Unfortunately, these are the agencies journalists are most familiar with, and those same journalists who rightfully bemoan shoddy PR encourage the problem to persist by refusing to deviate from their well worn paths. But the media mentality of only covering number one makes it difficult for a smaller agency or client to even reach journalists, let alone get covered. Agency mergers and acquisitions contribute to the problem. Agencies talk a good game for customer service, then fail to deliver. Senior players are seen only during the pitch.
Reporters perpetuate the problem by turning to the same tired sources again and again.
They should be paying for good, senior counsel and results. It's a very competitive business climate, one that unreasonably demands instant results now, even if at the expense of long term well being. Clients and the media both are bowing to the pressures of Wall Street and the need to make analysts and investors happy, even if that hurts long term profits. Everything is based on effect on stock price, not necessarily news or technological innovation and solutions. There's also pressure from publishers to cover and avoid offending potential advertisers.