THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ENGAGING PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANTS FOR AFRICAN STARTUP FOUNDERS – INSIGHTS FROM ISRAEL OPAYEMI
To flourish and expand, businesses, particularly startups, require the expertise of a reputable Public Relations Advisory firm to strengthen brand development and achieve top-notch reputation management.
This insight comes from Israel Opayemi, a leading figure in Africa’s strategic communications, serving as the Managing Director/Chief Strategist of Chain Reactions Africa (CRA), a prominent public relations and integrated communications consulting firm. Opayemi recently released a thought leadership advisory titled “The Unseen Necessity: Why African Start-up Founders Should Engage Public Relations Consultants.”
Opayemi emphasizes that Public Relations serves as the vital link connecting a startup to its audience, shaping its narrative, and safeguarding its reputation amidst challenges.
He urges businesses, especially startups, not to perceive Public Relations as an ‘afterthought’ only necessary during product launches but rather as an integral part of the entire brand-building journey.
“In their eagerness for product development, launch, and market penetration, many African startup founders overlook the pivotal role of Public Relations in brand building. The misconception that Public Relations is exclusively for large corporations, and startups can rely solely on organic growth, often leads to missed opportunities for strategic brand positioning, compelling storytelling, and effective crisis management,” he explains.
Opayemi underscores the key roles of Public Relations in aiding startup growth, including trend analysis, consequence prediction, senior executive counsel, and the implementation of planned communication programs. He notes that startups often prioritize product development over building the crucial asset of trust, essential for long-term growth and customer retention.
Regarding storytelling, Opayemi advises startups to go beyond hiring individuals for occasional social media posts or press releases. He suggests leveraging a transmedia storytelling model to ensure a broad reach and optimal communication effectiveness.
Opayemi also highlights the unique role of Public Relations during crises in the unpredictable startup landscape. A professional Public Relations firm, he notes, can help startups conduct risk profiling, develop crisis management protocols, train internal issue owners, formulate response strategies, and prepare reputation recovery plans.
He laments that due to a limited understanding of the role of Public Relations consultants, many startups have collapsed by not managing crises professionally. Opayemi criticizes ineffective crisis management approaches such as semi-apologetic social media posts or half-hearted press releases and emphasizes the need for qualified public relations advisory firms.
From The News Source Techeconomy
