Why 'Do Startups Need PR?' Is the Wrong Question to Ask

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It’s an oft-repeated question in the PR and tech industries: how much do startups really need outside PR firms? Last July, an Uber GM hinted at feelings shared by some in the “overvalued rental company” industry by proclaiming such services to be “a waste of money.

As most who work in communications know, that’s a severe oversimplification. But even Sarah Rose Public Relations founder Sarah Rose Attman argued, in an August op-ed, that not all startups need PR services — especially not in their earliest stages.

We recently spoke to Mark Nardone, EVP at Boston-based PAN Communications, for another take on the topic.

What did you think of the Uber manager’s comment?

I think there’s significant value to PR working with early stage startups for one reason: content.

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