Lesley is MD of Playtime PR, which specialises in toys and games, and has over 20 years’ PR experience including time working in the entertainment and travel sectors.

When Lesley mentioned to Toy World publisher, John Baulch, that she felt PR agencies needed to quickly change attitudes and processes in order to better serve toy companies, he was interested to hear more. Specifically, with regards to media relations – which is just one of many comms strands that Playtime PR handles – Lesley went on to suggest that Covid-19 might forever change the way some PR companies work, as journalists indefinitely adopt their current work patterns.

In her article, Lesley highlights a tweet she saw poking fun at the way media advertising has so listlessly reacted to Covid-19. It noted that many companies have simply switched from saying, “Buy our product” to saying, “These are uncertain times. Buy our product.” In truth though, many have done well to change their messaging at all while Covid-19 continues to rob them of their usual resources.

Looking at how such changes would alter the media landscape, Lesley goes on to suggest what companies need their PR people to do.

To read Lesley’s full article, which was published in the June issue of Toy World and details how PRs and journalists can make the most of marketing efforts, click here.