You know that feeling: a mix of exhaustion/relief/satisfaction after big event which you have been working on for some time was successfully executed. Like when you hit it too hard with the nightlife, it usually takes a day or two to recover.

Well, I am experiencing this malaise, yet no event occurred. I spent the last two months planning a press junket for my client. The writer/director of the film a major American comic was to be in Toronto today and tomorrow. The press were eager to meet him and all the major players had confirmed interviews.

Then two days out, the request came that the junket had to be shortened to one day, due the death of a close family friend of the comedian. Understandably, he wanted to be back home in time for the funeral.

After some scurrying, I managed to condense a two day junket into one, loosing just two interviews. I was thinking, “Phew! The Gods of Media Relations must be smiling on me!” I went home for the day tired but relieved things had gone somewhat smoothly.

I arrive at the office the next morning and there is an urgent voicemail from my client saying “Pease call me, ASAP” Sadly, the comedian’s father had passed away. My thoughts were with him and his family. It sucks, no one is prepared to loose a parent, at any age.

Personal tragedies aside….everything, the junket and associated events had to be cancelled. The whole day, I kept thinking, “how can I make this sad situation better for my client?”

My media contacts wonderfully understood the situation. I managed to salvage most of the opportunities, turning them into phone interviews to occur at a later date. The TV folks, I hope can be accommodated via satellite.

Ever had a situation like this? When forces beyond the control of the PR pro conspire against you and your best laid plans?

The holidays are upon us and the Thornley Fallis team have things under control. 76design made these funky holiday cards with detachable gift tags. Client and new biz contacts were wrangled from all employees and mailing labels were created. Chris and Joscelyn should be proud of the fact that the cards went out in early December, a much improved track record than years past. With the cards done, we were confronted by another holiday task… client gifts.

Who gets them? How much do you spend?

This year our accounting department outlined budgets for each client; we were then dispatched across the city to select items that we anticipated our clients would enjoy. It is hard enough to shop for members of your immediate family let alone friends and clients.

This time of year, offices are inundated with boxes of chocolates, gourmet food baskets, booze, bath products and other goodies. Personally, I am in favour of donating the money allocated to client gifts to charity. Maybe to a food bank or charity that has meaning to your organization. It is the thought that is supposed to count, right?