Beyond Publicity

Wake up White People

It was extremely spooky waking up to the haunting mug shot of Jared L.   in the NY Times.  I felt compelled to draw a clown face over his derranged gaze, to eat my cereal in peace and avoid my kids seeing this, though I do encourage them to read the newspaper as any self respecting PR dad.

There's so many things that went wrong here.

First, kids, when there's a psycho person in your classroom, REPORT THEM.  And try to get them help.  Are we so self-absorbed that insane ramblings go unnoticed?  Mom?  Dad?  He was living at home?  Hello?

Second, I'm not a big fan of guns.  But ironically, in a state where EVERYONE packs, including the Congreswoman, how come Jared wasn't taken down?

Third, anyone can get a gun if they want, but in Tucson, AZ you can be mentally ill and get one.   Not that anyone bothered to get this guy help.

Fourth, I understand why the vitriol spewed by right wing media is an easy target, but I'm not sure it made any difference here.   Wouldn't it be great if he blamed the rantings of Palin, Beck et al?  "The Devils Made Me do It!"

Looking for forward to my Tucson   vacation in February?

Marveling at Miners Media Saavy

Like the many millions around the world, I marveled at the engineering ingenuity behind the daring, and dangerous miner rescue from 2,000 ft. below.  We take this kind of heroics for granted all too often. Definately a publicity coup for the chileans and NASA. 

I recall talking to several people during the course of the rescue wondering why they weren't already out, like this is a simple Otis elevator.  Geez, the hole wasn't even straight.  Most amusing was the reports that prior to the rescue, some of the miners had been "media trained."  For those undeducated as to how people interviewed on TV get to be that way, media training is the process of developing and practicing the key message points that you and the sponsor would want to make sure doesn't get cut out of your 30 second soundbyte.  The New York Times  ran a piece that mentioned it briefly as did other media outlets.

So when they finally brought the last guy up, I was surprised not one of the rescued miners said that "They're Going to Disneyland"  But I think they all were wearing Raybans to protect their eyes from the sun.

 

Client of the Year, Woman of the Century

We all juggle an impossible amount of business and family tasks. 

And then, there's one of my most favorite and longest clients, SV, who is a whole level above all of us.

We have worked together since shortly after she delivered 3 boys and one girl back some 17 years ago.  Two collicky and all four breast fed.  All this while running a global corporate public relations for a Fortune 500 company.

From being up all with feedings to being up all night waiting for each kid to come home now, she's understandably exhausted.  And all the more impressive that in a few weeks, these 4 kids will be going off to college.  Perhaps with only one at home, she can finally get some rest.

She is my litmus test of stamina.  Whenever I think that I'm overworked, stretched to the bone and have no bandwidth, I think of her endless amounts of patience and unflappability.  All the more impressive given the circumstances.

I tip my hat to you SF and congratulate you on a job well done. 

Father's Day on I 95

I spent Father's Day stuck on I95. The only thing I spilled was a drink. Meanwhile, the head of BP spent the weekend on a his yacht, ostensibly getting his life back.

I'm fairly sure I had a better father's day. Definately with my wife and kids and family and slippers and martini.