Nike Drops Charity, Yet Their PR Image Lives Strong

May 29, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Nike Drops Charity, Yet Their PR Image Lives Strong

THE PR VERDICT: “B” (Good Show) for Nike, which very quietly severed a costly tie with Livestrong.

Yesterday, Nike announced they would cease production of products associated with the Livestrong brand. Livestrong, the charitable organization founded by cyclist Lance Armstrong, had a nine-year relationship with the world-famous sportswear brand that raised over $100 million through the sales of products. “We expected changes like this,” said a Livestrong spokesperson. As did the PR world.

After Armstrong admitted to doping his way through all seven of his Tour de France wins, his sponsors jumped ship faster than any of Armstrong’s cycling records, Nike included. But how would it look if they abandoned a charitable foundation? Livestrong was blameless, their only crime guilt by association.

Nike’s PR team knew that withdrawing money from a charity, even in the wake of a disgraceful scandal could backfire on them. The more sensible and low risk option? Pull the plug on the products and continue to fund the charity directly.

THE PR VERDICT: “B” (Good Show) for Nike for beginning to sever ties with a high-profile charity with minimum fuss.

THE PR TAKEAWAY: When ties must be cut, don’t hack; slice gently. The harsh fact is that Nike had to distance itself from Armstrong and all to do with him. However, this is a charity; how to distance without looking like villains? Stop production of products –  a practical measure anyone could agree with – while confirming to the media that the company will keep making donations to the charity. Without patting themselves on the back, Nike still comes out looking like a decent company, despite dealing what may well be a fatal blow to Livestrong. (Actually, their founder did that.) What happens to Livestrong remains to be seen, but Nike has already come out ahead.

Filed Under: Advertising and PR, Branding, Highest Graded, Marketing and PR, Media, Not for Profit /Charitable Giving Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Why Mayor’s Drug Denial Won’t Crack Interest

May 28, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Why Mayors Drug Denial Wont Crack Interest

THE PR VERDICT: “F” (Full Fiasco) for Toronto, Canada Mayor Rob Ford.

Exciting times! This past Friday, Rob Ford, the Mayor of Toronto, issued a statement to the media denying that he is a crack addict. “I do not use crack cocaine, nor am I an addict of crack cocaine,” he said in a surprisingly terse statement to the media. Only this, after a week full of allegations and speculation concerning a video that allegedly shows Ford smoking crack and dissing his political opponents. A busy time for the Mayor’s press office, to be sure.

The Toronto Star and Gawker.com both claimed to have seen the video and confirmed that the star of the show was none other than Mayor Ford. The video, which no one else has seen, was being hawked by drug dealers for $200,000. Gawker promptly started a fundraising drive amongst readers and raised close to $180,000 (a sure sign that the recession is over). Alas, the dealers have vanished. Drug dealers not good to their word? What is this world coming to…

Meanwhile, Friday’s denial from Ford, however robust, failed to put the story to rest. The weekend media was full of more lurid, detailed allegations. His Honor repeated on a radio show – his brother’s – that this alleged video doesn’t exist, unwittingly adding that the media are a “bunch of  maggots.” That comment wasn’t likely to dim the spotlight on this story.

THE PR VERDICT: “F” (Full Fiasco) for Mayor Rob Ford. This story is now officially out of control.

THE PR TAKEAWAY: Deny, yes – and then follow up with an action plan. Why the Mayor of Toronto took over a week to respond to wildly circulating rumors remains unclear, but by the time he said something, simply denying he uses crack was not enough. The missing ingredients: an additional statement about being genuinely bewildered as to how this story has come about. Expressing astonishment that reputable news organizations are willing to pay acknowledged drug dealers for an unverified video. And confirmation that he intended to refer the matter to the police. Without these important components to a successful deflection,  Toronto’s citizens will inevitably stay tuned.

Filed Under: Crisis Communictions, Featured News Stories, International News, Media, Politics Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Weiner Reveals More for a PR Comeback

April 15, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Weiner Reveals More for a PR ComebackWhat ever happened to Anthony Weiner? The New York congressman shot to fame when he mistakenly tweeted a photo of his namesake (no, not his kid) to thousands of followers, thinking it was going to one flirtatious admirer. He denied all at first, then resigned shortly thereafter. It was a sudden ending to a promising congressional career, made all the more complicated as his wife, Huma Abedin, was one of Hilary Clinton’s closest lieutenants and pregnant with their first child at the time.

Little has been heard from Weiner since his embarrassing resignation. Earlier this year, he and Abedin announced the birth of their son in a soft-focus feature in People magazine. Several months of silence followed. Now, the New York Times Magazine has given the former congressman and his wife a long and detailed cover story outlining his journey to redemption – and his possible mayoral ambitions for New York.

The article’s narrative? Anthony Weiner has been doing some reflecting. He and Huma have worked through their issues. Yes, he still feels paralyzed with guilt about the humiliation he brought onto their family. He lives with the embarrassment and pain. His wife has emerged as a tower of strength and understanding. Being out of the  spotlight has helped him revaluate his life. He now understands the true meaning of humility and the danger of hubris. Is that enough to pave his way to the New York mayoral race?

THE PR VERDICT: “A” (PR Perfect) for Anthony Weiner and his PR reinvention. Let the show begin.

THE PR TAKEAWAY: Break for an interval before the second act. The Times article asked all the right questions: Why did Anthony Weiner do it? What did he learn? How has it changed him? With his wife ever-present in the article, and joining him on the magazine cover, critics now have little PR mileage to make out of the infamous tweet. While Weiner will undoubtedly face more questions, the definitive answers have been given. The Weiner camp can plan its political march forward toward the campaign office.

To read the full article, click here.

Filed Under: Featured News Stories, Highest Graded, Media, Politics Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Nike’s Risky PR Move?

March 27, 2013 by 3 Comments
Nikes Risky PR Move?

THE PR VERDICT: “C” (Distinctly OK) for Nike.

Everyone loves a winner – especially Nike. The company has just launched a PR campaign via social media after Tiger Woods recently won the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The campaign includes a photo of Woods with his quote, “Winning takes care of everything.” Cheeky! Especially since it was Woods’ original retort when asked by the press about his extramarital affairs with prostitutes.

That rather public scandal, which came after the death of his beloved father and which resulted in divorce from his wife, led to Woods’ downfall. Previously a golfer who couldn’t be beaten, he had a fall from both grace and rankings. His sponsors, all but Nike, left him.

The world-famous sportswear brand has had a tough time with its athlete representatives. When Lance Armstrong admitted that he’d cheated to win all his Tours de France, Nike raced to drop him as it did with Olympic runner Oscar Pistorius who shot and killed his girlfriend. But in the case of Tiger Woods, Nike’s market research must have shown Woods was still resonating and worth spending the $20 million a year. The reaction so far? Media and online responses seems to be suggesting that Nike is more in love with its representative than the general public, particularly the female half.

THE PR VERDICT: “C” (Distinctly OK) for Nike. Is this latest controversy on-brand?

THE PR TAKEAWAY:  Consider language in its broadest context. Yes, everyone loves a winner, and while it’s well known that winning does, in fact, take care of everything, some female customers buying Nike products may not be on the same page. Perhaps, in consideration of Woods’ transgressions, it might have been better if Nike had simply congratulated Woods using the single word by their swoosh – VICTORY – and allowed the public to be happy about a sports legend’s return. Instead, Nike may have inadvertently sent a message to female customers who don’t see it Tiger’s way. The right wording, more than winning, really does take care of everything.

Filed Under: Advertising and PR, Branding, Celebrity, Media Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Petraeus Scandal Sisters Trashed in T&C

February 12, 2013 by 1 Comment
Petraeus Scandal Sisters Trashed in T&C

The PR Verdict: “D” (PR Problematic) for Jill Kelley and sister Natalie Khawam (pictured left, with lawyer Gloria Allred).

What happened to the David Petraeus scandal? The temperature surrounding twin sisters Jill Kelley, the famous “Tampa socialite,” and her now equally famous twin sister Natalie Khawam continues to head in the wrong direction. The latest issue of Town & Country Magazine must have both sisters fuming. In a feature called “A Four Star Scandal,” journalist Vicky Ward describes the sisters as nothing short of scandal plagued and “on the make” (which does make for amusing reading).

Jill Kelley is the woman invariably described in media shorthand as the “Tampa socialite” involved in the Petraeus scandal. She was known to give extravagant parties attended by the top military brass, including General David Petraeus, a four-star general and then head of the CIA. Arguably, his affair with his biographer Paula Broadwell only came to light due to e-mails from Broadwell telling Kelley to back off from Petraeus. (Still with us?) The e-mails precipitated the end of Petraeus’s distinguished career.

The gist of T&C’s profile of sisters Jill and Natalie? That they’re social climbers who drop names at every opportunity while running up massive debts and scheming to snare moneyed men. Both sisters have indicated to some media outlets that they are now considering their legal and PR options. (Natalie has already retained notorious lawyer Gloria Allred.) Unfortunately, the horse has already bolted from the stable door.

THE PR VERDICT: ”D” for Jill Kelley and Natalie Khawam. This is one social comeback that will be hard to manage.

THE PR TAKEAWAY: Find SOMETHING to say, even if it’s via a publicist. The article quotes any number of sources and former acquaintances willing to drive in the stiletto. With both sisters declining to be interviewed, a sober and measured statement from a third party publicist was in order. “No comment” might be a valid choice, but having no voice at all made the twins lose their PR battle from the outset. Next time, make sure there is another voice to counterbalance the slant. An e-mailed statement, for example, can change everything; the sisters, of all people, should have known that.

Filed Under: Media, Society/ trends Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

The People’s Prince

January 23, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The Peoples Prince

THE PR VERDICT: “A” (PR Perfect) to Prince Harry – excuse us, Captain Wales.

It’s a long way from Las Vegas to Afghanistan. That’s the distance Prince Harry has come from the mortifying nude photos that made headlines a few months ago to the somber, candid interviews he did this week as the prince’s tour of duty in Afghanistan came to a close.

Harry gave a series of interviews to world media, and in them, he seemed happiest when speaking about his time as “Captain Wales,” as he is known in his military unit. Rather than bragging about his ability to be a regular bloke, he was relishing it.

Of course he was asked about those revealing photos from Las Vegas, and Harry’s answer was PR perfection. ”I let myself down, I let my family down,” he said. “But it was probably a classic example of me being too much army, and not enough prince.” Nice one! For a royal scandal, there could be no better solution than an honorable stint in the military. It is after all, the great leveller.

THE PR VERDICT: “A” (PR Perfect) to Prince Harry , excuse us Captain Wales and the art of humility.

THE PR TAKEAWAY: Sincerity is the PR buzzword. Lance Armstrong’s maneuver of confessing about doping to Oprah Winfrey largely flopped because of his complete lack of heartfelt emotion. By contrast, Prince Harry comes off as human. The Vegas scandal? It’s what people his age do all the time. The military? He’s honored and wishes he could continue. The Crown hasn’t had an easy time of PR management of late but sincerity can save the day. The trouble with Harry? After this media blitz? None at all.

Filed Under: Celebrity, Featured News Stories, Foreign Policy/ Affairs, International News, Marketing and PR, Media, Politics/Government Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Lie Strong

January 16, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Lie Strong

The PR Verdict: “D” (PR Problematic) for Lance Armstrong.

The interview that Oprah Winfrey calls “the biggest” of her career – with Lance Armstrong – hasn’t even aired yet, but the reaction to Armstrong’s apparent admission to doping is already in. However, it may not be what he was hoping for.

Over seven Tour de France wins, Armstrong was repeatedly accused of using performance-enhancing drugs; he denied all. After the US Anti-Doping Agency amassed an incredible amount of evidence against him, much of it from Armstrong’s former teammates, Armstrong relinquished his medals and watched sponsorships and contributions to his LIVESTRONG cancer charity burn. But he never admitted anything.

With his career and foundation in freefall, there seemed to be two courses to take: lay low and wait for the storm to pass, or have a “come to Jesus” moment with the only person who can influence public forgiveness: Oprah Winfrey. That moment came this week on Oprah’s OWN network. (At last, a ratings boost!

However, even Oprah may not be able to save Armstrong. The New York Post‘s front page, above, summed up public reaction at being duped and their sympathies played upon. Morning show pundits brought up a damning point: Armstrong began doping before he contracted testicular cancer, the disease that served as the launching pad for LIVESTRONG. Oprah apparently did not ask Armstrong if he thought the drugs led to the cancer, but if that theory is even hinted at, LIVESTRONG won’t survive the month.

THE PR VERDICT: “D” (PR Problematic) for Lance Armstrong. He may come to regret coming clean.

THE PR TAKEAWAY: Better to admit to something or everything? Were Armstrong on his own, sure, tell all. But there is the foundation to consider, and should Armstrong not seem repentant enough, the public will turn on him and anything he touches. An admission also lays Armstrong open to lawsuits that will mean repayment of millions of dollars, as well as a suit by the US government for lying. The inevitable tell-all memoir offer may be waiting, but is there anything more the public will want to hear? Confession may be good for the soul, but in this case, it may harm everything Armstrong holds dear.

Filed Under: Advertising and PR, Branding, Celebrity, Featured News Stories, Marketing and PR, Media, Not for Profit /Charitable Giving, Society/ trends Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Our Favourite PR Turnarounds of 2012

December 20, 2012 by Leave a Comment

This year saw some celebrities, companies and even countries turn their own PR corner and we had a hard time choosing our favourite three for 2012. While they haven’t consistently made the headlines, each pick proves that image rehabilitation is always possible.

2013parishilton 150x150 Our Favourite PR Turnarounds of 2012Paris Hilton is ending the year visiting orphans in India and sick children in Los Angeles, routine trips for the 31-year-old celebutante these days. With her name once synonymous with “bad girl”, Ms. Hilton seems to have left the days of sex tapes and cocaine possession behind. She’s revamped her image by staying out of the limelight while showcasing her business acumen, building an eponymous global chain of retail stores and a fragrance line estimated to top $1 billion in sales. Her news clippings, about new shop openings and charitable acts, reflect the reinvention: privileged brat no more. Lindsey, take notice.

 

2013myanmar 150x150 Our Favourite PR Turnarounds of 2012Myanmar, long known for its oppressive regimes, overhauled its image on the world stage with its transition to democracy. 2012 saw ex-political prisoner and Nobel Prize winner Aung Sun Suu Kyi and her party elected to parliament, the lifting of censorship laws to create a nascent free press, and the central bank floating the kyat to allow for normalized investment. President Thein Sein’s reforms have resulted in relaxed U.S. trade sanctions and even prompted a visit from Barack Obama, the first sitting U.S. president to set foot in the former Burma. All this sends a great message to the world: democracy rules!

 

2013AIG 150x150 Our Favourite PR Turnarounds of 2012The U.S. government last week sold off its remaining stake in AIG, the insurer deemed “too big to fail” and the largest recipient of a much-maligned government bailout four years ago. The sale marks one of the most impressive turnarounds in U.S. business history and the resurrection of the AIG name. CEO Robert Benmosche was eloquent in his statement, thanking the country “for giving us the opportunity to keep our promise to make America whole on its investment … Thank you America. Let’s bring on tomorrow.” AIG’s name, like its stock, appears to be on the up and up.

Filed Under: Companies & Markets, Featured News Stories, Foreign Policy/ Affairs, Marketing and PR, Thought Leadership Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Life on Sesame Street

November 15, 2012 by 3 Comments
Life on Sesame Street

The PR Verdict: “B” (Good Show) for Sesame Street.

Sesame Street has been in the media spotlight in ways it never wanted to be. First, Mitt Romney during the presidential debates, threatened to cut funding to the Public Broadcasting System, which airs Sesame Street. Sesame Street reps answered with a quick smack down of Romney’s implied assertion that the government funds the educational children’s show.  Next PR task was to order the Democratic party to stop running a subsequent Romney attack ad featuring Big Bird.

While Big Bird was safe after President Obama’s re-election, Elmo, the furry red monster, was next in the media’s sights. This week, Kevin Clash, Sesame Street puppeteer and the voice of Elmo, was accused of having a sexual relationship with a man who was underage at the time. The firestorm of scandal lasted one day; the accuser quickly recanted his story when details didn’t add up.

Sesame Street maintained a terse tone when issuing the statement on Clash, saying that management had met with the accuser, conducted a thorough investigation, and found the allegation to be unsubstantiated. “Kevin exercised poor judgment and violated company policy regarding internet usage,” the statement reads, “and he was disciplined.” Clash has since taken a leave of absence. Who knew life on Sesame Street could be so fraught with PR dangers?

The PR Verdict: “B” (Good Show) for Sesame Street. By maintaining an impartial tone – even toward one of their own – their image stays professional, businesslike, and neutral to all who might help or harm.

The PR Takeaway: Authority comes with neutrality. Sesame Street could have used Romney’s Big Bird slam to their advantage, but they knew the political winds could turn against them just as easily. In the Elmo-Clash situation, had they shown full support for the furry monster’s alter-ego and other accusers turned up, the whole company might have been blighted. While the public, on the record statements so far might make Sesame Street seem a chilly place, the company’s neutral and  authoritative tone over the last weeks has secured its brand and singular purpose: providing the best in televised children’s education. Big Bird and friends can continue to sleep easy on the street.

Filed Under: Branding, Companies & Markets, Featured News Stories, Marketing and PR, Media, Politics Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

The BBC Adds Insult to Its Own Injury

November 14, 2012 by Leave a Comment
The BBC Adds Insult to Its Own Injury

The PR Verdict: “F” (Full Fiasco) for the BBC. (Pictured: Former BBC Director General George Entwistle.)

Much hand-wringing at the BBC these days. The venerable news organization continues to flounder following the broadcast of a news segment concerning allegations of child abuse. The most high-profile casualty so far is none other than the BBC’s Director General, George Entwistle, who resigned on Saturday.

For a while, it looked like Entwistle was going to make it. Following the crisis management rulebook, he was saying and doing the right things: taking responsibility, calling for answers, and promising reform. Ultimately, though, that didn’t save him. He was taken down by an astonishing interview given on BBC radio. The fifteen-minute segment is now widely credited as being Entwistle’s undoing, and interviewer John Humphry has been praised for it. His BBC colleagues might want to re-examine those kudos.

In the incendiary interview, Humphry dispenses altogether with the notion of allowing listeners to decide.  Basically telling his boss he should have known better, he does a lot of telling and not much asking. Entwistle does his best to stay on message and answer questions, but Humphry becomes belligerent, hopelessly drunk with the power of the chair he is sitting in. The interview sounds like an exercise in personal and organizational retribution. If the BBC is worried about its PR (and trust) with the public, this didn’t help. The BBC can claim scalps in its interviews, but in so doing makes it entirely clear how the current issues came about in the first place.

The PR Verdict: “F” (Full Fiasco) to the BBC, which demonstrated the thinking that  got its news department into hot water.

The PR Takeaway: Fair and balanced is the media motto. While Fox News is routinely derided for being aggressively opinionated, Humphry’s “news” interview would sit perfectly on a Fox talk show. If the PR problems of the BBC relate to the inadequate editorial checks and balances in its news department, then this interview serves its critics well. Instead of celebrating the “gotcha” moment, a stronger commitment to facts, not opinions; more asking, less telling – might be the change that starts the BBC’s PR turnaround.

To listen to the interview, click here.

Filed Under: Companies & Markets, Crisis Communictions, Lowest Graded, Marketing and PR, Media Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,
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