Savage Strategies has a wide range of longstanding relationships within the business, social and political community of San Francisco representing a variety of clients in politics, professional services, emerging markets and entertainment such as national comedy headliner Mark Pitta and former NFL star Jamie Williams. Savage Strategies offers a broad range of opportunity for the clients in the San Francisco Bay area.
“There aren’t many public relations firms that can operate in these three areas of business and provide such varied opportunities,” says founder Darcy Brown. “Here in San Francisco, politics, society and business are tightly intertwined so being able to move nimbly within these three spheres places our clients in a critically advantageous position.”
A Personal Approach to Public Relations
Darcy Brown, a veteran San Francisco public relations professional, founded her firm Savage Strategies in response to the need of her clients for a more personal approach to public relations. “Traditional public relations services performed at the distance of email just weren’t getting them where they wanted to go. My clients needed to develop relationships in the C-suite and form partnerships and drive revenue to their firms in an environment that was less random and more predictable,” says Brown.
What makes Savage Strategies unique is the personal service to Brown’s clients in addition to traditional public relations work. Brown identifies business development opportunities and attends events and important meetings with her clients. Brown is prepared with RSVP list in hand so she can guide and introduce her clients to relevant contacts and maximize their time to obtain the expected results.
But the personal service does not stop here. Savage Strategies also produces open houses, receptions and other public events for potential and current clients. Agency owner Brown takes a hands-on approach with her clients to ensure that her clients get the most exposure possible. She makes a point to be available at all times.
Lessons for Running a Successful PR Business
Suite101 asked Brown about her secrets to and lessons learned for running a successful PR business. Brown responds: “First and foremost: Tell the truth! There is a saying that the press is lazy but they aren’t stupid. Honesty earns you trust. Secondly, I provide the press with all the information to assist them make their job easier. It allows me to be the primary source of information and keeps me in control of the story.”
For Brown building relationships and a trust with her clients also ranks on top of her list. She makes a point to be able to respond to client requests within hours or less which earned her points with clients who appreciate the hands on approach of her service. “Public relations equals communication," asserts Brown.
“Communicating with my clients weekly is a priority. Weekly meetings are effective and save me and my clients’ time.” It allows Brown to be proactive in her PR service approach. “I don’t wait for my client to come to me,” explains Brown. “I reach out to them with suggestions and opportunities. By paying attention to media, events, and online blogs I am often able to provide a different spin on a story which could benefit my clients and guarantee ink.”
Challenges and Trends for PR Businesses
According to Savage Strategies, one challenge is “the resistance of the business community to utilize a public relations strategy and equate it with business development.” Brown understands the reluctance to spend public relations dollars, but says that “time and time again it has proven to be a winning strategy.”
“When competitive companies have withdrawn their presence in the press and your company is still out there, it affirms the stability of the firm and instills the confidence of the public.” Brown goes on to say that this is a reputation difficult to establish in a crowded market and advises clients that now is the best time to get message on the market.
Brown asserts that in the public relations industry, social media manipulation is the biggest trend. Companies are quick to hire social media professionals to touch as many people as possible in this new environment. “For clients who will hire and do business with a company over a long stretch of time, it comes down to the basics of relationships and quality of the work not trendy bells and whistles,” comments Brown. “In my opinion, everything still comes down to real relationships with real people.”
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