10 Things I Don’t Like About Art-PR People—Part II

This continues the therapeutic venting that I began here. Once I get this off my chest, art-PR people are invited to pelt me with publishable Blogbacks, listing all the things that frustrate them in dealing with whining journalists like me, or responding directly to my gripes.
Without further ado, here are the Top Five things I don’t like about art-PR people, from least to most important:
5) Out of the Loop: Press officers should have in their heads or at their fingertips most of the answers to questions that journalists can be expected to ask. From my standpoint, the best art-PR people are the ones with the most comprehensive knowledge of the people and places for whom and for which they speak. Too many times, they have to get back to me with basics that they should already know. Museum officials should make sure they keep press spokespersons in the loop about important news and issues.
4) Reporter, Get Lost: Rarely, but more than once, press officers have steered me away from a person I was talking to—even at press events designed to give us access to information. This is rude to the journalist and condescending to the source, who is capable of deciding for himself whether he wishes to talk.
3) I’ll Get Back to You…after you call me five more times, maybe.
2) The NY Times Gets It First, Other Reporters Second: Here is a recent example of this. Some years ago, I was told of an instance where a Times reporter chewed out a museum communications staffer for letting me have something first. Didn’t the PR person know the protocol?
And now (drumroll), the Number One thing I don’t like about art-PR people:
1) Misinformation: If you don’t know the answer, just make one up—not good professional practice. Too many times, “facts” from press officers have not held up to closer scrutiny. I don’t just want an answer; I care enough about accuracy to want the right one.
Okay, deep breath…I feel much better now. But next time I go to a press event, maybe I’d better duck!