February 26, 2016

Surprisingly Good PR Tips from Frank Underwood

Laura Wilcox – Assistant Creative Director

He lies; he steals; he cheats—he’s also a goldmine of PR wisdom. Wait, what? You read correctly. He is none other than the notoriously praised, self-made saint Frank Underwood, chief of staff in the hit Netflix series House of Cards. Sure, he may have murdered a few innocents and possibly stepped on a sea of toes in his rise to glory. But behind that impenetrable facade, where his soul should be, there are now only quippy, quotable snippets of public relations wisdom.

So, here are a few (surprisingly) good PR tips from Mr. President himself.

1. Honesty is always the best policy.

The root of all bad PR is misinformation. People would rather be fed truth than ambiguity, even when the situation is tough to digest. When in doubt, be honest with yourself, your team and your public.

2. Keep your word.

When you make a promise to your client, your staff or even the media, they will expect you to deliver—no matter what. While there is a fine balance in managing expectations, a promise is a promise. In an industry based on words, you will be judged on your ability to keep it.

3. Be trustworthy.

Odds are you’ve heard it before, but PR is nothing without trust and loyalty. Relationships are everything in the communications industry, so be selective in whom you trust and how you determine loyalty.

4. Speak face-to-face.

Emails and phone conferences are convenient, but in-person meetings cannot be overvalued. By speaking face-to-face, you will garner more respect, forge lasting connections and ultimately produce better long-term results. Like our VP Josh Harlow once said, you can’t shake hands with an email.

5. Seriously, get some rest.

I think we can all relate to this one. Even when sleep is a necessary evil, take care of yourself. Get some shut-eye every once in a while.

Have a favorite Frank Underwood quote or memory? Tweet it to us at @jonesprinc before the season premiere on March 4 using the hashtag #fu2016. For more inspiration, check out Frank’s campaign page and become a supporter.

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