White House Communications Team Encounters Turbulence

Did @PressSec’s Staff Seek Journalists’ Questions in Advance? White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images) I suppose it’s all relative. Compared to the horrific daily White House press briefings of the last four years — when there were any — the transparent and truthful approach of President Biden’s new Press Secretary…… Continue reading White House Communications Team Encounters Turbulence

Can the Dems Find Their Soul and Take Back the Senate?

Jon Ossof and Rev. Raphael Warnock The short answer is probably not. That is until the Democratic leadership recognizes a significant shortcoming in how their brand is perceived and the urgent need to mount a communications plan to fix it. Sure, “one America” resonated loudly with an electorate that was tired of four years of…… Continue reading Can the Dems Find Their Soul and Take Back the Senate?

November Surprise

More than a few media watchers have audaciously proclaimed that this week’s viral performance by the “President” spells doom for his prospects of re-election come November. I disagree. If there’s one thing we’ve learned in the age of Trump, scandals big and small simply dissipate in a matter of days, if not hours. Some never…… Continue reading November Surprise

Facebook’s Short-Term PR Has Longer-Term Consequences

  In her eye-opening piece this week, The Guardian’s SF reporter Olivia Solon opens the curtain on the draconian efforts by Google, Facebook and presumably others to muzzle their employees from speaking publicly about their company’s doings. Aptly titled “‘They’ll squash you like a bug’: how Silicon Valley keeps a lid on leakers,” Ms. Solon…… Continue reading Facebook’s Short-Term PR Has Longer-Term Consequences

Rachel Maddow, Journalist First

A common refrain from the media cognoscenti goes something like this: Try listening, reading or watching those whose views run counter to your own. It may open your eyes to how others see the world. I hear this constantly from friends, family, and way too many social science pundits.  To them I say: bullshit. I will…… Continue reading Rachel Maddow, Journalist First

Fake News and Its Threat to Democracy

My first social media post of the day happened on Facebook and involved Twitter. It cited USA Today’s story on Twitter’s audacious decision to ban from its platform hundreds of offensive “alt right” accounts. My morning gripe had less to do with Twitter’s sudden cleanse of hate-spreaders on its platform and more about the absence…… Continue reading Fake News and Its Threat to Democracy

Keep Politics Out Of Your Business

As an agency owner and keen observer of the circus that doubles as the American political process this election year, I’m finding it difficult to hold my tongue. I was reminded of this recently when tech influencer and newly minted VR executive Robert Scoble laid down the rules for continued inclusion in his Facebook-capped group…… Continue reading Keep Politics Out Of Your Business