What we learned after 1 year of Small Talk
A year ago, we started Small Talk on a gut feeling. (West) Flemish companies need PR. A different kind of PR. Not the kind that gets it over with in a dull press release, but one that finds its way through today’s marketing jungle. Was our gut right?
Here’s what we learned after 1 year of Small Talk:
We’re too modest
Is there something in the water? Do we really live by “keep quiet and carry on”? Fact is, plenty of West Flemish companies could use a good shot of PR. The stories are there for the taking, but they still too often stay under the radar. A small PR injection for our Hannibal clients has already delivered surprising results.
We’re not there yet with digital PR
Business owners nod when we bring it up: they get that digital PR is more than “a bit of SEO” or “something on socials.” But for many, it still feels like uncharted territory. The reflex to really commit to it is often still missing. And yet today it’s crucial. In 2025, AI decides even more who stays afloat and who sinks. So digital PR is much more: it’s building your brand in a landscape filtered by Google and models like ChatGPT.
Influencer marketing is no gimmick
For those who see influencers as the beginning of the end … bad news: they’re here to stay. The good news: playtime is over. Things are a lot more professional now. When you find the right match – an influencer who truly fits your brand – it just works. Period. But… it often still takes some convincing. Business owners see the value of an ad campaign faster than that of an influencer helping tell their story.
The one-two with Hannibal works
PR on its own is strong. PR backed by Hannibal is stronger. Why? Because in today’s media landscape, you don’t need a one-man show, but a team of specialists that brings all disciplines together: PR, content, campaigns, branding. The mix makes the difference.
So now what?
After one year, what we mostly feel is confirmation:
- PR is on the move
- Digital PR is becoming the norm
- Influencer marketing is a must
Today, PR isn’t just about media attention, it’s about findability and credibility: stories that hold up, experts who count, creators who amplify and signals that score with Google and AI. Many business owners are only at the start of that story.
Our ambition for the coming years? Showing even more companies how to use PR in a smart, digital way. Because there are plenty of stories out there that deserve to be seen and heard.