Publicist

A Publicist is someone whose job it is to represent and manage another person generating press attention publicity and handling their business and demand for work. The main responsibility of a publicist is to generate positive press coverage by maintaining good relationships with both their client and journalists. They must serve as the bridge between their client and the media writing press releases that are written much like a news story complete with a eye catching headline to attract attention and create interest. A publicist has to handle all interview or any appearances request that their client may receive then they must ensure that their client is protected asking what the interview will be about and what exactly they plan to ask allowing their client to plan and either accept or decline work.
Publicists often organize press tours for actors, celebrities and authors. The publicist makes all the travel arrangements for the client, sets up locations, arranges for press passes and even accompanies the client on the road. More than ever, publicists network with online bloggers and read and respond to comments on popular social networks. In addition to a standard press tour, they might arrange for a live, online Q&A session with a popular fansite or interviews with podcasts.

When training to become a publicist several skills are required both academic and personal. It is very important that a good publicist can handle the balance between a working relationship and a personal relationship they may or may not have with their client. They must also have the ability and qualifications to think like a journalist so they are able to distinguish the need for a story and how the story could be tailored and edited for the readers interest. Communication skills are a vital skill to have as they must communicate and maintain relationships, both written and phone communication is very important. The best publicists establish genuine relationships with the editors and reporters who cover their client. They know how to network without looking like they're networking. Patience and flexibility is also very important as often celebrities can be difficult to work with and the hours they work are not always consistent like a typical 9-5 job.  As a Publicist is working within the sector of public relation is is also important that they keep cal under pressure and in emergencies as like any part of the media industry many things can go wrong or often clients can be very demanding. They must also be able to make the most of a bad situation and use their accademic skills and relationships with the media to turn a bad story or mistake made by a client into a positive lesson to be learnt and demonstrated to the public ensuring their clients image is kept clean and positive.

Often a publicist starts at the bottom and gain experiance. Strong written and communications skills are essential. Although degress or certain qualifications and not essential  experiance in communcation any type of public relation or journalism study can be required although their is not one course you can study to become a publicist defress in english (journalism) or PR and the media is a starting point if you want to become a publicist.  Internships are a good place to start at Public relation firms literary agencies and talent agencies are good places to look for publicity internships. Interns are expected to do some of the least glamorous work like pick up rental cars and dry cleaning for the client. Many Publicists are assistancs to professionals before becoming a publicists themselves however moving up to an assistants position is a major step to becoming  a successfull publicist.
To move up from an assistant position, you need to start making contacts within the publicity industry and the media. Being an assistant is a great place to start, because you can piggyback on the network of contacts already in your boss's Rolodex. You need to show your boss and members of the media that you're reliable, a solid writer and that you have a nose for a good news story.

Depending on who a Publicist represents their annual salary can vary dramatically according to the scale they are working at. As a Publicist may be independant or work for a company again this will effect the final earning they will recieve.  They can earnt a percentage of how much their client recieves for a certain interview, appearance or any other publicity stunt. A deal with their client will be negotiated before the client chooses them to represent them personally.  Therefore a publicist can earn an annual salary ranging from £30,000 per year to £250,000 00 per year.

Max Clifford is considered the highest profile and best known publicist in the United Kingdom. Over the years his client range has varied and he is a controversial figure as he has represented unpopular celebrities and acted as an agent for those who are not always considered celebrties for example those who sell kiss and tell stories to the paper in order to create fame. Max originally began his career working as a journalist it was through his passion for writing he was introduced to this industry and soon discoverd his ability to reprsent people and make them famous. In 1970 he set up his own agaency called Max Clifford Associates. He has reprsented starts such as Muahmmed Ali and Marvin gaye both known world wide for different reasons. He is worth an esimated 10million pound.