Except it doesn't. In nearly every case where a decision by Apple was reversed, it was internal communications with the affected party that led to the resolution. I would love a source that said that bad-mouthing Apple to the media resulted in the outcome they wanted.

Running to the press is a sure way to get Apple to stop ignoring you.

No it's not. There have been several cases where someone has run to the press and it's done nothing. I have yet to see someone cite an instance where a media connection suddenly made Apple be more communicative with an individual. In every case I've seen so far, Apple has already been in contact with the individual and the only thing the media attention does is give that person an outlet to post the emails they get from Apple along with their side of the "story" with a bunch of conjecture from a blogger thrown in.

If you think PR teams don't escalate issues internally, you're probably just not part of the people your PR department talks to.