Archive for Uncategorized
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…
April 23, 2008 at 8:58 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
Clinton’s win in Pennsylvania yesterday means she lives to fight another day. Yet it also means that prior to the Democratic National Convention in Denver this August the party will have no clear winner. And whoever finally succeeds will take over a bifurcated party. Barrack’s people will stay away from the polls in November if Hillary wins - and Hillary’s power base may boycott Barrack.
This was to be the election the Democrats couldn’t lose. America is angry over the Iraq war, recession, the politics of divisiveness. Last month 81% of American said they didn’t like the direction the country was headed in. But the pre-selection process for a democratic candidate has become so rough and bruising November may turn into a “gimme” for the Republicans.
It’s odd to watch the USA election from afar. Australian media cover it daily - Hillary is the lead story in today’s “The Australian”. (In typical Hillary coverage there’s a black lining - her win is overshadowed by her dire financial position.) And in the background McCain is slowly, slowly building support.
We’re still six and a half months from the general election. Can the bruises heal in time?
PS: To all you digital artists - can someone take the “Surrender Dorothy” sky-writing clip from ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and change the name Dorothy to Hillary?
April 7, 2008 at 2:06 am · Filed under Uncategorized
Australia is embroiled in “Wavegate”.
At the weekend NATO conference in Europe Prime Minister Kevin Rudd waved across the room to US President George Bush. The style of the greeting (was that a wave or a salute?) and the recipient (of all the presidents in the room it had to be George Bush) have been causing no end of controversy.
Seems the quasi-salute was too much for many. Barking from the sidelines (and the dog house - who can survive approval ratings of 8%?) was Opposition leader Brendon Nelson. ”I think it’s conduct unbecoming of an Australian prime minister,” the Opposition Leader said (see more in The Australian).
This cooked-up controversy shows the parochial attitude of Australian media - especially when it comes to the USA. Rudd met Bush a week earlier. He walked into a crowded room and gave a familiar face a wave. That’s all.
It’s sad what fills media space!
March 9, 2008 at 6:13 am · Filed under Uncategorized
A client of mine talked about me in their executive committee meeting this week. I’m to present results of an internal communications audit to all staff - and highlight next steps. One of the executives paused and asked - “Don’t you think he’s too American?”
My client asked what they meant. Do you think he’s too loud? Too forward? “Well - yes,” came the reply. Thankfully my client remarked that staff had all responded favourably to my energetic style. The issues was resolved.
But it made me think. What other nationalities could you equally single out?
“Don’t ask her to present - she’s so Chinese!” I don’t think so!
Or how about - “Will people understand him? He is very Greek.” Sounds like a lawsuit, doesn’t it?
“Staff won’t respond favourably to him because he’s so Italian (or Lebanese or Vietnamese or Thai).”
I have to say you’re right to cringe at all these phrases.
Yet in Australia it’s okay to pick on the Americans. And the British. Equally, an Aussie in London gets complimented by being told, “You’re not very Australian.” Does that mean the hat with corks is missing and there are no Vegemite stains on their tie?
I know the comment was not meant to discriminate or exclude or whatever. But in a backwards way it still stings.
I took up citizenship in 1994 and choose to live in Australia. That’s a forever decision (or so it feels right now). But to many I’ll always be American. And while I retain my USA citizenship I live in Sydney, travel on my Aussie passport and feed my son Vegemite for breakfast.
So now I know what Laotians, Indonesians, Mongolians, Chileans and all others feel like when they’re in Australia.
At least as an American you get it to your face.
February 28, 2008 at 7:34 am · Filed under Uncategorized
If you haven’t heard all the buzz about this - then watch. If you’ve seen it then it’s worth a second go.
February 6, 2008 at 8:39 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
You have to laugh…
I’ve been keeping an august tome on-line trying to address issues like politics, public relations, government accountability and the likes. And every week about 5,000 people check in (believe it or not).
So imagine my surprise when I write about the Kylie Minogue special on Channel Seven the other night - and instantly readership doubles!
Am I to delve into current affairs or try and keep to the high road?
February 5, 2008 at 6:51 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
Channel surfing last night in a hotel I watched a segment of the Channel Seven special featuring Kylie Minogue. “The Kylie Show” was a star-studded celebrity special broadcast in prime time. And like every red-blooded Australian I was pleased to see our little Kylie up there belting it out. Sadly it didn’t hold my attention too long.
It did make me remember a memorable night years ago when living outside Detroit. We’d taken my mother into one of the inner-city casinos launched to help revive downtown Detroit (it didn’t). While my Mum and partner gambled I sat in the bar not drinking. But then up on the giant plasma behind the bar a Kylie video started. “Come Into My World” boggled my mind then and now. It’s an inventive way to use new video technology and music mixing.
Kylie walks out a store and does a large circle around an interesction. When she gets back to the shop front the first Kylie emerges again - and now we have two voices singing the song. The pair interact, nearly collide and when they get back to the shop…you guessed it!
Creative writing won’t do it justice. Take a moment to enjoy - after all, if you’re Australian you’re predisposed to wasting a little bit of time at work cruising nifty sites on-line. And if you’re American, just turn down the speakers before you click the YouTube link.
November 21, 2007 at 2:50 am · Filed under Learning to Blog, Social Media, Uncategorized
I’m thick, I admit. It takes me longer sometimes to come to terms with new concepts. Social media gift giving is on area I have yet to fully come to terms with. It is money for nothing. Or is it?
For the rest of the class: Social media sites (MySpace, Facebook) allow users to connect and inter-connect with friends (and strangers) in a number of ways. One application allows you to give a gift to a friend. There’s a gallery of images and - get this - you pay $1.00 to send it to another person. What does the receiver get? An image and your message.
When you care enough to send the very best…
Seems like a killer application to me. If I could get all my loyal readers to spend $1.00 to click through and send me a four leaf clover or a piece of sushi or a traffic cone or a baby chick then in time those would add up.
And hence the incredible promise of social media. People pay to send a picture to a friend. They are that attached to the network and its reality.
Send me a dollar. I’ll email you a picture - what do you want? The slice of pizza? The inflatable shark?
PS: Have any of the global brands realised not one of those gifts is branded???
October 27, 2007 at 8:52 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
We just got back from the first real holiday in 4.5 years. Two weeks in Thailand is just what the doctor ordered. That’s not such a cliche when you know my doctor did order a vacation! Seems stress was building and building and building until it became like a marble lodged under my shoulderblades.
Ten days on a Thai beach certainly flushed the toxins from my system. I’m finding it hard to wind back up again. Is that the sign of a great break?
Thankfully we did Bangkok first - nothing quite destroys the calm like a ride on a Tuk Tuk…
September 18, 2007 at 2:48 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
Our great conference photographer Yana Bridle found this left on the table by a budding AWPS artist…or were they simply distracted?
On this lighter note I’ll say farewell and report that the conference was successfully concluded at noon. Special thanks to Peter Debreceny for his work as Chairman of the conference.
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