PR timelines: When to start planning

As we enter H2, thoughts turn to planning for the rest of the year, and into next year.

If possible, we always recommend formulating campaign ideas far in advance, while leaving space for changes to ensure the plan is agile in line with external trends. This is so we can provide you with maximum choice. Want to work with a specific celebrity or key opinion leader? We can start contracting far in advance to guarantee we meet your deadlines, and before the star’s diary is booked up. We can slot events in at the optimum time, leaving you with your first choice date, venue and suppliers.

We can align with wider marketing plans and support with advertising buying, ensuring we maximise your budget.

It’s worth considering these media timelines:

Print media require a minimum of three months’ notice to meet their deadlines. If you have a launch in March, you will therefore need to start planning in October or November for a December sell in to secure print coverage.

Meanwhile, digital media can publish an article the day they receive the information. However, that doesn’t mean we planning ahead of time isn’t required. Campaign elements like surveys, sampling, interviews, copywriting and image creation all need to be created and approved before a pitch can be compiled.

We can work to any deadline. If you have a last minute story you want to share, we can work effectively to amplify the news. However, the more time we are afforded, the more we can support you in ensuring our plans work in parallel with wider campaigns.

Want to know more about planning a PR campaign? Get in touch, we’d love to hear from you!