Showing posts with label Obama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Obama. Show all posts
Indianapolis Public Relations Shop to Get Props from Obama During SOTU Address
Via PR Blogger:
When he gives his highly anticipated State of the Union address to an eager and circumspectly observant America tonight, President Obama will also give kudos to an Indianapolis-based public relations firm called TrendyMinds (a company that also just so happens to be a certified gay-owned business by the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce).
Each year TrendyMinds supports a wide variety of local and national groups financially and through pro-bono work. A sampling of their charitable recipients from 2009 includes organizations such as:
The organizations that TrendyMinds supports are predominantly local, which undoubtedly has proven to be a valuable and judicious route for the firm. On top of the beneficial work and funds they are generously giving to the local community, the firm's investment in these local organizations has presumably been well worth the investment when it comes to new and more business opportunities.
And a mention by the President of the United States in a nationally televised address? When it comes to public relations and growing your business, that's about as close to priceless as it comes.
When he gives his highly anticipated State of the Union address to an eager and circumspectly observant America tonight, President Obama will also give kudos to an Indianapolis-based public relations firm called TrendyMinds (a company that also just so happens to be a certified gay-owned business by the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce).
Each year TrendyMinds supports a wide variety of local and national groups financially and through pro-bono work. A sampling of their charitable recipients from 2009 includes organizations such as:
A Little Wiggle Room
Athenaeum Foundation, Inc.
Carmel Symphony Orchestra
FIDO (Friends of Indianapolis Dogs Outside)
Indy Hub
King Park Area Development Corporation
The Fatherless Foundation
The Polis Center at IUPUI
The organizations that TrendyMinds supports are predominantly local, which undoubtedly has proven to be a valuable and judicious route for the firm. On top of the beneficial work and funds they are generously giving to the local community, the firm's investment in these local organizations has presumably been well worth the investment when it comes to new and more business opportunities.
And a mention by the President of the United States in a nationally televised address? When it comes to public relations and growing your business, that's about as close to priceless as it comes.
Obama's Jacket: If only all our coats were worth this much
Hundreds of thousands (or more) of people pass by this billboard in Times Square in New York City every day, but we're betting far more than that will see this advertisement for the Weatherproof Garment Company simply via media, internet and viral rounds.The garment company put the billboard up on Wednesday showing President Obama wearing what has quicky been dubbed "The Obama Jacket". While it's a legitimate photo taken during Obama's visit to the Great Wall of China last November actually wearing the company's brand of jacket, Weatherproof never contacted The White House to ask permission to use the image.
The legal boundaries of what the company did remain muddled, but as a company that's been known for its outlandish publicity stunts, the billboard was undoubtedly meant to cause a stir. The author of the New York Times article remarks that it may not be worth President Obama's (and the White House's) time to even bother legally pursuing the Weatherproof Garment Company. Legal ramifications and possible tackiness aside, the billboard will drive huge traffic to the company's website and up their name recall factor considerably. The expense they spent on a Times Square billboard is probably nothing compared to what they will reap in consumer recall.
The legal boundaries of what the company did remain muddled, but as a company that's been known for its outlandish publicity stunts, the billboard was undoubtedly meant to cause a stir. The author of the New York Times article remarks that it may not be worth President Obama's (and the White House's) time to even bother legally pursuing the Weatherproof Garment Company. Legal ramifications and possible tackiness aside, the billboard will drive huge traffic to the company's website and up their name recall factor considerably. The expense they spent on a Times Square billboard is probably nothing compared to what they will reap in consumer recall.
Being politically inclined, one of our reactions quite honestly was to wonder how the billboard and ensuing publicity will affect the Weatherproof Garment Company's overall customer base. Say for example they currently have customers who, in regards to party loyalty, are 50% Democrat and 50% Republican, or some other division thereof when you account for Independents, Libertarians, etc. etc. After putting the floodlights on Obama as the model of choice, undoubtedly those numbers will change. This one billboard and the hoopla around it will ultimately skew their customer base when it comes to political affiliation, regardless of how it affects their overall sales. A trifling point perhaps, but worth mulling.
Smart Move: Obama Knew Early On He Didn't Need John Edwards' PR Help
On Sunday, Taegan Goddard's Political Wire ran a short blip from political strategist and Obama heavyweight David Plouffe's new book, The Audacity to Win. The book quote points to former Presidential hopeful John Edwards. After deciding his campaign was finally kaput, Edwards apparently tried to turn his loss into an endorsement bargaining chip laid on the table between remaining candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. An Edwards aide indicated that Edwards might be willing to jump ship to Team Obama ship to help defeat Mrs. Clinton. According to the Goddard post, Plouffe writes in the book that Obama's response to Edwards "was quick and firm: he would cut no deals."
An endorsement, including any bestowed by a former candidate who has bowed out of a race, can provide a powerful channel to help shape a public persona and political identity for a candidate, not to mention influence voting behavior. Many, if not most voters, rarely follow candidates closely enough to have more than just a passing familiarity with their political ideologies, and thus often turn to non-political cues such as endorsements to ultimately make voting decisions.
At the time when Edwards apparently courted the Obama campaign, news had not yet leaked of his now infamous dalliance and affair with Rielle Hunter that for any foreseeable amount of time has cost him his political future, dragged his reputation through the mud, and made him the laughingstock of late-night comics.
Looking back, we bet Obama is glad this is one deal he didn't make.
At the time when Edwards apparently courted the Obama campaign, news had not yet leaked of his now infamous dalliance and affair with Rielle Hunter that for any foreseeable amount of time has cost him his political future, dragged his reputation through the mud, and made him the laughingstock of late-night comics.
Looking back, we bet Obama is glad this is one deal he didn't make.
How the G-20 Summit has Boosted Pittsburgh's Public Relations Image
Pittsburgh has suddenly been in the spotlight this week as the city plays host to the G-20 Summit, a momentous gathering of 20 leaders of developed and emerging countries meeting to work on global coordination of economic policies.
The G-20 assemblage itself is notable for its own reasons, including goals to work on creating a more extensive international council for economic cooperation. For Pittsburgh, though, such a significant convention of world leaders in one location means invaluable exposure and a public relations opportunity that will extend well beyond the cliched 15 minutes of fame.
President Barack Obama chose Pittsburgh as the site for G-20 to prove a point that investment can bring about change and revival of industry. Once an industrial hub, Pittsburgh went into economic decline in the 1970s and 1980s as steel mills, businesses and shops shut down. As citizens lost their jobs, they flocked elsewhere looking for work, and Pittsburgh saw its population plummet by nearly a quarter. The 1990s ushered in a new era of economic development as the city began to funnel money into revitalizing healthcare, education and technology.
What the G-20 Summit will do for Pittsburgh's public image is invaluable. Read more about the history of Pittsburgh here.
Joe Wilson Amps Up the Tweets
Piggybacking on our most recent blog post about hiring professionals to handle your Web 2.0, we'd be remiss if we didn't take the opportunity to remark on Congressman Joe Wilson's recent decision to hire a professional Tweeter.That's right, Representative Wilson, following his now-infamous "You Lie!" heckler's shout during President Obama's healthcare speech last week, has suddenly been thrust into the national spotlight. Pre "You Lie!", Wilson was a somewhat under the radar Congressman; a lesser-known Republican who was for the most part seen as congenial and easy-going. But with those two words uttered amongst the sanctity of a televised Presidential address, he suddenly catapulted himself to a whole new level of notoriety.
The chosen Wilson pro Tweeter is David All, a new media strategist whose Web 2.0 firm caters to conservative clientele. All's role ala Joe Wilson is to maintain a constant stream of Twitter updates on behalf of Congressman Wilson as well as to promote him across the political and news blogosphere. Before All stepped in to tidy up Wilson's reputation, the Congressman's Twitter account hadn't been updated since early August. Wilson is now on a roll, spewing out upwards of ten or more tweets a day.
Our point comes down to the mere fact that as amusing as Wilson's professional Tweeter hire may be, it is part of a broader strategy for the Congressman. By hiring All, Wilson is attempting to deflect some of the controversy through professionally-managed social media outreach. Meanwhile, many grassroots supporters and even many fellow Republicans have come out to back Wilson and his anti-Obamacare platform. Wilson seems to be even now using the whole episode as part of a larger tidal wave to keep his name in the media, and on the Web, and to promote his upcoming Congressional race (and raise money at the same time!).
Joe Wilson has certainly made a name for himself in South Carolina and across the country, and with his constant social media presence seems to be launching a PR campaign of his own. Check out his most recent in a string of YouTube videos, "I Will Not be Muzzled".
Smear Tactics: Politicians' Reputations Get Dirty
Mud-slinging, smear campaigns, character attacks - no matter what you call them, these oft-used tactics have been a staple of American politics for years. Used in regards to a political campaign to malign or otherwise damage the credibility of an individual or a group of people, it is and almost always attempted quietly and/or anonymously, so as not to reveal the source of the smear. For example...
In the chaotic circus of South Carolina politics this week, embattled Governor Mark Sanford has been accused of launching his own smear campaign against his own Lieutenant Governor and fellow Republican Andre Bauer, allegedly spreading gossip that Bauer is homosexual. While Sanford and Bauer have never been on the friendliest of playing fields with one another to begin with, political gossip circles claim that the supposed ad hominem against Bauer is retaliation for Bauer's call for Sanford to step down from office. Regardless of whether or not Sanford's camp was responsible for the hatchet job, someone apparently launched and spread the rumor.
In similar news, it was just a few weeks ago that President Obama's science adviser Jon Holdren also allegedly became the victim of a defamation attempt by traditionally conservative media outlets. An article by Climate Progress claimed that Fox News and several other media groups were twisting Holdren's views on energy and climate to paint a picture of him as in favor of mandating population control.
Libel and slander charges and prosecution issues aside, smear campaigns are not reputable methods nor are they good business practices. But they are an unfortunate reality, especially in politics. The person being targeted almost always has to spend time refuting the character assassination attempts and less time on the real issues. Read more about (in)famous smear campaigns here.
PR: Insurance Companies' Secret Weapon in the Health Care Debate?
Strategic public relations, when used effectively in controversy, can be the dog whisperer that ultimately tames the beast. It can likewise be the match that ignites the giant blaze.
We bring this point about PR up because of a CNN Politics.com article recently written by ex-insurance company spokesman Wendell Potter. Potter's former role as a corporate public relations executive for one of the nation's largest health insurers put him in the constant role of helping to "promote and defend" that insurance company's reputation. We found his points about the impact of public relations for the insurance industry quite illuminating, especially in light of the recent turmoil over President Obama's health care plan. According to Potter, big insurance groups often put much of their budget into hiring public relations people to enhance company reputations, deliver a consistently positive message, and engage media to write positive industry and company coverage.
Potter even claims that some of the public relations teams hired by insurance companies funnel talking points to conservative politicians, business people and other high profile right-wing figures, as well as set up strategic PR stunts. All of these tactics are designed to positively promote the insurance industry while at the same time quashing support for government-run health care. When it comes to an issue as pervasive as the current health care dispute, these strategies can pack a significant punch when used well.
Regardless of where you stand on the Obama health care plan or what your thoughts are on the insurance industry, Potter's article is insightful and worth a read.
We bring this point about PR up because of a CNN Politics.com article recently written by ex-insurance company spokesman Wendell Potter. Potter's former role as a corporate public relations executive for one of the nation's largest health insurers put him in the constant role of helping to "promote and defend" that insurance company's reputation. We found his points about the impact of public relations for the insurance industry quite illuminating, especially in light of the recent turmoil over President Obama's health care plan. According to Potter, big insurance groups often put much of their budget into hiring public relations people to enhance company reputations, deliver a consistently positive message, and engage media to write positive industry and company coverage.
Potter even claims that some of the public relations teams hired by insurance companies funnel talking points to conservative politicians, business people and other high profile right-wing figures, as well as set up strategic PR stunts. All of these tactics are designed to positively promote the insurance industry while at the same time quashing support for government-run health care. When it comes to an issue as pervasive as the current health care dispute, these strategies can pack a significant punch when used well.
Regardless of where you stand on the Obama health care plan or what your thoughts are on the insurance industry, Potter's article is insightful and worth a read.
Posts
