Back
What Does a PR Agency Do? And The Results You Can Expect
Public Relations (PR) is sometimes described as ‘the dark arts’, which isn’t much help if you’re trying to find out what PR is and how it benefits companies which use it. Many businesses know public relations (PR) has something to do with media and reputation, but aren’t sure what results it can deliver. A good PR agency plays a crucial role in shaping how your business is perceived, helping you earn trust, credibility and long-term visibility with your target audience.
Understanding the role of a PR agency
PR is all about managing reputation through strategic communication. The Chartered Institute of Public Relations defines it as the discipline focused on earning trust and support while influencing behaviour and opinion.
In simple terms, PR is how you shape what people think, say and feel about your brand. It’s about ensuring that the right message reaches the right people, through the right channels, at the right time.
A PR agency’s job is to plan and deliver this communication. That includes media relations, content creation, influencer management, event planning and crisis communication. By blending traditional and digital PR, a PR firm ensures your brand is consistently represented in the best possible light across various channels—from trade journals and social media platforms to national news outlets.
What services does a PR agency offer?
Modern public relations agencies like Purplex work across a wide range of PR efforts. Common services include:
- Media relations – Building positive relationships with journalists, editors and members of the press to secure valuable media coverage. This could mean getting your story featured in trade magazines, online news outlets or TV segments.
- Crisis management – Helping you protect your public image when things go wrong. A PR team will have crisis communication plans ready, ensuring you can act quickly and maintain public trust.
- Content creation – Writing press releases, blog posts, white papers and case studies that support your PR strategy and increase visibility in search engines.
- Event planning – Organising press conferences, product launches or awards ceremonies to generate attention and strengthen your public image.
- Influencer marketing and social media – Managing partnerships with social media influencers and creating social media posts that increase engagement and reach.
- Reputation management – Monitoring public opinion and ensuring your business maintains a positive public image through consistent messaging and transparency.
In today’s digital landscape, PR professionals also work closely with digital marketing teams to boost website traffic, improve social media engagement and support SEO.
Real results: Shelforce’s award-winning PR success
A clear example of PR in action is the work Purplex carried out with Birmingham-based manufacturer Shelforce. When Shelforce won the King’s Award for Enterprise, Purplex delivered a full-scale PR campaign covering media relations, event coordination and digital PR.
The team organised TV and radio interviews, arranged features on BBC Midlands Today and ITV Central, and achieved coverage across major online and print media outlets.
The results were exceptional:
- More than 79 million people reached across the UK
- 26 pieces of media coverage secured
- 5.9 million TV audience
This campaign celebrated Shelforce’s success, strengthened its reputation, increased audience engagement and demonstrated the value of a strategic approach to communication.
What results can you expect from PR?
PR is a sustained effort. It builds authority, awareness and public trust over time. The most effective PR strategies create long-term value by:
- Raising brand awareness among your target audience
- Improving credibility through third-party endorsement
- Enhancing your social media presence and engagement
- Supporting SEO with backlinks and increased digital visibility
- Building positive relationships with customers and the press
- Managing crises to protect your public perception
Advertising tells people what to think. PR shows them through authentic stories and credible exposure in respected media outlets.
Why PR matters more than ever
In 2025, reputation is currency. Consumers and businesses research brands thoroughly before making decisions. Your public image, online reviews and media presence can strongly influence those choices.
By combining public relations, digital media and content marketing, a good PR agency helps you control your narrative and present your business in the best possible light.
PR supports every part of your marketing strategy, from influencer campaigns to website content, strengthening the trust that drives sales and lasting loyalty.
If you’re considering PR support, look for an agency that understands your market, aligns with your goals and can deliver measurable results. That agency is Purplex, and for more information contact us here.
