5 Olympic Sports that Exemplify Agency Life

My Eisbrenner PR colleagues and I have been watching a lot of the Summer Olympics these last two weeks and even hosting our own. Everything from soccer (football, to the rest of the world) to badminton (yes, that’s an Olympic sport) and we can’t get enough of the games. I think it’s because in many Olympic sports, the traits that define an athlete’s success are the same as those that define a PR professional’s success in an agency setting. Here are five Olympic sports that embody life at a public relations agency.

1. Diving
At Eisbrenner PR, interns are expected to “dive in” on account work. It can be intimidating, and downright terrifying at times to plunge headfirst into the deep end hoping you don’t slip and do a 10-meter-high belly flop. The pace of agency life is sink or swim, but that first time when you know you’ve done a superb job on an assignment feels like a refreshing dip in the pool on a hot summer day. (Did I go overboard with the water metaphors?)

2. Gymnastics
Gymnasts have excellent balance. So do agency pros. In the PR world, you need the skills to balance multiple clients and priorities simultaneously – and do it all with grace and style. You need to be flexible and ready to transition at a moment’s notice. Here, we represent good companies, and our belief in our clients and their work drives us to do somersaults and bend over backward to help them achieve their goals.

3. Archery
Accuracy is perhaps the most important aspect of effective communication. Whether the audience is media, clients, the public or agency team members (especially team members), we are always looking for ways to deliver messages with greater precision. An off-target pitch is the difference between no coverage and Olympic glory.

4. Triathlon
The most challenging and thrilling part about working in an agency is the variety of work we do. Writing, research, media relations, writing, event planning, writing – there are so many opportunities to demonstrate and hone your skills. Did I mention writing is involved? Agency pros are experts at multi-tasking and possess the endurance of triathletes. 

5. Synchronized Swimming 
Some people may dispute whether synchronized swimming is a sport, but regardless of your opinions on the matter, synchronized swimming squads (say that ten times fast) and PR agencies thrive best when team members work in tandem. Being in sync with your account teams and clients are crucial to your success at a public relations agency. Teamwork is the backbone of Eisbrenner PR, and open communication is its life force.

Have you been watching the Olympic Games in London? What qualities best exemplify your workplace? Let us know in the comments.