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In this episode of Small Business Origins, host John Kelley interviews Dick Grove, founder of Ink Inc. PR in Kansas City. Dick shares his origin story of getting into the PR industry, building his PR firm over 30 years focused on earned media, and his advice for entrepreneurs looking for good PR.
Key Discussion Points:
- How Dick got his first PR job through showing up in person in New York with integrity and persistence (00:06:07 - 00:07:48)
- Starting his own PR firm focused specifically on earning media coverage vs other services (00:11:10 - 00:12:56)
- Adapting over 30 years to changes in the media landscape (00:17:35 - 00:18:20)
- The importance of hiring smart people and knowing when you need to bring on more expertise as you grow (00:18:37 - 00:19:47)
- Who is the ideal customer for Ink Inc PR? (00:30:32 - 00:31:38)
- Getting in early to help clients craft a media-friendly message (00:49:23 - 00:51:30)
Guest Bio:
Dick Grove is founder and CEO of Ink Inc. PR, an earned media public relations firm based in Kansas City. He started in PR over 50 years ago and built Ink Inc. on a pay-for-performance model focused on guaranteed media coverage.
Company Bio:
Ink Inc. PR is a niche PR firm focused specifically on earned media results and coverage for clients. With senior PR experts around the U.S., Ink Inc. takes a media-centric approach to craft and pitch client stories to secure coverage and publicity.
Key Quotes:
"I still believe in face to face. I believe that a lot can be accomplished in meeting face to face, shaking hands, talking across a table, having lunch, whatever it is." (00:26:08) - Dick Grove
"The media world has changed dramatically over the last 30 years. Even more so over the last ten to five years, it's changed dramatically. You have to learn to make your services fit and your model fit that in some way or another." (00:17:53) - Dick Grove
Links Mentioned:
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CEO / Author
DICK GROVE is the CEO and founder of the long-running INK Inc. Public Relations.
Over his 50+ year career, Dick has managed the gamut of business and consumer communications from financial and investment relations, high-tech campaigns and products, crisis management, and the vagaries of the entertainment world. He’s served in the MarCom C-Suite with companies like Itel Corporation, GE Capital and IT&T as well as a V.P. with industry powerhouse Burson-Marsteller.
In 1997, the Kansas City-based Grove launched INK which is notable for being one of the first to utilize a remote PR team as well as implementing a very unique “Pay for Performance” client model – both of which continue today.
Grove recently released his first book titled, “It’s the Media, Stupid: PR without the BS.” In it, he sheds a light on the PR industry for publicists, entrepreneurs and the general public.
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