5 Myths That Keep Brands Stuck

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PR and communications get more bad takes than pineapple on pizza. People love to boil it down to lazy clichés, quick fixes, or dusty old rules; then they act shocked when their campaigns flop, their reputation tanks, or their competitors run circles around them.

Time to kill the nonsense. Here are five of the worst myths that keep brands stuck on repeat - and why they need to be buried, fast.

Myth 1: PR is just “getting media coverage.”

Cute. But that’s like saying a Swiss Army knife is just a toothpick.

The truth:

  1. Reputation beats reach - trust can’t be bought.

  2. Real PR is strategy, not just spin.

  3. Media is only one channel; the playground is much bigger.

  4. Results are measurable, if you know how to look.

  5. Sometimes silence is the sharpest move of all.

If you still think PR is just clippings, congratulations - you’re running a 2025 business with a 1995 playbook.

“PR isn’t just coverage — it’s chess, not checkers.”

Myth 2: “Any publicity is good publicity.”

Please. That gem died the day social media was born.

The truth:

  1. Negative press sticks like gum on your shoe.

  2. Regulators and investors won’t laugh off a scandal.

  3. Customers can, and will, choose someone else.

  4. Top talent avoids toxic brands.

  5. Crisis clean-up always costs more than prevention.

If you’re banking on “all publicity is good publicity,” you’re not bold - you’re reckless. And the bill for fixing it will make you weep.

“Not all publicity is good publicity. Some of it’s just brand suicide.”

Myth 3: “PR can fix a bad product.”

Newsflash: You can’t polish a dud. And if you try, it’ll still stink.

The truth:

  1. Even the slickest message won’t hide a failing product forever.

  2. Word-of-mouth will outrun your spin every time.

  3. Journalists love exposing hype vs. reality.

  4. Consumers review everything; lies die in the comments.

  5. PR is an accelerant, not life support.

If your product sucks, fix it before you even call us. PR isn’t your fairy godmother; it won’t turn a pumpkin into a Tesla.

“PR is fuel, not life support. Don’t expect it to save a dud.”

Myth 4: “PR results can’t be measured.”

That excuse belongs in a museum, right next to floppy disks and dial-up tones.

The truth:

  1. Sentiment analysis shows perception shifts.

  2. Share of voice benchmarks you against competitors.

  3. PR correlates with sales, hiring, and investment wins.

  4. Engagement metrics show what’s landing (and what’s not).

  5. Crisis avoidance itself is measurable; what didn’t happen matters.

If your PR agency says “you can’t measure this,” what they really mean is “we don’t know how.” And that’s your cue to run.

“If your PR isn’t measurable, it isn’t PR. It’s smoke and mirrors.”

Myth 5: “Social media replaced PR.”

That’s like saying Spotify replaced music. Cute analogy, but that's not the case.

The truth:

  1. Social is one channel; PR is the orchestra.

  2. Social moves fast, but PR sustains reputation.

  3. Influencers amplify; but without PR strategy, it’s just noise.

  4. Crises often start on social; and only PR thinking contains them.

  5. Trust comes from multiple touchpoints, not one viral TikTok.

Social media is a megaphone. PR decides what’s worth shouting. Without the latter, you’re just yelling into the void.

“Social is the megaphone. PR is the architect.”

FAQ: Busting PR Myths

Q: Is PR really just media coverage?
A: No - media is one tool. Real PR builds trust, manages reputation, and ties directly to business goals.

Q: Isn’t any publicity good publicity?
A: Not anymore. Negative publicity can cost you customers, investors, and talent.

Q: Can PR fix a bad product?
A: Never. PR amplifies strengths - it won’t rescue a flawed product.

Q: How do you measure PR results?
A: With metrics like sentiment analysis, share of voice, and correlation with sales or hiring.

Q: Has social media replaced PR?
A: No. Social is a channel; PR is the strategy that gives it direction.

Final Word

The myths are comfy. They give leaders excuses to under-invest, to play small, or to shrug off communications until it’s too late. But the truth? PR done right is a growth engine - shaping trust, behaviour, policy, and markets.

So the next time someone drops one of these myths in your boardroom, don’t just roll your eyes. Send them this blog. Or better yet, send them to US.

Want to bust through the myths holding your brand back? Drop us a line at changenow@orchan.asia or call us at +603-7972 6377.









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