A Day In The Life Of A Publicist: Clayton Morar Media

ELEANOR DOUGLAS-MEYERS:

Gqeberha-born and raised publicist Clayton Morar,39, of Clayton Morar Media based in Cape Town has spent the last eleven years making a name for himself in Public Relations and takes us through what it means to be a real-life “fixer”.

Most people’s views on what PR agents and publicists do come from characters like Olivia Pope from Scandal, Samantha Jones from Sex and The City and Jerry Maguire but Morar says that there is way more to it than shouting on the phone,  scandals and glitzy events. 

A DAY IN THE LIFE:

No day is the same. Some mornings I start at 6 am and other days at 8 am. A normal working day is often between 10-14 hours, depending on how busy the work season can get. Often the Christmas, year-end and New Year period is the most active workflow in my yearly calendar, which commands a lot of strategy sessions,  meetings, and event management as well as massive networking sessions with media across the various projects I am involved with over that particular period.

Morar says that there are various misconceptions when it comes to his industry.

“Many people see my job as one constant party of events and living a life of entertainment, fun and social events only. People are fascinated with the razzle-dazzle that comes along as a perk of the job, but ultimately this career is for individuals who have self-esteem, intellect and passion for working on the ground (and 90% of the time working behind the scenes) instead of seeking validation for their work in front of the cameras,” he says.

“We provide various communication solutions including media relations, crisis communications, reputation management, and stakeholder engagement. This is also extended to social media, experiences, client strategy as well and influencer campaign management,” he said adding that a great deal of what Clayton Morar Media does ​entails creating effective strategies as well as maintaining solid relationships in the media space​.​ 

Morar’s first “big break” into the PR world was in 2012.

“My first career highlights would be working with Woolworths on a number of PR campaigns in 2013 and 2014. I was a consultant alongside the PR team that launched Candice Swanepoel’s first major fashion campaign in SA as well as the Bonang Matheba for Distraction lingerie roll-out,” he recalls.

“Having expanded our client roster to the USA, UK and Europe. I have enjoyed a few highlights, including handling PR for the international dance production Burn The Floor (in 2016 and 2019). Since 2021, I have also focused on working with clients in the NGO sector, and I have been doing some amazing work with Outside The Bowl as well as the Do More Foundation of late,” he said.

Morar started his career as a journalist but soon found himself switching gears. 

“I believe that PR found me. I was approached by various actors/actresses in the industry, who believed I could make the transition from Journalism to Public Relations. Once I officially left journalism in 2012, I registered my business with the intention of breaking into the world of PR and embarking on a new challenge that involved communications, the media and creating concepts and ideas that would allow me to grow into a businessman with a passion for people and communication,” he said.

Clayton Morar moved to Cape Town seventeen years ago as a rookie journalist but insists he is still a true NMB Boy at heart.

“I am proud of my roots in Nelson Mandela Bay. I was born, raised and educated in Nelson Mandela Bay. I attended Die Heuwel Primary in Hillside, matriculated from Alexander Road High School in 2001 and obtained my National Diploma in Journalism from Nelson Mandela University in 2005. The core essence of who I am as a human and businessman was formed in The Friendly City,” he said.

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One response to “A Day In The Life Of A Publicist: Clayton Morar Media”

  1. Michelle Brown Avatar

    I have followed Clayton’s PR journey, forever, and an so admiring of the work he does!! Thank you for remaining a true PE person!!!

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