A Flack. A Spin Doctor. A Prostitute. A Pimp.
A flack, a spin doctor, a press agent. Of course, all these terms are synonymous with the profession of public relations – that is, a publicist. A publicist is a person who shapes and molds the brand and image of a person, place or thing. A good publicist is also a salesperson and a master of persuasion. I recently told someone: “If a publicist can’t sell ice water to an Eskimo, then he or she is in the wrong profession!”
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I often proclaim myself as a “publicist du jour,” which in French, translates to mean publicist of the day. It just sounds better in French, doesn’t it? Well, I’m going to let you in on a little secret: The moniker is also a nod to a very famous and classic 1967 French movie, “Belle de Jour,” starring the award-winning French actress Catherine Deneuve. The film is about a housewife who spends her afternoons as a prostitute while her husband goes to work.
I have to admit, sometimes, I feel like I’m in the business of prostitution on my day job, hence the clever, little nickname. And I’ve told my clients on many occasions that I’m their publicity pimp, who will put them on a corner for the sake of any and all publicity. I love a good headline. What can I say? I can’t help it! Thank God, my line of work is legal! My mantra: All publicity is good publicity!
