! You get to hear the journo-talking. "So, are you going to file (non-journos read 'write') it tonight?"..And, pat comes the answer-- "I don't know what to write. What's there to write in fact. They have just launched a new logo, which is already on air. I'll see!" Juices/refreshments keep coming up. The vegetarians would hesitantly ask--"Is it something in veg?" and the 5-star hotel boss will reply-- "sorry mam, this is non-veg, but let me get something for you." So journos will enjoy the ambiance but with a permanent disgust-- "how long would they take to start? I have just come to say 'hi, hello though, as our Mumbai team has already written on it (the Mumbai people would say the Delhi team has filed it!)'. Oh..lemme see that marketing guy's name ya! Or, I wouldn't be knowing when I'll go and talk to him. How funny!" Kudos to you journos. I feel how have you managed so far? But it's no great. Just be a bit coated everywhere, one doesn't have to show the world one's ignorance--the mantra of new-age reporters. If you have got your public relation right, they will do the needful, and you will just have to supervise a bit, which ain't take longer. And, you are done! (No offence at the journos--this is again just an observation)

Finally, it was 9pm, and the press-con had started. The COO was engrossed with the power point presentation to make every bit clear as to how his company is growing fast (After all, where would he use his Business school skills better that he must have learnt in his IIM days). Once he is done with the slides, statistics, TVC (television commercial) clips etc etc, he invites questions, and the CEO joins him. Then comes 3,4 questions (1 logical, 1 funny, 1 interesting and 1 unnecessary).

As every journo wants to write something exclusive how could they ask their questions in a press con? But the fact remains--the company guy will only disclose what he is supposed to no matter how cunning a journo gets (if he gets a chance at all to speak to the CEO or CFO as the corp com knows, as mentioned earlier, to which media the company wants to talk to).

So, no work is done , as the company guys are pre-occupied, and they would have to catch a flight in the morning the next day to report at their respective headquarters. And, the PR assures for a tele-con or an e-mail interaction (none can beat technology).

Then starts something which one can relate to an Indian marriage party. Fun, food, music and chit-chat. The journos now forget what they are going to write, or not write. Those pompous hugs, kisses, cuddles just do the rounds for the next 10 minutes--the who's who is there--so what could be a better time to socialise. Some general dialogues--- "Meet XXX, he/she is from YYY. You have my card no! Do keep in touch. And, listen you should meet that guy. You know her na! oh come on! she is with ZZZ. And so on."

They just go on, just imagine a function at your place where all your relatives come, and just chit-chat over nothing as well as everything.

The press-cons are about exchanging business cards, which is the new-age networking. And then you look for the person on social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter (if you really want to add one more friend to your list). And the company people at times tell you--"oh! your publication has a new business card. Nice! Lot of initiatives to market your paper. Good!"

And they party on--the company people and the who's who of journos...

And some wait for fellow journos to fit in a cab of the same locality (at times, the co-passengers indulge in exotic fruits at these 5-stars by letting others wait for them or trying for a change of job through some reference at the press-con). Loads happen, and they bid good byes to one another with that big, fat smile on their faces, which echoes the post-marriage party frames faintly!!

Well, the post is written. But this journo is thinking--when will I file the story? damn...I'm gonna have it man when the editor asks.

Back in the saddle. We all are angels in the training.