Take the Bait, Pay the PRice

On this day when America honors its war heroes, we’re awakened to news of an “Israeli attack” on six vessels carrying “humanitarian aid” to the terrorist-controlled Gaza Strip. Presumably the decision by Israel’s cognoscenti to militarily confront this Security Council member-sponsored flotilla, was not made lightly…or was it?The Israelis no doubt weighed the PR consequences…… Continue reading Take the Bait, Pay the PRice

Friday’s Video Views

This week’s edition of Video Views features some eye-opening social media adoption stats, Scoble’s 15 Israel start-ups, Calacanis on FB privacy, words of wisdom from the PSFK Conference, and “Coco” at the Googleplex.This first video asks (then answers): Is social media a fad? Or the biggest shift since the Industrial Revolution? The growth of social…… Continue reading Friday’s Video Views

Rebuilding (Reputations) in Gaza

The news emanating from Israel’s former and once-again terrorist-controlled territory may have fallen from the front pages of the world media (barring today’s Times piece), but a struggle to prevail in the court of public opinion remains very much alive.The latest chapter revolves around the distribution of humanitarian aid — and which group can exploit…… Continue reading Rebuilding (Reputations) in Gaza

Leaders Who Lie

A while ago I read an insider account of Yasser Arafat’s approach to wooing the court of public opinion. In essence, the report confirmed something I had long suspected: anything that emanated from the mouth of this dead terrorist was not to be trusted.In the piece, Arafat apparently admitted privately that he would say or…… Continue reading Leaders Who Lie

A Summer’s Read

Next time you’re in a room with a group of your agency colleagues, go around the table and ask each one to name the last career-related book they’ve read. Better, ask them to name the last three books they’ve read period.Now don’t be alarmed by what comes back (or doesn’t, as the case may be).…… Continue reading A Summer’s Read

Fight Fire with PR?

Have you ever been asked to defend your chosen profession’s contributions to society? It’s a no-brainer for physicians, environmentalists, scientists, firemen, technologists, etc.. But what about the lowly PR practitioner? What do we offer that elevates mankind? Without getting too philosophical here, I suppose our value lies in the work we do to more effectively…… Continue reading Fight Fire with PR?

A Blown Nomination

Dear Hillary,Yes, I see the daily e-mails from you, Terry, Bill, Chelsea and Geoff, but I’m afraid they’ve fallen short in pulling me back into your fold.Do you remember the PR advice I offered up in January and February? Be authentic, lay off Sen. Obama, and direct all your attention to this administration’s failed policies…… Continue reading A Blown Nomination

First Writes of Last Rites

Al Jazeera – Several dead in Jerusalem attack. At least eight people have been killed and 35 more wounded in a shootout at a Jewish school in west Jerusalem. Agencies quoted witnesses as saying that two armed men entered the yeshiva, or religious school, and opened fire on Thursday.Reuters – At least eight people were…… Continue reading First Writes of Last Rites