Valley PR Blog

Your PR role: which ‘Village People’ are you?

By Dan Wool on December 10th, 2007 In Hype!

So disco. So catchy. And so perfect to describe the roles within the average PR shop. Yes, you could be one of The Village People and you don’t even know it.

Which one? Keep reading:

Enlisted man — You work hard and follow orders and kinda look a little scared (see above picture). Parallels to: PR Intern. As The Village People say, “You can make real your dreams…but you got to know this one thing….put your pride on the shelf and just go there…I’m sure they can help you today.” So, fair intern, suck it up, listen, learn, ask lots of good questions — your time will come. And don’t worry, everyone’s looking out for you. In the meantime, can you make this press list — and throw your hands in the air on cue to spell “Y.M.C.A”?

Motorcycle rebel — You are who you are, damn the consequences. Parallels to: Account Coordinator. You have no problem paying your dues, if someone would just listen to your damn ideas (and complement your killer ‘stache). Sometimes that means figuratively driving into meetings on the loudest motorcycle (a la Marlon Brando in The Wild One) in order to get the attention you deserve. Some will want to run you out of town, but others, when they get to know you, find that you and your ideas aren’t so bad.

Construction worker – You build and make the plan real. Parallels to Account Executive. You’re framing the house but you’re also the on-site idea catalyst. Maybe you’re just hammering nails but if you don’t show up to work, everyone else’s job becomes that much harder. You’re the one the young pros want to ogle hotties with at lunch and the one the supervisors want to stay close to because you’ve got the scoop on all the tools.

Cowboy — You’ve got the respect to be sheriff, but spend most time herding cattle (cats?). Parallels to Sr. Account Executive. You plan the cattle drive and even yell “Yee-haw!” to get the herd out of the gate. You also mend fences, have some killer rope tricks and are unafraid of stepping onto Main Street with your spurs and six guns at high noon to set someone straight. Oddly enough, you’re also the one whose new jeans get noticed.

Traffic cop — You direct traffic and enforce the law. Parallels to: Account Supervisor. You have no problem being out on the beat once in awhile, but mostly you’re the desk sergeant. It’s you who takes the brunt of customer complaints, shows the rookies the ropes and edit the reports. You keep productivity on track and tell the chief when to alert the task forces. You also know exactly how to freak the s**t out of those who screwed-up (and sometimes, when to let them off the hook).

Indian chief – You’re wise and thoughtful but a warrior so showy with your headdress that even if everyone else is doing the exact same thing, people look at you. Parallels to: Agency owner. You trust your tribe to get the work done and you’re the shaman they look to for direction (even if they think you’ve been hittin’ the peace pipe). Unappreciated until something bad happens, you’re also out there leading the hunt or doing the rain dance. And you’re the one up at night worrying about everyone and praying to the harvest gods so you can make payroll. Hail to the chief.  Hey! Hey! Hey hey hey hey!

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