Media's Agenda: Real life meets fiction-then real life again

“In all, they charged 63 suspects with federal and state drug conspiracy counts — among them Felicia “Snoop” Pearson, whose arrest on heroin-related and aiding and abetting charges echoed the street lifestyle she portrayed as a character in HBO’s series “The Wire” and sought to overcome in her personal life,” according to the Baltimore Sun (March 10, 2011|By Justin Fenton).

As a public relations professional, with an in-depth understanding of the media, I’m not at all surprised that Pearson’s reality never changed, despite the bright lights of Hollywood.  In fact, Hollywood did everything they could to ensure that she remained just who she was when they found her.

I have two words “Cultivation Theory.”  This theory suggests that the mass media ‘cultivates’ ideas, attitudes, values etc., which are already present but have not been reinforced or widely disseminated. Well, the culture of Baltimore’s gritty, mean, violent, drug-filled streets were familiar only to those in and around Baltimore.  That was until HBO produced “The Wire.”  The show gave real look at the drug game in Baltimore and what better way to bring reality to fiction than to place real culture in the show…i.e., Felicia “Snoop” Pearson.

Understand something, the media has an agenda, which is usually driven by ratings, which in really means “dollars.”  You can believe one thing is true, it will do everything it can to meet agenda.

That’s why, whether you’re an organization, an athlete, politician, or entertainer, if you’re in the media’s eye, you’d serve yourself and your reputation major injustice if fail to place a public relations professional on your team.  As soon as “Snoop” went from the real Baltimore streets to the “camera ready” version, if she wasn’t, she should have been, if a public relations firm wasn’t guiding her—her reputation was at risk.

When I say reputation, I’m referring to both—her real life reputation and her made for “HBO” reputation.  The thing that, according to an interview with “Omar,” the “Wire” character who robbed drug dealers, Snoop’s real life personality is was landed her newfound fame.  Her fans loved her, not just for the role she played, but also where she came from.  With the right public relations guidance, she could have maintained a favorable reputation for both sides of “Snoop.”

Understanding two things, the media builds a frame of reference (Framing Theory), which cultivates ideas, beliefs and attitudes built into the frame. A public relations professional, with an understanding of the media, its goals and theory, would have been able to build their own frame of reference and cultivate ideas, believe and attitudes on their terms.

So, what do you do after the crisis—after the reputation has been tarnished? A skilled public relations professional uses that to manage that crisis and rebuild that reputation.

Ichnite Public Relations & Strategic Communications is just the firm to take on issues such as this.  But don’t wait until you need us to call us—we can build a media strategy in the early stages to keep you and/or your organization on the right side of the media.  But we’re also here if you by chance end up on the wrong side.

www.ichnitepr.com

Athletes in America: A Race to Save Your Reputational Assets

Mark Sanchez, the face of the New York Jets and Ben Roethlisberger, the face of the Pittsburgh Steelers are both 20-something young, rich, and seemingly successful athletes.  I say seemingly, because really, who determines success?

Nonetheless, both athletes were accused of sexual misconduct, which raises very ethical questions; not to mention damage to their reputations.   Besides the legal questions surrounding the misconduct of both athletes, there remain character questions, whereby the court of public opinion could influence the future of both athletes. 

Now don’t get me wrong, they will continue to play professional football until they can no longer physically play the game.  I’m referring marketability, the diminished brand value and the overarching negative public relations cloud that will probably follow them where ever they go. That is of course, unless of course they reinvent themselves like Michael Vick. 

Don’t misunderstand me, I think the resurgence and redefined attitude of Michael Vick is probably the comeback story of the decade.  If you’re honest with yourself and contrary of your animal rights stance, it’s not everyday that a person spends time in jail and actually comes out a better person than when they went it.

What I’m trying to say is, athletes like the aforementioned, are worth millions in the eyes of the team owners and advertisers.  Let’s face it, it’s not really about football, it’s about capitalism; if it don’t make money, it don’t make sense.

With increased media, the spotlights on these athletes are becoming more and more intense. The expectations are higher—athletic expectations that is.  Somewhere between Pop Warner Football, starting at say, age 8, up until they’re dream to play in the NFL, many of these athletes had no formal training or preparation in ethics or civility. 

Instead, you take a young man who has been highly touted since he was seven. You make concessions and excuses that enable him and stunt his growth. Then you give him millions of dollars at the age of 21 and expect him to go out into the world and do all the right things.

As a public relations professional, I can tell you that is not an easy road.  Building the person while you build the athlete, has to be priority one and paramount! Crisis communication and reputation management are vital to off-the-field longevity of these athletes. 

Just ask Tiki Barber, the once charismatic smiling TV host and football analyst who ousted as soon as he disclosed that he was having an affair with an intern at the same time that his wife was pregnant. Not a good move! Raise questions of ethical soundness are raised; you’re no longer a hot commodity.  Unfortunately, Mr. Barber’s contract was not renewed and his endorsement deals dried up.

At ichnite public relations and strategic communications, we help organizations and individuals manage both, their crises and reputations.

http://www.ichnitepr.com/