Had to laugh at the article on All Media Scotland talking about Derek Masterton’s move to being media relations officer for the Red Cross where Derek points out one of the major differences between PR and journalism:

A big challenge at the moment is remembering that I’m not in a newsroom any more and learning to voice pleasure/displeasure/surprise in a somewhat different manner – bang goes a large chunk of my vocabulary.

I never realised how different/”earthy” newsrooms were until I stepped out of them and into PR offices. Then, when you were on the phone to former colleagues and reverted from PR talk to the talk of the newsrooms everyone would be sitting around you agog at the multiple use of verbs, adjectives and pronouns in a colourful, rainbow fashion.

It’s even something I mentioned in the Redundant Journalist Guide to PR:

Swearing like a crude marine – newspapers are rough and tumble with strong language, but most modern office places, including PR, are not. Throwing about strong insults – media offices are full of banter and insults that would cut most to the core. And most are funny, but only in context. In most modern, ultra-PC offices, what you may consider banter could, for others, be deeply insulting and that can lead to poor morale, issues and lawsuits. None of which are good.

But, knowing Derek, I’m sure he’ll survive. And besides, the world of PR could do with some more colourful language at times. If nothing else, he’ll certainly brighten up the humanitarian press…