Throughout my career, I’ve struggled with an identity crisis: Am I a copywriter, or a PR pro?  I’ve always loved writing – letters, short stories, even term papers in school. After college, I discovered a new love in advertising copy. I loved the creative process, working with others to pair just the right words with just the right visuals.

I wore a lot of hats in some of the smaller agencies, and soon I was using my skills for public relations, writing press releases, pitches, communications plans. This allowed me to get a much closer look at the client — a look “behind the scenes,” if you will. And somehow, that perspective enhanced my copywriting.

Because really, when it comes down to it, writing is about communicating your message. As is public relations. What are you trying to say? Who are you trying to say it to? Why should this person care?

At MMI, we work with our clients to get to the heart of those questions and then develop strategies to communicate the answers.  Writing and public relations are just pieces of the puzzle. You need to see the bigger picture to get down to the smallest amount of words that make up your message, your brand, your promise.

Today, the question remains: Am I a copywriter or a PR pro? I’m reluctant to define myself as one or the other. Luckily, at MMI, I don’t have to.