Pitch imperfect: power relations and ceremonial values in the public relations pitching process

Figures & data

Table 1. Public relations textbooks containing discussion on pitching.

Textbook author(s)	Year of publication (of edition reviewed)	Title
Shirley Harrison	1995	Public Relations: An Introduction
Trevor Morris and Simon Goldsworthy	2012	PR Today
Bob Franklin, Mike Hogan, Quentin Langley, Nick Mosdell and Elliot Pill	2009	Key Concepts in Public Relations
Danny Moss and Barbara DeSanto	2011	Public Relations: A Managerial Perspective
Rich Leigh	2017	Myths of PR
Keith Butterick	2011	Introducing public Relations: Theory and practice
Amanda Barry	2002	PR Power
Glen Broom and Bey-Ling Sha	2012	Cutlip & Center’s Effective Public Relations

Table 2. Agency leaders interviewed.

Name (pseudonym)	Agency type	Agency location (all UK)	Agency size
John	Public sector/mixed	Midlands	>10
Emily	Transport/tech/environment/general	Midlands	10–15
Simon	Consumer	South	15–20

Table 3. Dominant interview themes vs. textbook moments.

Dominant interview themes	Textbook moments
1. The human cost of pitching	n/a
2. The lack of transparency in the pitching process	n/a
3. The lack of feedback after the pitch	n/a
n/a	The importance of chemistry
n/a	Excitement
n/a	Speed of response
n/a	Theft of ideas