Neil McLeod, EVP, Corporate and Enterprise at The PHA Group, was recently interviewed by PA Media on what it truly takes for new PR firms to build credibility from day one and stand out in an increasingly competitive communications landscape.
With more than two decades of industry experience — and having been named a Top Recommended Reputation Manager in the Spear’s 500 Reputation Index for five consecutive years — Neil shared practical guidance for agencies looking to establish trust quickly and sustainably.
“PR is a fiercely contested and fiercely competitive industry”, says Neil. Reflecting on what it takes to thrive as a young PR firm, he said, “Reputation doesn’t come from a logo or a launch announcement — it’s earned through the people you hire, the clients who trust you early on, and the work you deliver every day. When clients say ‘they understood my business, they understood me, and they delivered,’ that is what builds long‑term credibility.”
Read the full article on PA Media’s website.
More from us
Through strategic communications, issues and crisis management, and thought leadership, The PHA Group guides clients through moments of pressure, strengthens their public positioning, and helps them navigate evolving reputational risks.
PHA has previously supported global reputation campaigns, such as Sir Cliff Richard in his fight for the truth against the BBC, and Julian Assange, who famously faced extradition to the US over the WikiLeaks scandal. Find out more about our past work in reputation management here, or learn more about the importance of crisis and reputation with the following:
- Mastering reputation repair: Essential crisis management strategies for businesses
- Building an online reputation: Is it really that important?
- Your crisis and reputation ‘insurance policy’
If you need rapid, strategic counsel, get in touch with our team of specialists at hello@thephagroup.com to find out how we can support and safeguard your brand.