November 10, 2009

A Coke Deal Gone Wrong

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PR in DC can be quite different from the type of PR work you’d do in NY, LA, Chicago, etc. Working at a large agency in town, we oftentimes attract the big-name clients that you’d find in other major metro cities, but our objectives and strategies tend to vary. Whereas a NY or LA may focus more on consumer, entertainment or branding campaigns, DC agencies seem to be expert in government relations, public affairs and grassroots initiatives. That said, many PR shops here represent associations, government entities, and corporations with a presence in the capital city.

The American Academy of Family Physicians is a perfect example of a typical client you may find in DC. And partnering with a recognizable company to draw attention to a cause is a typical recommendation we may make for such a client. But when the AAFP has consistently taken a position against obesity, sugary snacks (sodas in particular) and unhealthy eating, engaging a company like Coke doesn’t really send the right message.

The idea is “to develop educational materials to help consumers make informed decisions so they can include the products they love in a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle,” said Dr. Lori Heim, the academy’s president-elect. Not a bad way to spin it, but ultimately, all the public really sees is a physicians association in bed with a junk food manufacturer. And that doesn’t sit very well with parents, pediatricians and any other organization that wants to push an opposing agenda on the Hill.

But this Coke deal (sounds criminal doesn’t it) isn’t the first bright-idea partnership we’ve watched sour an image. From politicians taking campaign money from a company they’ve openly criticized to the AAP slapping an infant formula producer’s logo onto its breast-feeding guide, this type of thing happens all the time. As PR pros, it’s our job to constantly vet and fully think through any potential backlash that could result from a poorly suggested partnership or endorsement.

Have you guys had to avoid any similar situations with your clients?

 

November 5, 2009

Edelman Acquires Grassroots Enterprise

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Edelman, the world’s largest independent PR agency, just bought the bipartisan digital grassroots advocacy firm Grassroots Enterprise. Beyond some of the top minds in the field, GRE brings its proprietary technology platform called Grassroots Multiplier that gives Edelman the in-house capability to directly connect people with policymakers and Hill folks.

Politico says of the deal: “the acquisition reflects the evolution of public relations from mass communication to direct communication to — and from — consumers and constituents.”

And from Edelman DC’s president, Rob Rehg: “Edelman is thrilled to add the talents of the best digital grassroots advocacy firm in the U.S. This is a great marriage of strengths: Edelman’s industry-leading digital communications and public affairs practices along with Grassroots Enterprise’s award winning team of digital grassroots experts.”

More from the full press release here.

If you have any industry news you want to share, shoot it our way and we’ll post it for you.

 

November 3, 2009

Gov. to Assembly: F*** You

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In communications we always talk about the importance of delivering simple, concise messages that get a point across and resonate with a target audience. Well, minus the resonating part, the Governator certainly seemed to be on message with this letter directed to Members of the California State Assembly.

In his letter, Gov. Schwarzenegger rips the legislature for kicking “the can down the alley” on important issues that his administration has brought to the table. But with a keen eye toward detail, you’ll notice the first letter of every line collectively spells ‘Fuck You’.

Well played, Arnold. That took a lot of thought. A mere coincidence, as a spokesman calls it? You tell me.

Arnold letter

 

November 2, 2009

They Said It

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“I’m actually attracted to a lot of guys who are shorter than me, but when it actually comes down to it, it’s not good because I have to bend down, and I’m not into that.”
- Joss Stone to British OK! magazine

I shall bite my tongue…

“Man up and say I’m fat.”
- Chris Christie, nominee for New Jersey governor, responding to campaign ads by his opponent, Governor Jon Corzine, which appear to attack Christie’s weight

Interesting political strategy, Jon.

 “Yeah, some of them have been stunts … to try to get people interested in the magazine.”
- David Granger, Esquire editor in chief, on the magazine’s attempt to draw in more readers with 3-D animation; an onscreen image of the magazine comes to life when the issue is held in front of a webcam

“It’s like a second home, and it’s weird to think a stranger is in your home with you.”
- Martina Possedoni, British citizen, on London’s largest cemetery’s efforts to persuade people to share their grave with a stranger

Agreed, that is weird.

“It’s very unusual and is not likely to be repeated.”
- Bob Bancroft, a rep from the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources, after singer Taylor Mitchell was killed by coyotes in a national park

That’s really terrible. What a way to go…

 “My goodness. What a coincidence. I suppose when you do so many vetoes, something like this is bound to happen.”
- Aaron McLear, spokesman for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, responding to allegations that a veto letter contained a hidden obscene message

“Yeah. Let’s get high.”
- Andre Agassi, discussing his dabbles with crystal meth in an upcoming autobiography

Why the hell would you admit many of the things he does in this book?

“This Google is amazing. You can read other newspapers just like that.”
- Kavita, an editor of India’s first newspaper written and read by women, after using the Internet for the first time

You’d be surprised what else you can do on that Google thing.

“Just because I’m skinny doesn’t mean I’m not tough.”
- Barack Obama, saying he won’t be bothered by claims that he has accomplished little in office so far

“I have trouble listening to what he says sometimes because of the blood that drips from his teeth while he’s talking.”
- Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) on Vice President Dick Cheney

That’s pretty good.

 

November 2, 2009

The jello shots were a hit…

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Here are a few shots from Dupont After Dark last week. You can check out some more photos here. We had a really great time. Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate with us!

Halloween 5Halloween 7Halloween 3

 

October 28, 2009

Reminder! Dupont After Dark

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Ad2_YMCHalloweenWeb

WHEN:

Thursday, October 29th, 6:30 – 11pm

WHERE: MADHATTER
1831 M St NW (2 blocks from Dupont Metro stop, between 18 and 19 Sts NW)

COST: FREE entry. Drink Specials to include $3 domestic beers, $4 16oz. rail drinks, $5 house wine, and $3 shots – that’s right, we’ll be taking shots.

PRIZES: One lucky registrant will win a $30 Gift Certificate to Porter’s, courtesy of Ad 2 & Young MC!

Ad 2 will raffle off one ticket to the DC Ad Club luncheon with Google’s Chief Internet Evangelist and Recognized Internet Pioneer – Vint Cerf!

And yes, there are TVs upstairs that will be showing the football game.

Hope to see you there!

 

October 26, 2009

New Technology = New Media

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Apparently, I’m catching wind of this new Apple “Tablet” rumor a bit late. Supposedly, this new, flat touch-screen computer will be connected to the internet at all times and will have video, music and phone capabilities—and basically everything else the iPhone currently has. Aside from the fact that this thing sounds pretty awesome, it could likely be a real game changer for how we think about media.

This Newsweek article, which first turned me on to the “Tablet”, discusses the notion. Just as new forms of social media have transformed the way we communicate with audiences, disseminate information and strategize for our clients, new technologies are expanding our means of communication and requiring us to consider “media” in an entirely different light. It’s no longer so cut-and-dry as the glory days of print newspapers and the 5 o’clock evening news.

Look at how people have turned their creativity loose on the iPhone. In just 16 months, thousands of developers have created 85,000 applications for that device. The same will happen with tablets. These powerful devices with constant Internet access will enable us (and force us) to rethink media. What is a newspaper? What is a book? What is a movie? What is entertainment?

 

October 23, 2009

Some like it nice and slow

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We saw what a good grassroots campaign can do for a low-budget film, now take a look at what Woody Tasch’s campaign is trying to accomplish. He’s essentially marketing the fundamentals of what he calls “Slow Money Principles,” and working to gather one million signatories to support the idea.

As a PR guy, I’m far from being economically savvy, but this grassroots approach to solving our fiscal woes caught my eye. In a nutshell this dude created a nonprofit to organize an “international movement to bring money back down to earth.” Whatever that means. This article explains it nice and simply.  

What’s interesting is rather than take to a soap box and hit the airwaves touting his unique solution for the economy, he’s doing what many of us would counsel to a client who’s looking to garner widespread-support for a cause. I was working with a business association last year trying to drum up support for a particular health care initiative, so we launched a national grassroots campaign to encourage folks to join the movement and sign a petition. It was quite effective and really made an impact in the reform debate. But I’m curious to see how much steam this thing actually builds and whether his creative approach to saving the world from economic destruction (too dramatic?) will actually pan out.

It’s a novel concept:

 

October 19, 2009

Paranormal Grassroots

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I generally don’t have much interest in “scary” movies. Chopping up people and creepy encounters don’t really do it for me (I’d prefer a glass of red, my Snuggie and “The Notebook”). So that said, the new flic “Paranormal Activity” isn’t really a must-see for me.

The movie is one of those indie films shot entirely on a camcorder and produced for next to nothing. But in one weekend, the movie—which was played in fewer than 200 theaters—pulled in $7.1 million. Well how did such a budget film bring in record-breaking dollar figures you may ask? The answer: a smart grassroots marketing campaign.

Because of a tight advertising budget, Paramount Pictures had to rely on a unique marketing approach. So, it employed movie goers and its fans to spread the word and promote the film—yes via Twitter and YouTube, of course.

“The best advertising is word of mouth,” said Rajiim Gross, a CNN iReporter. “People tell 10 friends, they go see it and they tell 10 more friends and soon you have an entire community who wants to see it.”

Beyond just word-of-mouth advertising, Paramount encouraged fans to log onto the movie site and demand that their local theaters show the film. A political approach—smart. And the studio even used folks in waiting lines outside theaters to convey how awesome/frightening the flic is in its trailer. “It was very important that we sold this as an experience and rather than just a movie…. we changed the marketing techniques in advertising and online to make it more experiential,” said Josh Greenstein, co-president of marketing for Paramount.

Like I said, I usually wouldn’t be very inclined to check out a movie like this, but the homegrown support is certainly convincing. A nice example of how a simple grassroots campaign can really go a long way.

 

October 15, 2009

Dupont After Dark – Oct 29

Posted by tay123 under Other Events, happy hour | Tags: , |
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click the invite for a larger pic

click the invite for a larger pic

WHEN: Thursday, October 29th, 6:30 – 11pm

WHERE: Porter’s Dining Saloon
1207 19th St NW (2 blocks from Dupont Metro stop)

COST: FREE entry. Drink Specials to include $3 domestic beers, $4 16oz. rail drinks, $5 house wine, and $3 shots.

PRIZES: One lucky registrant will win a $30 Gift Certificate to Porter’s, courtesy of Ad 2 & Young MC!

Ad 2 will raffle off one ticket to the DC Ad Club luncheon with Google’s Chief Internet Evangelist and Recognized Internet Pioneer -Vint Cerf!

 

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