A firm for which I once toiled had a policy that discouraged its professionals from commenting in the media on the public relations quagmires of others.I think it stemmed from an incident in which one of our Asian colleagues publicly skewered the PR strategy for a very high profile crisis. One problem: it was our…… Continue reading Debatable Instincts
Category: politics
Know Thy Enemy
When working with a bona fide newsmaker, PR counselors often have the luxury to choose which media outlets merit access to their client. The smart PR types are quite judicious about whom they court. The not-so-smart ones are under the illusion that more equals better — a strategy often best suited for B and C-listers.But…… Continue reading Know Thy Enemy
Dogged Blogger
I was scratching my head today on what to write. Could the see-saw world of Hillary Clinton stomach yet another opinion, especially after her post-Primary winning proclamation? “In the last week I have listened to you and in the process I found my own voice.” Or rather…her PR handlers finally let her find her voice…… Continue reading Dogged Blogger
Echo in the New Year
Geesh. Five days away from this blog. That’s the longest absence since first starting to post some two-and-a-half years ago. My truancy, I suppose, is less a function of vacation preoccupation — yes, I did get away with my family to ski for a week — and more tied to my reluctance to become just…… Continue reading Echo in the New Year
Control & Authenticity
At least she didn’t plant reporters in the audience. (Think Gannon and FEMA.) As I ponder the early salvos of the swift-boating of Hillary Clinton, I implore her PR handlers to take extra caution in the conduct of her campaign.Over the weekend, my right-of-center buddy Ike gleefully twittered this left-of-center blogger with the “news” of…… Continue reading Control & Authenticity
A Vote for Colbert
So what does Comedy Central’s #2 political satirist (by far) have to lose, except perhaps the election? Clearly an acquired taste, Stephen Colbert announced plans to boost the ratings of his cable TV show and, hopefully lose the last vestiges of his career-enabler, by running for the Office of U.S. President (in South Carolina).Pat Paulsen…… Continue reading A Vote for Colbert
Ta Ta, Suckers!
It’s no big surprise that Karl Rove is out. Frankly, his tenure as this administration’s master media manipulator should have expired long ago (or at least following the mid-term elections).From a PR perspective, this man alone has done more damage to the reputation and credibility of the PR profession than 50 Abramoffs. But that’s a…… Continue reading Ta Ta, Suckers!
Tight-Lipped
I really hadn’t read New York Magazine, well, since the days when my buddy, MSNBC.com’s newly retired Scooper Jeannette Walls , penned the once-venerable Intelligencer column.I know. I know. Former Timesman Adam Moss has worked miracles in resuscitating the moribund glossy weekly. Didn’t it just garner more than a fair share of magazine awards ?Anyway,…… Continue reading Tight-Lipped
Off the Political Menu
With a lot of huff and puff, the folks at the Huffington Post this week revealed the name of the Jay Rosen-inspired political journalism initiative that aims to give voice to a quasi-cohesive group of citizen reporters on the Presidential campaign trail (of which you can be part). From Arianna:”We’re calling it Off The Bus…… Continue reading Off the Political Menu
PR Pressure at the Pentagon
Politico’s Mike Allen reported yesterday that the Pentagon will hire ABC-TV News reporter Geoff Morrell, 38, in a public relations capacity. “The official said that a working journalist was chosen by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates in an effort to improve press relations at a time when the administration is under pressure to show progress…… Continue reading PR Pressure at the Pentagon