Why I want to be Osama Bin Laden’s Publicist..an editorial Thursday, September 20, 2007

Filed under: Business, Corporate America, IRAN, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Marketing, Music, News, Osama bin Laden, Television, african american, boxing, celebrity, entertainment, gossip, health, hip hop, media, mediatakeout.com, oscar De La Hoya, public relations — ilovemypublicist @

         

Just before the sixth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Osama bin Laden released a new videotape, in which he adopts a neo-Marxist posture, suggesting that mortgage debt, global warming, growing wage inequality and other ills are a result of greed from multinational corporations and politics of the West.

Osama released a new message today calling for attacks.

The hype surrounding the release of Osama’s new tape got me to thinking– if Osama was a rap star, or a big movie actor like Tom Cruise, I would probably be the richest publicist on the planet. So rich I could buy up all the world’s oil and sell it in cute little bottles at the 99cent store.

He seems like he would be a typical client… always wanting the world to hear what he’s got to say. And, he would always be coming up with some new idea or theory for me to publicize.  Just like most celebrity clients, he would be somewhat hard to get on the phone.

It wouldn’t matter if people liked me or not because I would be holding the key to the voice of the most notorious person on the planet. Imagine it.  This guy releases a new tape almost every year and if it was available on iTunes, it would make a killing (not literally). He changes the color of his beard and people pay attention. Osama is, in fact, the new Britney Spears.

And just like Britney, at some point people will no longer pay attention to what he has to say and who knows, one day an Osama tape just might flop. But none of that will happen until Osama walks the red carpet in a hideous outfit. But then, that would be new, news right?

 

The Remake of Keyshia Cole Into Mary J. Blige Friday, August 24, 2007

Filed under: Keyshia Cole, Marketing, Mary J Blige, Music, News, R & B, african american, celebrity, entertainment, hip hop, media, mediatakeout.com, public relations, publicity — ilovemypublicist @

Keyshia Cole is just like you 

The seeds were planted early. When we first heard Keyshia Cole’s raspy yet distinguished voice it reminded everyone of only one person we had heard before- Mary J. Blige. Keyshia had that same swagger and toughness and that “thing” that made her a little rough around the edges but very likeable. Just like when we first met Mary back in the 90’s. Then we saw Keyshia team up with Diddy. Just like Mary. And sometime early last year the comparisons were just too many to overlook which brings us to the current marketing campaign for Keyshia Cole’s new album.

Both ladies are on the same record label so the hype can be controlled and managed internally. Nice set up right? Smart.

At first, the tag line doesn’t really make sense. Just like you? Is she trying to connect with her fans in a more personal way, trying to drive home the message, you and I are one?

Or, is there an underlying message to fuel new rumors, spark excitement for sales and set the stage for the entrance of a new diva into the world of R & B?

Do you think the record label is setting up a controversy to drive sales?

Read about the new cover and news here:

http://www.mediatakeout.com/

http://www.vibe.com/blog/vc/2007/08/keyshia_coles_new_cd_cover_sur.html

 

Mike Vick, The Media and a Pitbull walk into a bar… Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Filed under: Business, Corporate America, Marketing, News, Publicist I Would NOT Want To Be This Week!, celebrity, entertainment, media, sports — ilovemypublicist @

 

While many people in and around the NFL are wondering if Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick ever will play in the league again, former Green Bay general manager Ron Wolf is wondering why not.

“If he pays his debt to society, why shouldn’t he get another chance?” asked Wolf, who was the engineer of Green Bay’s Super Bowl championship team in the 1996 season. “Maybe I don’t understand something in all of this, but you’re supposed to get a second chance in this country.”

However, according to interviews with several NFL executives, Wolf is in the minority. Four other general managers and/or other personnel executives said they thought a return by Vick would be problematic.

“Yeah, that’s true, but it’s a different time, a different place, a different set of circumstances,” said a general manager who asked not to be identified. On Monday, Vick’s attorney Billy Martin announced that the quarterback will plead guilty to federal dogfighting conspiracy charges. Conditions of the terms are unknown, but Vick faces up to five years in prison.

The most damning evidence made public against Vick came Friday when co-defendants Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips also pleaded guilty. In their plea, Peace and Phillips admitted to killing eight dogs in April at Vick’s property in Virginia and said that Vick participated in the death of the animals. The animals were destroyed because they failed to perform well enough in testing to see if they were “game” enough to be good fighters.

The Vick issue is layered with questions, such as how long he might serve in prison, how long the NFL will suspend him once he officially enters his plea Aug. 27 and whether the Falcons will go after approximately $28 million the team paid him in bonus money.

Still, the bottom line comes down to whether he’ll get another chance. Adding to the complexity of the situation, said one general manager, is that Vick plays quarterback. Will some NFL team ever want a convicted animal killer and liar to be the face of a franchise?

“You’re not talking about just anybody on your football team,” the GM said. “You’re talking about the leader of your team, the most recognizable player on your team, the guy who you normally market the team around and try to get the fans excited about.

“Do you really think you’re ever going to be able to get people to put their arms around that guy again? Maybe, but I don’t think I’d be able to pull it off. We’re not talking about just football here. We’re talking about marketing, profile, what your sponsors think.”

At the same time, Wolf contended that crime is crime and that other players have been found guilty of activities seemingly just as serious.

“We’ve had a lot of people in this league do a lot of bad things, and they still got a chance,” Wolf said. “Leonard Little killed someone (while drunk driving). Jamal Lewis went to prison (in connection to) selling drugs. Are you telling me that killing eight dogs is worse than killing a human being? … Yes, this is bad, but are you really telling me that he doesn’t deserve a chance to play again when other people have committed crimes and come back?”

Oakland managing general partner Al Davis and Dallas owner Jerry Jones were among those mentioned as owners who might take a chance on Vick if and when Atlanta lets him go.

The additional issue with Vick is that well before he got in trouble, there were concerns about whether he could become a polished quarterback. Atlanta hired coach Bobby Petrino this offseason with the goal of concluding if Vick ever would harness his impressive talent.

“The fact that he’s only 27 and he’s still going to be a great athlete in a year or two is going to help him, but now he’s behind for two years,” the GM said. “I wasn’t sure how good a quarterback he was before. What’s he going to be in two years?”

Prescription: This situation is more than a scandal it’s a PR crisis on fire.  The real question is IF he even wants to come back, and if and when this thing plays out, what would his options be? Is there a way he can use the media to stage a comeback that would redeem him with fans, the league, animal lovers, the general public and more importantly, the advertisers?

While it is oh, so true that there have been others who have committed worse crimes, there is always “one” the media does not forgive. Being African American may might not help the situation either. The media forgave Kobe Bryant and that may have met the “forgiven athlete” quota. There is no scientific methodology to prove it, but it’s true.

This may end up being, just another  ”hot” scandal that plays out in the news cycle, one  that is easily forgotten until a similar case arises. For example, the next wrestler who is accused of steroid use will probably be compared to Chris Benoit because Chris, and the next publicized user of steroids won’t be the last. This crime, although common is unusual and horrific to mainstream America. Drug use, physical and domestic abuse and other related crimes are things we have become desensitized to. There just have not been enough reformed, animal abuser athletes to measure this case with, so it is pretty unimaginable that Vick could come back to Atlanta as the star he was.

The only thing that will determine if Vick can come back is time and a good publicist. Enough time needs to pass so that people vaguely remember what Vick did without being reminded by a news article. And, enough time for Vick to find the meanest, baddest publicist on the planet who will crush the critics, hush the naysayers and remind people that once you’ve paid your debt to society you should be able to come back.

The question would then be, comeback as what?

Commentator? One can’t really trust his opinion. Role model for kids? He would SEEM too dangerous. Spokesperson? A product is often considered as good as the image associated with it. An author? Probably. Everybody wants to wants to know the back story behind the spin.

I wonder if Vick knows any good publicists.

Click this link to read a great analysis and full article by Jason Cole:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jc-vickfuture082007&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

 

Ryan Seacrest buffs his helmet for the BIG game! Sunday, August 19, 2007

Filed under: Business, Corporate America, Marketing, News, Television, entertainment, media — ilovemypublicist @

Fox will give American Idol host Ryan Seacrest the chance to do the seemingly impossible: Appear on a show that, at times, can draw even bigger audiences than the all-powerful Idol: Fox’s Super Bowl pregame show. He’ll host entertainment segments from a set, outside the Arizona Cardinals’ stadium positioned to intercept incoming celebs. It’s the latest instance of TV sports incorporating red-carpet-style coverage, a genre epitomized by reporters posing this question: “Who are you wearing?”

Fox Sports Chairman David Hill says there’s a rationale in using Seacrest that goes beyond using the Super Bowl to cross-promote Fox’s biggest hit. Other Fox cross-promotion will include Neil Cavuto, expected to star on Fox’s upcoming business channel, to talk about the Super Bowl’s impact on, say, avocado sales. “I see Ryan as a latter-day Dick Clark, who was a conduit through which America viewed pop culture,” says Hill. “He’s on his way toward assuming Dick Clark’s mantle.”

Said Seacrest, in a statement: “This will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of my career. Seacrest, out.”

Hill suggests “more and more celebrities are showing up at Super Bowls, and they’re being ignored.” Unfortunately, the average American can’t do much to address that tragedy. But Fox can address that sad oversight even as it captures an eternal truth: “We’ll balance football and entertainment and —bingo!— that’s what the Super Bowl is all about.”

Prescription: When Fox last aired Superbowl three years ago,” Idol” had yet to become the phenomenon it is now. Only strategic thinking and targeted planning could pull off such a full encompasing PR/ Marketing strategy such as this one and possibly set Fox up as the home of the superbowl.

Lets look at this new homegrown audience Fox is pulling together:  the gazillion fans of “Idol” which include a percantage of tween girls, boys and grandma’s who probably dont really watch sports but are more likely to tune in with Seacrest as host,  an underserved audience who love celebrities ( gasp), the money crunchers who probably only really watched for the commercials now tuning in for Neil Cavuto and, lest we forget, the Sports fans! All these mixed together for a yummy ratings pie.

At the end of the day its a branding miracle and the ultimate 401k plan for a TV network.  Fox wins by carefully crafting a progam that serves every desirable demographic  and sets up rating for future programing.

What do you think about this?

Read the story here:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/hiestand-tv/2007-08-16-seacrest-superbowl_N.htm?csp=34 

 

A CIGARETTE As Good As My Dildo?!hmmmmm Sunday, August 19, 2007

Filed under: Business, Corporate America, Golden Dragon Group, Marketing, News, Ruyan, cigarettes, health, public relations, publicist, publicity — ilovemypublicist @

A Chinese company is seeking FDA approval for a battery-powered cigarette that delivers nicotine without the toxins, reports Business 2.0 Magazine.

It feels like a cigarette, looks like a cigarette but it isn’t bad for your health.   A Chinese company marketing the world’s first “electronic” cigarette hopes to double sales this year as it expands overseas and as some of China’s legions of smokers try to quit.

Golden Dragon Group Ltd’s Ruyan cigarettes are battery-powered, cigarette-shaped devices that deliver nicotine to inhalers in a bid to emulate actual smoking.

“The nicotine is delivered to the lungs within 7 to 10 seconds,” said Scott Fraser, Vice President of SBT Co. Ltd., the Beijing-based firm that first developed the electronic cigarette technology in 2003 and which is now controlled by Golden Dragon.

“It feels like a cigarette, looks like a cigarette, it even emits vapor. In many ways, it is like an actual smoking experience, and that’s what makes us different,” he told Reuters.

Golden Dragon’s competitors include global giants Pfizer and Novartis AG, which sell more familiar nicotine replacement products such as chewing gum, patches, and inhalers.

Prescription: The next time you read a story in a newspaper or online, be sure to look at the source. You could be reading the The New York Times but the actual story may have originated or been picked up from a newswire like the Associated Press or Reuters.

Successful public relations campaigns are fundamentally based on how many times your  person, product or company are mentioned in the media and where.  That said, using newswires like Associated Press or Reuters can be an invalueable tool since particulary these two newswires are picked up all over the world and in most cases the stories are used word for word, unedited.

Such is the case for this new e-cigarette. The story was seen on Reuters and also in Business 2.0 magazine and was picked up by CNNmoney.com and a few other business sites.  It was probably smart not to blanket the media with this story at first but rather pick the media outlet to cover this that would be the most strategic for the company–a media outlet that would probably avoid negative trigger words like: addition, cancer, death and kids, among others.

Business 2.0 is a great magazine  for the E-Cigarette brand. Their focus is the business aspect first and foremost of any company so the risks to health whether minimal or great are really not a focus in its reporting on Golden Dragon Group. That is what makes this a great media placement for the E-cigarette.

I have to jump straight to the quote given by Scott Fraser, Vice President of SBT Co. Ltd. on what this product is and does.  If it looks like a duck and sounds like a duck it probably is a duck especially if really want vegetarian duck. His quote really sums up all the qualities that many say make smoking enjoyable.

The last part of this PR equation inlcludes Golden Dragon’s competitors which include any company that produces a pill, patch, gum AND even cigarettes themselves. Because, what if one could promote the E-cigarette so well it obliterated the “patch” solutions to the quitting of smoking and took over the cigarette industry as a whole! ( cue theme from Superman)…. perhaps, there is far more money in trully safer cigarette than trying to cure the addiction. Just a thought. 

Their online video commerical messaging addresses all the issues that smokers face, with the E-Cigarette being the healthy, socially acceptable option, perhaps making the viewer consider all the places smoking is banned and inconvienent for smokers and those who would be exposed to second hand smoke.

One might say, the companies who make cigarettes, the patches and the gum should come out swinging and rev up thier own PR machines. But, that would only promote the E-Cigarette further, no?

All they can do is sit, wait and watch and see who catches the vapors.

Do you think they should market this as  “THE SAFE” cigarette or a new way to smoke with a healthy twist?

See the video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bz2CFa4I2DM

The links to these stories here:

http://money.cnn.com/2007/08/09/magazines/business2/electronic_cigarette.biz2/index.htm?postversion=2007081306

http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSSP23039020070509 

 

Your Baby Is Dumber Than Mine Friday, August 10, 2007

Filed under: Business, Corporate America, Marketing, News, Publicist I Would NOT Want To Be This Week!, media, public relations, publicist, publicity — ilovemypublicist @

Go to fullsize image

Educational videos designed to stimulate young minds, like “Baby Einstein” and “Brainy Baby,” may actually impede language development, according to a new study published this week in the Journal of Pediatrics. The DVDs have become one of the most popular educational tools for parents, with promises to build the vocabulary and enhance the cognitive development of babies as young as 3 months old. The baby-brain industry now represents about $20 billion a year, according to Susan Gregory Thomas, author of “Buy Buy Baby” (Houghton Mifflin, 2007). But the claims of these manufacturers are largely unsubstantiated.  And the new study says they may do more harm than good.

Susan McClain, general manager of the Baby Einstein Co., told NEWSWEEK in an e-mail that the company’s collection “is specifically designed to promote discovery and inspire new ways for parents and babies to interact—such as clapping, pointing to objects and verbally interacting with their baby.” Representatives of Brainy Baby Co.—the other leading educational baby-video manufacturer—were not available for comment.

Prescription: Ok, if you remember I mentioned in previous posts that every so often in a publicists life, a major occurrence happens that can change history in a good way or instantly combust your client and its brand into flames.

So, we have here the Journal of Pediatrics who conducted a study of a $20 billion a year industry ( how much is that every two weeks?). It should be noted that studies such as these are excellent publicity tools as we see the increased exposure of the Journal of Pediatrics in just about every major news source this week. It has all the components of an excellent Public Relations campaign neatly wrapped up, tied with a bow and attached to the brand recognition of the Baby Einstein Co.

The Journal of Pediatrics has out all its guns to push its findings to the front of the news line including using lead author of the study, Frederick Zimmerman as a spokesperson. We even see authors of books and such jumping into the mix taking full advantage of the frenzy.

The root of this PR debacle for the Baby Einstein Co. is that the study was based on educational videos as a whole, not specifically the Baby Einstein Co.!!

Susan McClain’s comment is rather weak and passive and doesn’t defend a brand that is being labeled useless. And, maybe videos from the Baby Einstein Co. are indeed useless in making your baby smarter but, it feels like, seems like and reads like, the Baby Einstein Co. is taking the fall for the baby video industry as a whole. Brainy Baby Co.—the other leading educational baby-video manufacturer is smart. They have not entered the mix with a comment, steering whenever possible, attention away from them, letting Baby Einstein Co. defend the baby video industry and overall existence.

The other issue I have here is that the Baby Einstein Co. used their general manager as the spokesperson in the Newsweek story. In an attempt to salvage what might be left of brand confidence why wouldn’t they use a higher ranking spokesperson? Think about it. If you lost brain cells every time you drank a cup of coffee at Starbucks ( I know that’s extreme) would you want to hear from the stores’ general manager or the CEO?

Prescription: It’s too late to tell a patient whose had a heart attack that maybe they shouldn’t have eaten that rack of ribs last week or tell Baby Einstein Co. that maybe they could have ramped up their messaging of the interactive value of their brand before this study came out. Like a nasty cut, all you can do is wait for hit to heal and hope it doesn’t leave a big scar.

Read the Newsweek story here:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20167189/site/newsweek/page/0/

 

Can I get a McAss with that Shake? Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Filed under: Business, Corporate America, Marketing, Music — ilovemypublicist @

             

Rapper Twista, who was tapped by McDonald’s to perform during its nationwide concert series, has been dropped from the lineup because of his “controversial lyrics,” the fast food giant said Monday. 

The Chicago rapper is better known for his lightning-fast rap delivery than particularly raunchy content: His hits include “Slow Jamz,” with Kanye West and Jamie Foxx, and “Overnight Celebrity.” However, he does use explicit language and reference drugs in his some of his rhymes.

McDonald’s, which initially signed the rapper to perform in Chicago for its 10-city concert series, said it could no longer support Twista for the Aug. 7 performance. 

“Although we respect free speech and artistic expression, we do not condone or perpetuate derogatory language,” said spokesman William Whitman in a statement. “We want to ensure these free concerts are fun as well as appropriate for all of our customers.”

Prescription: Things like this happen a lot in big companies where the brand is a mega giant in it’s industry. I think this was just a case of smart marketing people who were too busy pushing and promoting its brand to a core audience and demographic that they forgot or maybe overlooked a minor detail that had the potential to blow up in it’s face–Twista’s explicit lyrics and a possible connection to happy meals for kids.

Now, I’m not one to take food out of anyone else’s mouth, Twista, ( no pun intended) but McDonald’s did the right thing by pulling him off the tour. The idea was a great concept but not really a good overall fit for the brand. But, props have to go Twista for his final rebuttal:

Twista said that typically, when he performs at events that are more mainstream and that attract kids, he cleans up his lyrics, and had intended to do so for the Chicago performance.

“I was actually going to have a school with a choir come sing the song ‘Hope’ with me. So now … McDonald’s have to tell the kids that they can’t perform.”

Imagine Ronald McDonald delivering that message!

Read the story here:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070731/ap_en_mu/music_mcdonald_s_twista