Archive for May, 2008
May 25, 2008 at 11:23 pm · Filed under America
Democracy is great except if you’re a Democrat. Will the US primary ever end? It’s disconcerting to think the fight for nomination may alienate the very voters that are required to get a Democrat into the White House. Times have never been better for the Democrats. (Or ‘glass half empty’ they’ve never been worse for Republicans.)
Yet the inability of Hillary to cede her position makes this long, drawn out affair seem very…well…long and drawn out.
Three days ago Hillary opened her mouth and shoved her foot in - sensible shoe and all. She reminded us that in 1992 it took until June for her husband to cinch the nomination. And in June 1968 RFK was assassinated during the primaries. Blogs, televisions and newspapers are aflame with the insensitivity of the remark and the way it was delivered in a flat, calculating manner.
In these troubled times there’s come solace I can offer from Australia. Last year we went to the polls and our incumbent conservative Prime Minister was likely to be unseated. Yet the hopes of long time liberals were carefully guarded as re-elections of conservatives had happened before. But the night of the election the results confirmed what I’d only previously wished - there was a national swing against conservativism and a new leader was elected.
After eight years of President George W. Bush the USA is likely to change parties in November. Hillary knows that and won’t give up her dream. Yet the American populace have given up on her.
Note to Hillary - the story has ended.
May 20, 2008 at 9:08 pm · Filed under China, Media Industry, Globalisation
National Public Radio in the USA had planned for some time to broadcast live from South Wet China. It just so happens that they were in place in Chengdu at the moment last week’s earthquake hit. There is a fascinating series of broadcasts available (see www.NPR.org).
Two disasters in two countries in two weeks. Yet the difference between Burma and China couldn’t be greater. Media access is bringing the China disaster closer to home. It’s galvanising public sympathy - and will influence donor contributions.
Yet the scale of the disaster in Burma dwarfs the toll for the China quake. And as long as the military leadership block access for media, we will never appreciate the scale of the disaster and the impact on local Burmese.
Compare and contrast - and while you naturally focus on China given its open access and daily fodder of news stories and photos, don’t forget the Burmese.
May 7, 2008 at 2:24 am · Filed under Social Media
If you’re over 18 click here. A funny on-line promotion from Canadian Club awaits…
May 7, 2008 at 1:21 am · Filed under America
Hallmark.com encourages you to build your own greeting cards using personal photos. It seemed a perfect way to send a card to my Mother in the USA. Thirty minutes later a very personalised card is built - and I’m registered to use the site as a “Non US Resident.”
But then the sting - they only accept US-based credit cards for payment. No PayPal, no bank transfer, no international cards.
So one moment I am loving the site and developing a perfect card. And now its locked up in their US-centric site with no reprieve possible.
Maybe that’s what should be expected from a Kansas City-based company. But Hallmark lift your game. If you’re going to do business on-line then wake up to the global community.
Until then save your time and effort. Hallmark.com is an awful experience!
May 6, 2008 at 12:58 am · Filed under America
Every once in awhile you read something that makes you laugh out loud. And usually it’s one of those embarrassing snorts because the humour catches you so unaware. Hence my embarrassment flying on Qantas guffawing to an essay in The Economist:
All countries are exceptional. But America likes to think of itself as exceptionally exceptional, different from other advanced industrial countries not just in its social arrangements but also in its underlying values. America has a smaller state than other comparable countries and a more unequal distribution of wealth. It is also more strongly committed to what Margaret Thatcher once called “Victorian values”—individualism, voluntarism, patriotism.
The rest of the article provides a ruthless, insightful commentary on the American psyche. But what is truly noteworthy is the conclusion, stating that the sense of “exceptionalism” is not at risk - but the American sense of triumphalism is under threat. Terrorism, recession, political in-fighting are all leaving the psyche damaged after “winning” the Cold War:
The main challenge facing the next president will not be to blunt American exceptionalism, but to make sure that American triumphalism is not replaced by a grumpy and irresponsible isolationism.
I agree with The Economist. If America picks up its toys and goes home, the world will be a lonelier and more dangerous place.
May 1, 2008 at 9:34 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
The Democrats in Pennsylvania - No Surrender
The latest issue of “The Economist” has a stunning photo and headline combination (see above). It says in a few words and with a dramatic photograph what the rest of the article confirms.
In public relations, we work with clients to develop strong, focused messages and train managers how to handle media interviews. All this can be undone - or reinforced - by the choice of headline (by the subeditor) and the photograph (photo editor).
If yours is a company in trouble there will no doubt be an unflattering photo. If you’re on the top of your game a dominant, strong image will be used. And if you’re a “take no prisoners” Democratic contender for the White House, chances are you’ll be portrayed like Tina Turner in concert.
And now for my encore…
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