On March 13th, I attended an online event featuring esteemed guest speaker Kosta Petrov, founder of P World, a PR agency operating in over 40 countries worldwide. With 20 years of global PR experience, he’s also a renowned songwriter, earning recognition at the Eurovision Song Contest 2019.
“be authentic and do not pretend.”
Kosta Petrov
Years of experience under his belt, he provided insightful commentary during his speech, and he left us with some important lessons. In the modern digitalised world, authenticity is becoming an increasingly important component of successful PR campaigns.
In a world where false information spreads quickly, individuals are more drawn to authenticity than ever. As he noted, our target audience has a good sense of when someone is being dishonest, so by being real in our communications, we can build credibility and meaningful connections with them.
He highlighted that the value of honesty should be ingrained in all aspects of our professional lives.
Genuine Connection
He explained being real in the PR industry is about making real connections rather than just projecting a certain image or message. When you have a genuine network, people respect and believe in your genuineness, which leads to support.
As an illustration of how authenticity promotes meaningful support and success, Kosta’s genuine network in Dubai, for example, enthusiastically backed his ambitions because they appreciated his genuine attitude.
He also underlined that in some circumstances, in-person contacts are crucial and it creates enduring impressions that are not the same as LinkedIn profiles.
Kosta gave instances from his work when establishing sincere relationships had changed everything. His ability to be open and honest had helped him forge lasting bonds with anyone and set his agency apart from rivals.
Take Colleen Harris as an example, she used to be the spokesman for events like Kate and William’s wedding and King Charles III’s coronation. Her choice to speak exclusively at his events was motivated by true friendship, even though she had a distinguished position.
Their friendship, which began during a lunch in Dubai, was more than just business networking – it was like family. This demonstrates the advantage that real relationships have over strategic moves.
Essentially, being genuine in networking is interacting with others in a sincere manner, devoid of any hidden agendas.
“Not to create an image of yourself to satisfy others but to create an image to be acceptable by others.”
Kosta Petrov
It’s vital to recognise and own your accomplishments, no matter how small they may seem.
This quote reasonated deeply with me and emphasises how crucial confidence and self-assurance are to ourselves.
Even in the company of someone with greater experience or success, they’re able to tell when we feel less than them. Recognising our own value and potential is essential.
For instance, during his encounter with Demi Moore in 2009, he tried to validate his experience with a selfie, however, got rejected. He realised the importance of maintaining composure and self-assurance.
Always keep in mind that you are an individual who deserves the opportunities and accomplishments you have achieved. So, when you find yourself in esteemed company, know that you’ve rightfully earned your seat at the table.
“Define what your values are as a person, and stick to your values. When it comes to a point where you need to so something against your values, then don’t do it”
Kosta Petrov
Lastly, Kosta left us with this powerful message.
This advice highlights the importance of maintaining integrity and saying true to oneself, even in professional settings. By adopting this principle, individuals can maintain their beliefs and values.
Conclusion
I must express my gratitude for the valuable insights gained from Kosta’s remarkable resilience.
Despite our interaction lasting just an hour, the lessons learned from his unwavering perseverance have left a lasting impact.
Click below to learn more about P World.