Product-Launches-FailWhat role do public relations efforts play when new product launches fail? Can public relations be the sole cause?

How significant a role can the public relations strategy for a new product launch play in mitigating other launch-related issues?

And what can a public relations professional do to play a more active, strategic role to contribute toward new product launch success even if problems surface in other support areas?

These questions were part of a talk I developed for the PR Consultants Group annual conference in Kansas City. Chaired by good friend, Alex Greenwood, of AlexG PR, the session focused on how public relations professionals can hone their strategic, creative, and innovation-oriented skill sets to be more effective with product launches.

You Tell Me the Strategic Thinking Exercises to Cover!

Mike-Brown-Speaking

And in a typical presentation technique for me, the strategic thinking exercises for PR consultants we covered during the session were ALL chosen by the group as the presentation progressed.

Yes, that means when a presentation starts, I have no idea what specific topics we’ll cover!

I’ve been using this presentation technique more frequently since a “you decide what matters to you and we’ll go there” presentation strategy tracks with the Brainzooming brand promise of being highly flexible and interactive when developing successful market strategies.

The presentation draws on ideas about why product launches fail from a Harvard Business Review article titled, naturally enough, “Why Most Product Launches Fail.” I’ve reshaped the article’s list of forty reasons for why most product launches fail to a manageable list of twelve reasons with ties to public relations. Even though the audience is comprised of all public relations consultants, the presentation topics will be valuable to anyone involved in developing successful product launches.

In that spirit, here are links to numerous Brainzooming articles on how being more strategic, creative, and innovative can help address the reasons for why new product launches fail.

Developing a Strategic Business Perspective

Being More Strategic

Being More Creative

Being More Innovative

How PR Can Address Reasons Product Launches Fail

Unclear or Wrong Audience / Market

Little Market Research or Unclear Differentiation

Product Is Too New or Too Different

Bad or Weak Product Claims & Advertising

Product Priced too High

Crisis Issues: Product / Quality Supply / Regulatory

Not Enough $ for PR, Marketing, Launch and/or Sustaining Sales

Everything Depends on PR

Too Much or Little Social Media

The In-house Marketing Campaign Isn’t Objective

Spokesperson Issues

Sales Buy-in or Knowledge Lacking

Lack of Influencers Supporting Launch

Mike Brown

 

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