Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Lock In Your 2026 PR Strategy
Why Smart Businesses Plan Their Year Early
While many companies wait until January to think about marketing strategy, the most successful organisations are shifting into planning mode well before Christmas.
November and December offer something rare in the world of business and that’s clarity.
You’re far enough into the current year to know what’s worked but still early enough to shape what’s next. And when January arrives, you’ll be executing, not planning (hopefully with Altitude as your new PR partner).
For business leaders, this “early planner advantage” sets the tone for the entire year.
Why December Is a Sweet Spot for PR Strategy
From a PR perspective, December is one of the most strategic months of the year. Here’s why:
1. You Avoid the January Rush
January is one of the busiest PR months, with businesses scrambling to launch campaigns, pitch to journalists and reposition themselves. By setting time aside to plan in December, you’re ahead of competitors before the year even begins.
2. Decision-Makers Are Still Available
Although the Christmas slowdown is looming, early December still offers a window where internal teams, budget holders and partners are available meaning approvals and sign-offs happen faster.
3. You Tap Into the Budget-Setting Cycle
Most organisations finalise budgets in December. Getting your PR plan in place now ensures your strategy is funded, prioritised and aligned before the new year begins.
4. You Start January With Momentum
Instead of kicking off the year with blank documents and strategy meetings, you hit the ground running with campaigns, messaging and content already prepared.
How Altitude PR Helps You Make Early Planning Count
At Altitude PR, we turn November and December into your competitive advantage. Here’s how we do it.
1. Year-End Audit & Insight Analysis
We help you look at the past year with fresh eyes:
· What worked?
· Where were the gaps?
· Did you reach your target stakeholders?
· Did you PR align with your business objectives?
· How did the ROI stack up?
· Where can you go bigger in 2026?
2. Strategic PR Road-mapping
We translate your business priorities into a clear, achievable PR plan covering:
· Brand positioning
· Media opportunities
· Thought leadership themes
· Campaign timelines
· Required assets and resources
You enter 2026 with a roadmap designed to deliver results, not guesswork.
3. Content & Media Prep Before Christmas
From messaging and content calendars to ready-to-go pitches and hooks, we prepare everything needed to launch your Q1 activity seamlessly.
4. A December Explore session to Gather Information followed by a January Kick-Off With Maximum Impact
When your competitors are still organising planning workshops, you’ll already have…
✔ live pitches
✔ trend or news commentary appearing online and in print
✔ Q1 content for LinkedIn and social media
✔ Professionally written content for your website
✔ Media conversations underway
This is the power of planning early with Altitude.
November and December aren’t the months to wind down - they’re the months to set your business up for success.
If you wait until January, you’re already behind.
If you start now, you’re leading the conversation before the year even begins.
At Altitude PR, we work in partnership with clients to deliver insightful strategy, clear plans and PR which delivers measurable and impactful results.
Get in touch to discuss how we can help you make the most of November, December and the whole of 2026.