Showing posts with label persuasion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label persuasion. Show all posts
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.
Public Speaking as Free Publicity
We found a great blog post on Twitter from The Publicity Hound. Free publicity is a goldmine in today's business and political world. With our communities on a nonstop spinning axis of dialogue, communications and interaction, any and every possible opportunity for visibility for your business or organization should be immediately seized upon.
Public speaking opportunities not only put your business in the spotlight, but position you as an expert in your field. By bringing your ideas and your perspective to audiences, you in turn become a key influencer and your audience is more likely to be persuaded to your opinion. Positive experiences can lead to more speaking events, and thus your network of free publicity will continue to grow.
Speaking engagements don't need to be limited to solo gigs with you alone in front of a podium, staring out into a sea of faces. Volunteer for panels through local colleges or local political or non-profit organizations, participate in a speakers bureau; even offer to emcee the local talent show. Each and every opportunity will offer visibility and networking that help you ascend that ladder one more rung.
Read the post for great tips on using public speaking as a way to earn more money and free publicity.
Public speaking opportunities not only put your business in the spotlight, but position you as an expert in your field. By bringing your ideas and your perspective to audiences, you in turn become a key influencer and your audience is more likely to be persuaded to your opinion. Positive experiences can lead to more speaking events, and thus your network of free publicity will continue to grow.
Speaking engagements don't need to be limited to solo gigs with you alone in front of a podium, staring out into a sea of faces. Volunteer for panels through local colleges or local political or non-profit organizations, participate in a speakers bureau; even offer to emcee the local talent show. Each and every opportunity will offer visibility and networking that help you ascend that ladder one more rung.
Read the post for great tips on using public speaking as a way to earn more money and free publicity.
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.
The Maersk Deal... a Shift in the SC Governor's Race?
As you probably know, we like to harp on how substantial a role public relations plays when it comes to politics, campaigns and the political climate. Positive public relations and perceptions equate to gold, particularly in a state like South Carolina where the partisan divide remains profoundly distinct and scars from political scandal still bleed profusely.
As we begin digging tooth and nail into the heat of the 2010 election, South Carolina candidates no doubt long ago began seeking the constituent rapport, image-boosting press coverage and essential political endorsements that are so synonymous with crafting a solid public image. It's no secret that to get elected, you have to be liked... by a lot of people.
Senator Larry Grooms, a Republican candidate for Governor, has until recently been trailing behind in the Republican primary, particularly in regards to fundraising. Two of his opponents, Henry McMaster and Gresham Barrett, already hold notably prominent positions in the state Attorney General's Office and in U.S. Congress, respectively.
But Grooms might already see the tide shifting considerably in his favor thanks to his role in a recent deal with Denmark-based Maersk.
Back in 2008, Maersk, a shipping line located in Charleston, announced its intentions to pull its business from the state because of failing efforts to renegotiate a deal with port labor unions. Grooms got involved in the Maersk deal, hosting meetings not only in his offices but also in his home down in Charleston. Grooms co-authored a port restructuring bill, the passage of which played a pivotal role in convincing Maersk that remaining in Charleston would be financially sound. On October 22, 2009, Maersk announced it would not leave but rather enter into a revised contract with the State Ports Authority through 2014.
If Grooms can capitalize on this recent profile boost and his role in aiding South Carolina's economy, he can truly lionize his place in the Republican primary for Governor. He needs to have viral links to articles spotlighting his involvement making the internet rounds; he needs supporters writing letters to the editor on his behalf; he needs laud and congratulations circulating all over Twitter and other social media. Grooms truly needs to get the word out about his involvement in the deal, especially to his constituents. And while some people eat up South Carolina politics each and every day, the majority don't... and as a result probably don't even know about Grooms' involvement. PR opportunities offer a limited window of maximization opportunity, and now is his time.
SCHotline Blog's Michael S. Smith II wrote an in-depth piece on the subject that is a must read; view the article here.
The Power of Your Written Word: Writing Letters to the Editor
Letters to the editor have been around practically since the dawn of the newspaper itself, and over time have endured as a powerful way to leverage one's power of persuasion. Do you have an opinion on a particular matter? Want to weigh in on a heavily-talked about issue in your community? All it takes is putting pen to the paper - or in today's day and age, fingers to the keyboard - and at no cost you can literally put your opinion in front of the eyes of hundreds, if not thousands of people and influential leaders. As an added bonus, politicians and policymakers frequently look to the editorial pages of newspapers to gauge constituent opinions and perspectives.Newspapers veritably receive far more letters than they have room to publish in their editorial pages, so the crux of your message should be concise, focused, tasteful and timely. To keep your letter out of the thumbs-down pile, here are a few guidelines you can follow.
- Pick your issue and choose your media outlet. If it's a community issue, your local newspaper is best. You can usually find information how to submit a letter on the editorial page. Lists of global newspapers are also available at Ref Desk.
- Be timely! Sending your letter while the issue is hot is a must if you want any chance to get published.
- When you respond to a story, a column or another reader's letter to the editor, be polite even if you disagree with them. Letters to the editor are not the place to launch personal attacks or be rude. On the same note, if you are responding to a particular story, column or letter, make sure to note the headline and date of publication.
- Compose your letter in short, well-written sentences that get to the point quickly. Make your letter no longer than one or two paragraphs.
- Avoid banality; don't use any hackneyed or already overused phrases.
- Proofread your letter! Better yet, have someone else proofread it.
- Make sure to include your name, phone number and email. The media outlet will almost always want to verify that you wrote the letter before they will publish it.
Ultimately, if your letter does not get published, keep writing, especially when the issue has particular importance to you. Read other letters to the editor on a frequent basis as this can help you when crafting your own. And once you do get published? Congratulations on casting your net far and wide. With just a little time spent, your opinion can influence and be the accompaniment for many as they sip their coffee and read the morning news.
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