PR can make or break celebrities in times of crisis or scandal. Here are two examples of members of the Sports World who provide us with what and what not to do in such situations.
The Good
Lindsey Vonn suffered a shin injury going into the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and was unsure of how it would affect her success in the games. However, instead of keeping the injury quiet and potentially having to vouch for a less-than stellar performance, Vonn held a press conference and put the injury out in the open so fans would know what to expect. By putting her setback out in the media, she was able to control her press coverage in the games and keep a positive, sympathetic light around it. Apparently the PR Gods looked favorably upon the skier's actions and she still managed to win a gold in the Downhill.
http://sports.espn.go.com/olympics/winter/2010/alpineskiing/news/story?id=4902100
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0sZa82evbs
The Bad AND the Ugly
The Tiger Woods infidelity scandal of 2009 was not only an ugly scandal, but it was also a great example of ugly PR. Reports surfaced that Woods was having an affair and he wrecked his Escalade in what was soon reported as his flight from an angry Elin Woods. Instead of immediately addressing the press and offering an apology, the golfer refused to comment therefore giving the media complete control of the story. As a result, Tiger would lose endorsements, sponsorships, and his golf game would be in shambles. Woods is currently back on the greens, however his performances have not matched those prior to the scandal. My guess is he can't figure out how to recover from a broken heart.
http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1966486,00.html
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Pinterest.com - The Root of all Productive Unproductivity
I have recently acquired a new online addiction - pinterest.com. It is my favvvvooorrriiitteeeee!!!
Pinterest is like a social networking site but instead of showing you other people's profiles, you get to see their "style" so to speak. It consists of all these "pins" which are things that people have found that they like or have done or want to try and then they "pin" them to a "board" on Pinterest. There are tons of different categories from Food, Jokes, Fitness, Fashion, and even Wedding/Party Planning ideas. You can scroll through other people's pins and when you find something you like you can "re-pin" it to one of your boards. For example, I have a food board, a fitness board, a fashion board, and a board where I put things that I like. Say you find a recipe that you can't wait to try? Re-pin it onto one of your boards and months from now when you have time & remember it, you can go to pinterest, find it on your board, and click on the picture and it will take you to the site where it was originally found. Its AWESOME!
I use this site mostly for procrastination but there are some really cool things on there. I love to cook so I am constantly re-pinning food. I also love the Fitness pinner because it has tons of great workouts, nutrition facts, recipes, and motivational stuff. Pinterest makes me unproductive, however I feel like I am being productive because I actually use a lot of the stuff that I pin. It's Awesome!
The best part: you have to be invited to register, therefore it isn't full of the clutter of other social networking sites and it only shows you the things that you are interested in. If you want an invite: hit me up!
www.pinterest.com
Pinterest is like a social networking site but instead of showing you other people's profiles, you get to see their "style" so to speak. It consists of all these "pins" which are things that people have found that they like or have done or want to try and then they "pin" them to a "board" on Pinterest. There are tons of different categories from Food, Jokes, Fitness, Fashion, and even Wedding/Party Planning ideas. You can scroll through other people's pins and when you find something you like you can "re-pin" it to one of your boards. For example, I have a food board, a fitness board, a fashion board, and a board where I put things that I like. Say you find a recipe that you can't wait to try? Re-pin it onto one of your boards and months from now when you have time & remember it, you can go to pinterest, find it on your board, and click on the picture and it will take you to the site where it was originally found. Its AWESOME!
I use this site mostly for procrastination but there are some really cool things on there. I love to cook so I am constantly re-pinning food. I also love the Fitness pinner because it has tons of great workouts, nutrition facts, recipes, and motivational stuff. Pinterest makes me unproductive, however I feel like I am being productive because I actually use a lot of the stuff that I pin. It's Awesome!
The best part: you have to be invited to register, therefore it isn't full of the clutter of other social networking sites and it only shows you the things that you are interested in. If you want an invite: hit me up!
www.pinterest.com
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Are You Ready for Some......Star Spangled Banner?
http://espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/id/7066449/espn-hank-williams-jr-theme-song-return-monday-night-football
ESPN's broadcast of Outside the Lines might have ended up "Outside the Studio" if the contributors were actually present at the ESPN recording studios for this airing. The discussion was heated and no actual un-opinionated conclusion was ever made. I am torn on this issue. Being an avid sports enthusiast and one that is pursuing a career in the Sports industry, I can see where ESPN was justified in their reasoning, however I feel like they are taking the audience's feelings into too much consideration.
Like any industry, ESPN is trying to earn viewers, keep viewers, and essentially make a profit from their viewers. The NFL like every other professional league is multiracial and attracts a diverse group of viewers. If Hank Williams Jr.'s comment is seen as offensive by their viewing base and affects their numbers, ESPN should definitely pull the intro. However, isn't confederate to Hank Williams Jr. as activist is to Lady GaGa?
Hank Williams Jr. released the song "If the South Woulda Won" in 1988, which is the basis for Dave Zirin's argument on the ESPN broadcast. Subsequently, the country music star was hired to the do the Intro for Monday Night Football in 1991. Therefore, we can gather that ABC and ESPN could have already known that Hank Williams Jr. was capable of such comments like he made on October 3rd. Not to judge a book by its cover, but a viewer should be able to look at the guy & realize he isn't your average everyday American supporter.
Based on our knowledge of Hank Williams Jr., prior to the recent slurs he made at members of the American government, why does this change how we view the opening to Monday Night Football? I mean, I'm not a Dick Vitale fan because I don't like hearing about dOOK basketball every time I watch a game in which he commentates, but that's not going to keep me from watching College basketball. I do not think keeping the theme song for MNF will have a substantial effect on the viewership of the show. Sure, there will be that select few that would find it beneficial (or fun or occupying) to protest against ESPN if they had kept the song so therefore, I do find it logical that ESPN felt the need to do what they felt was best for their business.
So next Monday night, when you tune in to watch your favorite teams go head to head, sing the national anthem & pay your respects to the American democracy but don't invite all your rowdy friends.
And on a side note, Dave Zirin made himself look like an idiot on Outside the Lines. First of all, refer to my former statement about the song he CONSTANTLY refers to for his basis of argument. 1988 comes before 1991. If that song is that big of an issue, why did ESPN/ABC hire him in the first place?? Secondly, the Civil War was not essentially a war on slavery but a war for state's rights if you will so kindly refer to UNC History Professor William Barney. Bomani Jones was a BLACK MAN and his inital comment had absolutely no negative connotation towards the South or Hank Jr unlike those of Mr. Zirin. While I respect his work as a journalist, the man needs to keep his thoughts on paper and his mouth shut on the air.
ESPN's broadcast of Outside the Lines might have ended up "Outside the Studio" if the contributors were actually present at the ESPN recording studios for this airing. The discussion was heated and no actual un-opinionated conclusion was ever made. I am torn on this issue. Being an avid sports enthusiast and one that is pursuing a career in the Sports industry, I can see where ESPN was justified in their reasoning, however I feel like they are taking the audience's feelings into too much consideration.
Like any industry, ESPN is trying to earn viewers, keep viewers, and essentially make a profit from their viewers. The NFL like every other professional league is multiracial and attracts a diverse group of viewers. If Hank Williams Jr.'s comment is seen as offensive by their viewing base and affects their numbers, ESPN should definitely pull the intro. However, isn't confederate to Hank Williams Jr. as activist is to Lady GaGa?
Hank Williams Jr. released the song "If the South Woulda Won" in 1988, which is the basis for Dave Zirin's argument on the ESPN broadcast. Subsequently, the country music star was hired to the do the Intro for Monday Night Football in 1991. Therefore, we can gather that ABC and ESPN could have already known that Hank Williams Jr. was capable of such comments like he made on October 3rd. Not to judge a book by its cover, but a viewer should be able to look at the guy & realize he isn't your average everyday American supporter.
Based on our knowledge of Hank Williams Jr., prior to the recent slurs he made at members of the American government, why does this change how we view the opening to Monday Night Football? I mean, I'm not a Dick Vitale fan because I don't like hearing about dOOK basketball every time I watch a game in which he commentates, but that's not going to keep me from watching College basketball. I do not think keeping the theme song for MNF will have a substantial effect on the viewership of the show. Sure, there will be that select few that would find it beneficial (or fun or occupying) to protest against ESPN if they had kept the song so therefore, I do find it logical that ESPN felt the need to do what they felt was best for their business.
So next Monday night, when you tune in to watch your favorite teams go head to head, sing the national anthem & pay your respects to the American democracy but don't invite all your rowdy friends.
And on a side note, Dave Zirin made himself look like an idiot on Outside the Lines. First of all, refer to my former statement about the song he CONSTANTLY refers to for his basis of argument. 1988 comes before 1991. If that song is that big of an issue, why did ESPN/ABC hire him in the first place?? Secondly, the Civil War was not essentially a war on slavery but a war for state's rights if you will so kindly refer to UNC History Professor William Barney. Bomani Jones was a BLACK MAN and his inital comment had absolutely no negative connotation towards the South or Hank Jr unlike those of Mr. Zirin. While I respect his work as a journalist, the man needs to keep his thoughts on paper and his mouth shut on the air.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
To Pay or Not to Pay: That is the question.
http://keepittrill.com/online/2010/02/payola-hiphop-industry-controversy/
The issue of payola seems to be becoming more and more of a problem for the music industry. DJ's feel like they should be compensated for playing a record on their show while Indie artists feel that they should not have to pay because they do not have a promo budget. Bigger name artists who are already successful don't have to pay so why should they?
There honestly is no real solution to this problem. If Indie artists have to pay then so should other artists. DJ's feel that they should receive payment for promoting these artists, however aren't they on salary anyway? The simplest solution that I can formulate is for DJ's to propose a flat fee that all artists must pay in order for their music to be played. The alternative is for them not to have to pay at all. The only way to make it in the industry is exposure because that's how most people gain popularity among fans. These are the only fair possible avenues that could put everyone on a level playing ground. The music industry suffers if no new talent is being discovered, therefore I side with the Indie artists. But DJ's are trying to make a living just like everyone else, so there argument is valid as well.
Let's Keep it Trill.
The issue of payola seems to be becoming more and more of a problem for the music industry. DJ's feel like they should be compensated for playing a record on their show while Indie artists feel that they should not have to pay because they do not have a promo budget. Bigger name artists who are already successful don't have to pay so why should they?
There honestly is no real solution to this problem. If Indie artists have to pay then so should other artists. DJ's feel that they should receive payment for promoting these artists, however aren't they on salary anyway? The simplest solution that I can formulate is for DJ's to propose a flat fee that all artists must pay in order for their music to be played. The alternative is for them not to have to pay at all. The only way to make it in the industry is exposure because that's how most people gain popularity among fans. These are the only fair possible avenues that could put everyone on a level playing ground. The music industry suffers if no new talent is being discovered, therefore I side with the Indie artists. But DJ's are trying to make a living just like everyone else, so there argument is valid as well.
Let's Keep it Trill.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
RIP Newspapers
http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-december-9-2008/clusterf--k-to-the-poor-house---final-edition-edition#@k-to-the-poor-house
First of all, let me start by saying that I love Jon Stewart.
He has a valid point in his video in that the Newspaper industry is struggling. Dying? I don't think so. Newspapers are just having to adapt to the ever-changing technological times. More people are going to the Internet for information, instead of sitting down to read the paper. Many newspapers have quickly adapted to having the same coverage available online as they have in their actual hard copy.
On the other hand, many of the older generations of society still prefer to read an actual newspaper. Whether it be because they are technologically illiterate or set in their ways, we'll never know but many people still rely on it as their source of news. My grandmother gets her newspaper every morning and sits down to read the entire paper over a cup of coffee. I feel that for them, there is also a sense of security in relying on a newspaper. Many people (and myself included) believe that journalists are first account reporters of a story and give an unbiased, mult-sided view, therefore we feel that the paper is the best way to get the real scoop.
I feel like if the newspaper industry disappeared, we would be in a mess. TV News is too biased and every News Corporation is on a different wavelength, therefore I feel that consumers don't get the best coverage in that spectrum. As for radio, in order to get the volume that we get from our newspapers, we would have to invest in a few radio stations that were strictly news. And they would have to be free because not everyone will splurge on XM Satellite radio. Therefore, not profiting the news industry.
I think the Newspaper industry adapting to the Internet is a good thing. Everyone is jumping on the Green/Eco-friendly wagon anyway, and saving paper is never a bad thing (Just ask UNC ). For the younger generations, it is more convenient in that we can access our news anywhere without having to go retrieve our bulky hard copy. There are downsides in that many people will only read the news that is interesting to them, causing a decrease in public awareness on some issues. Also, Newspapers will have to eventually start charging a fee or sell more online ad space to supplement their income and pay their writers.
Will they ever stop printing newspapers? Probably not. Jon Stewart made this video in 2008. 3 years later, you still receive a USA today under your hotel door and you can pick up The Daily Tarheel on the way to class. Many people will continue to read a paper copy whether it be because they're old fashioned or they enjoy their newspaper clippings. To Each His Own.
First of all, let me start by saying that I love Jon Stewart.
He has a valid point in his video in that the Newspaper industry is struggling. Dying? I don't think so. Newspapers are just having to adapt to the ever-changing technological times. More people are going to the Internet for information, instead of sitting down to read the paper. Many newspapers have quickly adapted to having the same coverage available online as they have in their actual hard copy.
On the other hand, many of the older generations of society still prefer to read an actual newspaper. Whether it be because they are technologically illiterate or set in their ways, we'll never know but many people still rely on it as their source of news. My grandmother gets her newspaper every morning and sits down to read the entire paper over a cup of coffee. I feel that for them, there is also a sense of security in relying on a newspaper. Many people (and myself included) believe that journalists are first account reporters of a story and give an unbiased, mult-sided view, therefore we feel that the paper is the best way to get the real scoop.
I feel like if the newspaper industry disappeared, we would be in a mess. TV News is too biased and every News Corporation is on a different wavelength, therefore I feel that consumers don't get the best coverage in that spectrum. As for radio, in order to get the volume that we get from our newspapers, we would have to invest in a few radio stations that were strictly news. And they would have to be free because not everyone will splurge on XM Satellite radio. Therefore, not profiting the news industry.
I think the Newspaper industry adapting to the Internet is a good thing. Everyone is jumping on the Green/Eco-friendly wagon anyway, and saving paper is never a bad thing (Just ask UNC ). For the younger generations, it is more convenient in that we can access our news anywhere without having to go retrieve our bulky hard copy. There are downsides in that many people will only read the news that is interesting to them, causing a decrease in public awareness on some issues. Also, Newspapers will have to eventually start charging a fee or sell more online ad space to supplement their income and pay their writers.
Will they ever stop printing newspapers? Probably not. Jon Stewart made this video in 2008. 3 years later, you still receive a USA today under your hotel door and you can pick up The Daily Tarheel on the way to class. Many people will continue to read a paper copy whether it be because they're old fashioned or they enjoy their newspaper clippings. To Each His Own.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
G-Male: The Perfect Boyfriend or Big Brother?
Thanks to our dear friends at Google, apparently the search for the perfect boyfriend is over! Or is it? This video personifies the "keyword tracking" that the company uses in order to display sites and advertisements appropriate to the user. While I think having a live-in, know-all-tell-all boyfriend who can find anything that my sometimes scatterbrained self might misplace would be ideal, knowing my every thought leaves nothing to be desired.
Google's tracking tactics have never seemed to bother me. I have always found it helpful that my computer and/or browser knew me well enough to suggest places I might enjoy going or things I might enjoy looking at. Sometimes it shows me things I didn't even realize I was interested in buying! However, G-Male has shed a new light on the tracking issue. Seeing Google personified in this character makes it seem a little more creepy and slightly annoying. While the ad recommendations are helpful and seemingly entertaining, the lack of privacy is not so much. G-Male seemed insanely helpful and cute to start with but then his increase in pervasiveness completely altered his character. I would have knocked the guy out at 1:33. My mother isn't even that nosy/needy.
While Google has always been my search engine of choice (and I LOVE Google Chrome by the way), this video has potentially altered our relationship. If Yahoo! was scanning my e-mails, I would be a little more accepting due to the fact that they host my account. On a side note, I am irritated that I keep getting Viagra and Male Enhancement e-mails in my Spam. I checked "female" for a reason Yahoo! Anyways, while Google's tactics do seem creepy and invasive, I doubt it will have much of an effect on how much I use it or how private I keep my browsing. The people at Google don't know me from Adam.
I did think Comediva's portrayal was hilarious. It really made the issue seem more public and more open and made you think of it in a completely different aspect. The fact the guy knew such private information was a wake-up call to just how much information we do allow to be lost in the web. But as long as G-male stays in my computer and doesn't interfere with reality, we can be friends!
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