It’s been everything I can do not to comment on Scott McClellan’s book, “What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington’s Culture of Deception.”  Continue Reading »

Blog written by Sydney Ayers, APR

Over the weekend, PRSA Chairman and CEO Jeff Julin was interviewed in the Denver Post.  During the course of the interview, the reporter asked Jeff about a somewhat controversial seminar the Colorado Chapter held last year entitled “Taking the BS out of PR.”  Jeff’s answer was elegant and to the point.

“There is no question that many people think public relations is simply publicity and spin.  That is a challenge to individual professionals and the profession as a whole.  For me, public relations is an overarching communications discipline that focuses on helping organizations develop strong relationships with stakeholders.  When done well, public relations helps organizations grow, prosper, and contribute to the communities in which they operate.”

Heady stuff that.  Convincing clients and others that what we do on a daily basis in’t about weaving stories, distorting facts and, well, spinning issues is a difficult assignment.  It is something we have to be committed to doing — PRSA member or not — on a daily basis.  We must make it our mission to encourage truthful, open and respectful discourse in the public arena.  Only then can we hope to turn the tide and fully restore our image as the trustworthy communicators we know we are.

Check out the full interview with Jeff Julin at  http://www.denverpost.com/businessheadlines/ci_8899305

Everyday it seems as though a new celebrity, athlete, or musician has their publicist announce that they are entering rehabilitation.  While some are more well known than others, many question if justice is really being served.

Are rehab and a publicist the new excuse for serving time?  I agree that anyone, given the choice, would chose treatment over hard jail-time considering that programs offered can actually change the path that leads to destruction.  However, people are all too quick to run into a 28 day remedy to avoid the threat of actually serving time.

Many celebrities who own up to their mistakes are handed down lighter sentences of therapy, rather than incarceration, and gladly accept.  Winona Ryder, charged with grand theft and felony vandalism, had prescription pain killers on her at the time of arrest, the judge ordered her to undergo therapy and community service while also paying a fine.  While others, such as Lindsay Lohan and Nicole Richie are serving mere minutes in jail after running into rehab following the crimes they committed.   Is rehab a publicity stunt, or are people actually repenting for their crimes and getting the treatment needed?

Michael Vick claims he has to redeem himself and has found Jesus.  Just moments after he pleads guilty, he’s not running into psychotherapy, but his well spoken script states that he has already found God, just as quick. 

Do we all need a publicist to avoid consequences or is everything looked at on a case-by-case basis?  While I’d like to believe the latter — Marcus Dixon was sentenced to 10 years in prison for statutory rape of his girlfriend on a controversial sex crime, something that most people believe is cruel and unusual punishment.  But, he was never offered rehabilitation or therapy.   

Being in the public relations industry, I know that guidance in a crisis is crucial, but “for those in the public eye, rehabilitation isn’t a journey so much as a strategy.” — Courtney Lawrence

Heart-breaking tragedies are all too familiar this summer.  A bridge filled with everyday commuters collapses in Minneapolis.  The worst flood in one hundred years sweeps through Findlay, Ohio.  Six men trapped in a mine collapse in Huntington, Utah, hopes of their safe return dashed when three heroes die during a rescue mission.

The images take our breath away.  The agony on the faces of survivors generates a saddening empathy we can only pray we never feel.  What do you say when such an unforeseen crisis hits?

Usually, nothing, or very little at all as a true crisis is no place for spin, just sorrow.  Hoards of advisors often huddle in war rooms to figure out who will say what or nothing at all.  When public relations first found its way to major airline companies, the role of the PR guy was to spray black paint over the logo so it wouldn’t show up in crash site photos.  Today, the airlines are much more sophisticated, though often distant in their empathy.  Other companies remain lost and non-responsive.  Even though millions of lead contaminated tops and trucks fill toy boxes, an anonymous message on a 1-800 line says it all for some manufacturers. 

Perhaps that’s why the mainstream media cannot pull their focus away from Bob Murray, a fourth generation miner who also is chairman of Murray Energy Corporation, the nation’s 12^th-largest coal company.  Instead of showing the restraint that lawyers and advisors encourage, Bob Murray shows his passion and speaks his mind.  He’s just not a “cooperating with the investigation” kind of guy.

Six of his men are trapped.  Saying nothing for Bob Murray would be as out of character as doing nothing.  He’s been criticized by Congress and has argued with seismologists.  It’s been nearly three weeks and Bob Murray still has the courage to be the face of responsibility, the front-and-center spokesperson. 

When he said after the rescuers died that they could not try again, families took him to task.  They remember Bob’s promise not to give up until the six men are recovered.  Bob Murray recanted and is pursuing another approach. 

When will hope run empty?  Because this is a tragedy that is unfolding still, scholars have yet to determine if Bob Murray’s approach of speaking his unedited-mind during a crisis is wise.  No doubt, Bob Murray will be second-guessed for his candor during an awful crisis.

What I admire about Bob Murray is his tenacity and his anti-spin-approach to putting it all out there.  He might be wrong in his theory as to why the collapse occurred.  Time may show that he said more than was legally prudent.  But there is a lesson of accountability to be learned.  Rather than being a figurehead suit standing behind a podium emoting compassion, Bob Murray has coal in his lungs.  He speaks from his broken heart and puts action behind his words.   While engaged in the fight of his life, through example, he too is fighting against destructive spin.  — Shawn M. Kahle

It’s no great new phenomenon that people influence each other. Time and time again research proves that peer pressure is existent everywhere yet when a new study is released stating eating habits are influenced by friends there’s a media blitz.

The new study suggests that a friend’s behavior can influence your eating and fitness decisions. This study seems to make perfect sense though because when you are out with friends at a restaurant or spending time with them during the day you do similar things as each other.

The media has gone to a whole new level with this study, claiming that obesity is a disease that is contagious. How did the research findings go from the idea that your friends can influence your weight through behavior to obesity being a disease you catch from friends?

Spinning the results of a research study to catch the attention of readers undermines the work that the scientists did. This is yet another example of the out of control use of spin by the media. — Taylor Krugman

I’m just old enough to remember the concept of mailing a letter for less than a dime – maybe even a nickel.  And frankly, 41 cents for coast-to-coast delivery of a card that warms the heart of a loved one is an amazing deal.  Anyone who travels the world knows that like so many other privileges of the United States, day-to-day our nation enjoys comparatively affordable postal service.

Why then does everyone get so worked up when postage rates are hiked by two cents every year or so?  I’d argue it’s the spin.  And frankly, we’ve fallen for it.  Just this week the U.S. Postal Service proclaimed sales of the Forever stamp already surpassing the one billion mark. 

A quick review of USPS press releases issued with recent price hikes reminds us of the rhetoric that got us into this pattern of forever increasing postage rate hikes.

The headline of the USPS announcement of May 14, 2007 proclaimed: “Shaping a More Efficient Future.”  Readers quickly learned the postal service “introduced new domestic prices that reflect changes in our operations and the marketplace, offers more choices, and creates a more efficient mail system that keeps overall costs as low as possible.”  Seems like “The new rate is 41 cents, pay it and get over it.” would have made for a better lead sentence.

In 2005, a year when rates did not increase, the USPS announced, “Postage rates will not increase until 2006, promises Postmaster General John E. Potter, citing aggressive cost cutting efforts that allowed the U.S. Postal Service to save $8.3 billion over the last three years.  “The Postal Service will continue to focus on the strategies identified in our Transformation Plan, and we will continue to deliver the plan’s commitments ahead of schedule,” said Potter.

This pronouncement came when stamps were 37 cents.  Clearly, something did not get fully “transformed.”  But we should not be surprised considering that it is easy enough also to download the 2002 and 2003 versions of the “USPS Transformation Plan delivered to Congress.”

We just don’t believe the postal bureaucrats.  They should keep the gory adjectives of transformation to themselves.  Like every other massive organization that combines old and new infrastructure with vast competitive alternatives for sharing information, they are struggling.  But they are getting smarter – especially with the spin.

With the hike to 41 cents in May came the ultimate USPS spin — the Forever Stamp.  “Buy it now – use it forever.” 

In other words, postage rates will continue to increase – FOREVER — in spite of transformation plans, the Internet, and competitive alternatives.  

Yes, America, let freedom ring from the upper right hand corner of your greeting cards and gas bills as the Liberty Bell emblazoned stamps remind us that in the United States of America three things in life are certain – death, taxes, and postage increases. — Shawn Kahle

It seems to be the summer for illegal drugs.  You’d have to live under a rock to have not heard about the troubles of Lindsay Lohan, Barry Bonds and Michael Rassmussen.  All are at the center of investigations alleging illegal drug use and all are using spin to cover every excuse possible.

“The drugs were in my pocket, but they’re not mine.”

“Doctors ought to quit worrying about what ballplayers are taking. What players take doesn’t matter. It’s nobody else’s business.”

“I was in Mexico.”

All three of these people certainly didn’t sign up to be role models, and probably see things much like Charles Barkley, famous for his comment “I am not a role model, parents should be role models” and his fierce competitive drive.

The fact of the matter is, that all three enjoy the media spotlight. You can make the argument that they don’t, but they could have chosen a line of work that doesn’t involve competing on national television or staring in block-buster movies. Yet all somehow feel like they are being treated unfairly, and that it is ok to do whatever they want. Spinning what happens and not being truthful and transparent with the media only results in their desire to do their job, and complete the story. The harder it is for them, the more they dig, and the more they are around, putting your picture on the news.

If you refuse to use spin, deal with the media truthfully and transparently, they tend to back off once they know you are either a. telling the truth, or b. boring. 

In 2005, Lance Armstrong was under intense scrutiny for alleged doping violations. He used the truth and was eventually left alone.

John Travolta is a huge movie star, yet he isn’t all over the news because he spends time with his family and flies his planes instead of going out to the clubs and making bad decisions.

Not using spin makes you less interesting to the media. There are no lies to get caught up in and no drama to publicize. No one wants to read about that. —  Morgan Smith

I was so astounded by a blog post I read this morning that I don’t even know how to introduce it. Trust me, it’s not often that I’m at a loss for words. I’m always looking for news on spin in the media and then I ran across a blog post titled “Getting Comfortable With Spin”.

The blog is Nonprofit Communications and provides advice on nonprofit public relations, marketing, and communications. The post gives advice on how nonprofits can change the way they phrase the things they say to the media. According to the post, spin helps nonprofits “communicate more effectively”. I was struck by this post because the blogger writes as if spin is the best possible solution for communication difficultly.

I don’t agree with this post because I think there are better ways to solve communication problems. I think the most important thing is making sure senior people understand how to talk with the media, which can easily be attained through a media training. Companies, including nonprofits, need to understand that spinning the media can often come back to haunt them.

Spin has damaged the reputation of public relations and I think this blog post only affirms the stereotype of public relations professionals. Spinning the effects of spin only furthers the negative cycle. I just hope one day all this spin stops and people start speaking the truth and saying what they truly mean. – Taylor Krugman

Hats Off to Chertoff

Oh Michael Chertoff, you astound me.  Why would you put out a message to scare the American people?  And from all sources, you choose your “gut feeling?”  Really?  You are Homeland Security Secretary, and you tell us that we are going to be attacked within the summer months?!  Based on what evidence? 

In his ramblings to the Chicago Tribune editorial board, the only “evidence” Chertoff uses is the situations going on in other countries, “bombings in North Africa from Al Qaeda, conflict in Somalia with radical Islamist groups contending for control over Somalia, training activity taking place in South Asia, the Taliban continuing to try to regain control of parts of Afghanistan.”

Not to downplay the atrocities going on in the Middle East, but there are big differences between here and there.  For one thing, Al Qaeda and the Taliban are not prevalent in the U.S.  Terrorist cells have a tough time gaining followers.  The threat we have here cannot be compared to the threat in Afghanistan or the Middle East.  Therefore, Chertoff’s “evidence” has little support.

When it comes to politics, someone, especially so high up in a government department, does not blurt out a statement without having an agenda.  So I pose this question: Chertoff, was this just a stunt?  Were you trying to get cities around the nation to bulk up on law enforcement?  Did you want to scare citizens into needing more security?  To be honest, the only person I trust with a gut feeling like that is Jack Bauer.  And he’s fictional (and a dog).

I am pleased with the response to Chertoff’s statements.  In a release from the Associated Press, Pat Milton writes that Chertoff’s “increased terrorist risk” did not have an effect on law enforcement.  People saw through Chertoff’s B.S. and realized we already have year-round security and that his “gut feeling” is just a way to remind us that we still have to be on guard.

I guess when it comes down to it, statements to the media should not be made from gut feelings, especially if it is dealing with a situation that is still scary to think about.  Should Michael Chertoff have said something without having any facts?  Probably not.  But it is still a good thing to have it in the back of our minds.  What are your thoughts? — Andrew Smith

There are many blogs out there that all say the same thing.  Here at FADS we believe in bringing out the silliness and addressing what should have been addressed in the first place, so readers like you can see the other side and maybe have the opportunity to think twice before believing something. 

We did a little survey from PR professionals here in-house to get their definition of spin.

“Spin is creating a false sense of newsworthiness; it’s often negatively opportunistic and makes other PR pros shake their heads.”

“To me “spin” means disrespect for the listener, viewer, or reader.”

“In PR, we are often accused of spinning issues.  But a PR practitioner’s job is just the opposite of spin — we help our clients communicate their core values and initiatives more clearly.”

What are your thoughts on spin?

At FADS we don’t just repeat what we hear in the news.  We dig and get to the bottom of a spinning situation.  If something funny is up, we write about.  And if you hear about something funny going on, contact us and we’ll make certain a post is made.

We can change the world one blog post at a time.  — Molli Megasko