Schwarzenegger Didn't Control the Box
I've learned a lot of stuff from watching the PR and media machine of the Bush Administration. I hate to give Arnold advice after his Santa Monica graduation speech but...
1) Only go to events where you can control the audience. If you can't control the audience bring your own or don't go. If there are protesters, put them as far away from you and the cameras as possible. Claiming security reasons always works, even if the people have been frisked and cavity searched.
There should never be a photo like this, with a sign in the background that is unfavorable to you. You should never be hearing boos. If there are boos, someone in security or on the entry gate didn't do their job vetting everyone even remotely suspicious.
2) Control the sound. This also can be used against your opponents (see Dean Scream.)If you can't control the audience then control the sound. Watch GOP chairman Sensenbrenner during the hearings on the Patriot Act where he cut off the microphones or Bill O'Rielly during his show screaming "Cut his mike! Cut his mike!"
In PR your job isn't to allow free speech. It is to control the message. Part of your job is to control the image AND the sounds. Not just what is said, but what is seen and heard by the audience and the media. You also want to control the media with intimidation threats and loss of access. Arnold hasn't learned this yet. I blame Maria and her antiquated ideas of letting people have their say in public forums. Don't expect to see these kind of shots again anytime soon.
3) In the background have words saying what the speech is about using alliteration or words simple enough for the Fox News crowd to get the point. Like this.
1) Only go to events where you can control the audience. If you can't control the audience bring your own or don't go. If there are protesters, put them as far away from you and the cameras as possible. Claiming security reasons always works, even if the people have been frisked and cavity searched.
There should never be a photo like this, with a sign in the background that is unfavorable to you. You should never be hearing boos. If there are boos, someone in security or on the entry gate didn't do their job vetting everyone even remotely suspicious.
2) Control the sound. This also can be used against your opponents (see Dean Scream.)If you can't control the audience then control the sound. Watch GOP chairman Sensenbrenner during the hearings on the Patriot Act where he cut off the microphones or Bill O'Rielly during his show screaming "Cut his mike! Cut his mike!"
In PR your job isn't to allow free speech. It is to control the message. Part of your job is to control the image AND the sounds. Not just what is said, but what is seen and heard by the audience and the media. You also want to control the media with intimidation threats and loss of access. Arnold hasn't learned this yet. I blame Maria and her antiquated ideas of letting people have their say in public forums. Don't expect to see these kind of shots again anytime soon.
3) In the background have words saying what the speech is about using alliteration or words simple enough for the Fox News crowd to get the point. Like this.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home