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LA Event Publicityby Susan von Seggern

Cost and timelines

Event PR cost and timelines in Los Angeles

Event PR in Los Angeles has no single price: cost depends on how long outreach runs, how many announcements you make, whether you pay for a newswire and how much on-site work the event needs.

Susan von Seggern does not publish a fixed public relations package; every campaign is individualized and quoted through her contact form. This page lays out what raises or lowers cost, the market benchmarks that are published, typical timing, and which organizers should choose a different kind of firm instead.

Last updated November 2026 · Published by Susan von Seggern

How much does it cost to hire an event publicist in LA?

It depends on scope, so ask for a written quote. Susan von Seggern prices per campaign rather than publishing rates.

For context, ZipRecruiter reports that public relations event planning jobs in California pay a median of $19.84 per hour, with most workers earning $16.15 to $25.38. That is an in-house employee benchmark, not a consultant fee, and it does not include an existing media network.

One proven way to lower cost

Newswire distribution is optional. Releases are email-serviced directly to targeted journalists by default, and wire posting is added only if budgeted.

When a wire release makes sense, Susan von Seggern recommends Business Wire for its respectability. Her annual deal with Business Wire significantly saves clients money compared with buying one-off releases from Business Wire or other wires.

Published market benchmarks

median hourly wage, California PR event planning jobs (ZipRecruiter)
$19.84
U.S. median annual salary range (ZipRecruiter)
$50K to $75K
when most Public Haus clients see initial coverage or traction (Public Haus)
30 days
Volo Events’ stated reply window for inquiries (Volo Events)
48 hours

These are figures published by other businesses and job sites, not Susan von Seggern’s numbers.

What raises or lowers the cost of event PR

The same factors drive most quotes.

Length of outreach

More weeks of sustained outreach and lead monitoring means more work. Starting early spreads effort but extends the engagement.

Number of announcements

Each lineup reveal, partner or milestone release adds writing and servicing.

Newswire

Optional. Email servicing is the default; Business Wire is added only if budgeted, at Susan’s discounted annual rate.

Event scale

A media intro luncheon takes far less than a large-scale celebrity and media event.

On-site press work

Media check-in, interview coordination and multiple event days add hours.

Talent and partners

Coordinating celebrity, speaker or sponsor approvals adds time to every release.

Who should choose a different kind of firm

Being honest about fit saves everyone time.

You need the event built

If you need staging, environments, exhibits or activations designed and produced, hire an event production or experiential company.

You want paid and influencer programs

If you want influencer marketing, affiliate PR and digital growth under one contract, a larger integrated agency may fit better.

You run events weekly

If you produce events year-round, an in-house hire may be more economical, ideally supported by a consultant at launch.

Typical timing by phase

General guidance for event PR, not a guarantee. Your publicist will confirm what is realistic for your date.

Event PR timing guide, published by Susan von Seggern
PhaseWhat happensGeneral timing
Brief and planAngle, target list, milestones, budgetAs soon as date and venue are set
AnnouncementExclusive or pre-brief, then email servicingOnce headline names are confirmed
Sustained outreachPitching, podcasts, lead monitoringContinuous until the event
Event and recapMedia support on site, recap pitchingEvent day and the weeks after

For the full side-by-side guide, see how an event publicist compares with a PR agency.

Common questions

Short answers to the questions organizers ask most. The full list lives on the FAQ page.

How much does event PR cost in Los Angeles?

Susan von Seggern does not publish fixed prices, because each campaign is individualized. Cost depends on scope: how many weeks of outreach you need, how many announcements you make, whether you add a newswire release, and how much on-site media work the event requires. Request a quote through her contact form for a specific figure.

More in the event PR FAQ

Is there a public relations package for events?

There is no published off-the-shelf package. Campaigns are built around the client’s event and goals, combining any of the four pillars: sustained media outreach, press releasing, lead service monitoring and events. Ask for a proposal that lists which pillars are included and for how long.

More in the event PR FAQ

Do I need to pay for a newswire release?

Not always. Releases are email-serviced directly to targeted journalists, and wire posting is added only if budgeted. For wire releases Susan von Seggern recommends Business Wire because of its respectability, and her annual deal with Business Wire significantly saves clients money compared with one-off wire releases.

More in the event PR FAQ

What raises the cost of event publicity?

Cost usually rises with a longer outreach window, more announcements, a paid newswire, talent or celebrity coordination, multiple event dates and on-site press management. Small media intro events, such as a cocktail hour or luncheon, take less to run than large-scale celebrity and media events. Ask for scope in writing to see what drives your quote.

More in the event PR FAQ

Can a small event afford a publicist?

Often, if the scope fits the budget. A smaller campaign might focus on targeted outreach and email-serviced releases without a paid wire, or on hyper-local outlets that reach people who can actually attend. Share your budget range early so the plan is built to match it.

More in the event PR FAQ

Is hiring in-house cheaper than a PR consultant?

It depends on how often you run events. ZipRecruiter reports a $19.84 median hourly wage for public relations event planning jobs in California. A full-time hire adds salary and overhead year-round, while a consultant is engaged per campaign and arrives with an existing media and vendor network.

More in the event PR FAQ

How far in advance should I hire an event publicist?

Earlier is better, because long-lead outlets and many podcasts book weeks or months ahead. As a general rule, start as soon as the date, venue and headline names are confirmed. A publicist can tell you which outlets are still realistic for your specific timeline once they see your details.

More in the event PR FAQ

Planning an event in Los Angeles?

Tell Susan von Seggern the date, venue and what makes it news. Event and corporate inquiries go straight to her contact form.

Start an event PR inquiry