I could easily live the rest of my life without ever seeing “The View“, so for President Obama to make an appearance on the talk show that discusses the latest Kim Kardashian tweets borders on absurdity.  How can the appearance possibly be regarded as statesman-like?  Do presidents of other countries make similar choices?  How in the world could Obama choose what appears to be some lightweight program with four hens just a cackling and pecking one another?  Seriously, he choose Joy Behar over the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts?  As a public relations strategist, I question the move – UNLESS it was a purposeful quasi-military tactic to go where your strongest supporters are.  Connsider his abysmal approval ratings and since “The View” attracts a large female contingency, it makes perfect sense for Obama to stop by and say whatever he said to the gender credited for electing him.   If I were advising him, I might recommend the same tactic, which is basically go where you’re liked to help ensure that you’re still liked in future elections.  Two virtual Cups of Joe to the White House communications staff for putting their “client” first, not to mention likely job security in the future.  Up next: a regular segment on Oprah.  

The virtual Cup of Joe Award from EveryDayPR spotlights our pick of the week for a public relations performance –  good, bad or ugly.  If you’d like to make a nomination, contact shart@hartpr.com or www.Twitter.com/susanhartpr.

If you halfway recognized the take-off of the headline, then you know that this 1969 hit by Zager and Evans basically talks about the demise of human beings to make way for more technical and mechanical lifeforms.  It’s not exactly a warm and fuzzy tune with lots of rainbows and puppies. However, it does give one reason to think about technology and its impact on people and relationships.

I’m the first to admit a reluctance to jump on the social media bandwagon. I scoffed for months at the notion of wasting my time and precious energy, a la Tracy Chapman.  But goal-setting, client service and hunger for knowledge won out, and I jumped on board, which brings me to the $64,000 question:  How effective can social media be in the future if communicators end up being the only ones communicating with each other? Let me answer the question by repeating the lessons I learned about various tools of social media like blogging, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.:

1)  One of the first people to advise me in navigating the social media map is Walter Lim of Cool Insights in Singapore.  When asked how do people grow their blogs, he simply said reciprocity. 

2)  Get involved, network, and watch trends on Twitter, says Internet marketer Maria Gordon.

3)  Copyblogger’s Jonathon Morrow says the more interesting the blog content is, the better. 

4)  Retweets are all the rage, per John Moore of the Social Ecosystem Lab.

5)  Public relations practitioners lead the social media revolution in most organizations, according to the 2009 Digital Readiness Report.  

So at the end of the social media day, are we, as public relations experts, just trying to sell one another on the products and services of ourselves and our clients?  Don’t get me wrong, I’m a great advocate for social media.  I’ve seen how clients and friends have grown their businesses and relationships, and I’ve experienced such growth myself.  But I’m also a strategist. Hence, the $64,000 question: How effective can social media be in the future if communicators end up being the only ones communicating with each other?   

All thoughts, predictions and arguments welcome.

UPDATE:  Shirley Sherrod files lawsuit against Andrew Brietbart for defamation.

whatever will be may not be. Case in point:  Shirley Sherrod. First, Andrew Brietbart’s Big Government Blog posts an edited video of a speech made by Sherrod to a NAACP chapter in Georgia.  The blog was was supposed to demonstrate racism on the part of Sherrod. However, after watching the entire speech, I’m stumped. First, why did said blogger do what he did especially if the event is on tape?  Second, this woman is not stupid and clearly can hold her own.  Her real-world experience about dealing with a white farmer is subsequently described as a lesson in the “haves and the have nots”.  This is what prompted her to want to help poor people with her mantra being “God helped me see that it’s not about black people, it’s about poor people”. She frequently references God and his grace (why aren’t the atheists screaming about that?). She talks about the importance of things like home ownership, helping your community, having a good credit record and entrepreneurship. In fact, she sounded a lot like Bill Cosby.

So why fire the woman? Why be so quick to judge? Was this the final straw in a series of poor employee performance? The rush to judgment in this case gives me great concern about decision making on Capitol Hill.  The fact that the President had to take the time to apologize to Sherrod means he’s not doing what he was elected to do - govern this country. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack didn’t do himself any public relations favors by firing someone without knowing all the facts, or (and here’s an idea), talking directly to the person. And here’s the kicker – Vilsack offers her a “new unique position” at the USDA.  So how much did that cost? I remain stumped. 

Shirley Sherrod deserves three virtual Cups of Joe for handling the situation with much poise and aplomb.

The virtual Cup of Joe Award from EveryDayPR spotlights our pick of the week for a public relations performance –  good, bad or ugly.  If you’d like to make a nomination, contact shart@hartpr.com or www.Twitter.com/susanhartpr.

As public relations professionals, one of our responsibilities is to keep it real with our clients and organizations.  While we need to understand the big picture, we also need to maintain the appropriate perspective regarding controversial issues.  In other words, let’s keep the level of hysteria to one that’s accurately reflecting the situation at hand.  There’s almost nothing worse than an out-of-control client being guided by an out-of-control counselor, PR or otherwise.  While the following clouds have their fair share of controversy, let’s take a look at the silver lining of each.

Bristol and Levi's engagement theoretically means a silver lining for their son.

1)   The Cluster – Yes, it’s the most catastrophic disaster in decades; yes, it’s painful, if not criminal, to see the countless people being completely displaced by this never-ending series of they said-they said; and yes, people lost their lives for what appears to be a profit motive.  Ironically though,  some Gulf residents who previously spent all day fishing are now cleaning up all day for BP for big bucks, keeping jobless and insurance claims to a minimum.

2) The Betrothed - Brisol and Levi announce their engagement.  As much as the story makes for tabloid fodder, at least their baby will have a father figure in his life.  I’m not saying what kind of father as I’m keeping a forgiving perspective unless given reason otherwise.

3) The Vacationers - In recent weeks, President Obama has been chastised for playing golf on a Saturday and vacationing with his family in Maine as opposed to dealing with the controversy du juor.  Personally, I’d rather have a leader whose mind and body are rested, enabling clearer thinking and decision making that affect the rest of us.

4)  The Publicity Hound – While LeBron James recently became the focus of the world, he and his team get credit for arranging such an ordeal that overshadowed everything else happening on the planet, even if only for a few minutes.  On the upside, his style raised millions for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

5) The Queen of Denial – So Lindsay Lohan is in “obsessive denial” about have to go to jail for repeatedly breaking the law. On the upside, the streets of Los Angeles will probably be safer for the next several weeks.  And by the way, Lindsay, the courts don’t recognize acceptance or denial – they’re funny like that.

Granted, the silver lining is longer in some controversial clouds than others.  What other linings are out there, or am I the hopelessly glass-half-full person?

I’m a recovered glass-half-empty person which means my dose of optimism often can make others growl with disdain.

When I worked for a prison management company, someone reported that a female correctional officer had become romantically involved with an inmate via taped conversations.  With the most deadpan expression on his face, the CEO calmly said “that’s going to hurt her career.”  Heads up, Mel, your lips are fast sinking your ship. Regardless of the authenticity or inadmissibility of the tapes, Mel has done to himself what he allegedly said he’d do to ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva.  Being dropped by your agency doesn’t help his career either.  Mel, get help.  Until then, your performance in the court of public opinion doesn’t even deserve a virtual Cup of Joe.

The virtual Cup of Joe Award from EveryDayPR spotlights our pick of the week for a public relations performance –  good, bad or ugly.  If you’d like to make a nomination, contact shart@hartpr.com or www.Twitter.com/susanhartpr.

While I continue to enjoy and participate in some key blogs, I’ve recently discovered a few others that I think you’ll enjoy as well.

The 26-Hour Day - How I missed Lisa Gerber’s blog, I’ll never know.  Based from her Idaho mountain lifestyle public relations office, Lisa’s take on nearly everything includes a zest for life, a love of nature and a writer of good prose. She has vineyards for clients, for goodness sakes. I love her.

Lisa Gerber offers mountain lifestyle PR services. This includes wine.

Lucid at Random - The name alone rocks.  All-around-communications pro Kim Phillips (she writes, she designs, she crafts, she strategizes, she knits, she runs, etc.) posts some of the most interesting information on her recently launched blog.  From the symbolism of fonts to examples of effective branding, she engages AND informs.

Tricky Waters - Another great blog name, this one from Clay Morgan.  You may remember him as a recent guest blogger on this site.  Clay creatively navigates the nuances of writing with specific how-to suggestions from organizing to specializing.  He should know; he’s a lifelong writer.

Spin Sucks - Everybody who HASN’T heard of this blog from Chicago’s Arment Dietrich, raise their hand.  That’s right – no hands. Also known as The Fight Against Destructive Spin, this hot-off-the-press-updated blog literally demonstrates all things technically new in blogging.  I’m honored to be a guest blogger for Gini and her team.

Second Spot - A new blog just launched by colleague Bob Reed, this is a destination blog that collects and shares your favorite or almost favorite place on earth.  Check it out before you make any travel plans.

What blogs would you recommend?

So Lindsay Lohan is finally called out for breaking the law. Wow. Superior Court Judge Marsha Revel actually held a celebrity accountable for violating the rules of the court.  Assuming the profanity-manicured child completes the 90-day jail sentence, Marsha (I feel that close to the judge) also tacked on substance abuse treatment subsequent to Lohan’s release.  I have only two words to say to Marsha:  THANK YOU!  Here’s three virtual Cups of Joe for restoring some sense of justice to those of us who often question the system, and at the same time, positively serving a public interest.

The virtual Cup of Joe Award from EveryDayPR spotlights our pick of the week for a public relations performance –  good, bad or ugly.  If you’d like to make a nomination, contact shart@hartpr.com or www.Twitter.com/susanhartpr.

QB Trent Edwards of the Buffalo Bills apparently passed an IQ test.

• All quarterbacks drafted into the NFL must take an IQ test to determine the level of intelligence as the pro game requires so much more cognitive ability.
• The success of the Veg-O-Matic was due to several things: the product was the star, the product was completely transparent, and it could be explained in less than two minutes.
• From the 1950s to 1970s, the percentage of women who colored their hair went from 7 to 40 percent.  Thanks, Clairol.
• The commercialization of Mt. Everest has resulted in climbing fees of $70,000 per person.
• To succeed in mountain climbing, you must be exceedingly driven; but if you’re too driven, you’re likely to die.  Thus, the slopes of Mt. Everest are littered with corpses.
• Unlike most all other animals, dogs are students of human behavior.
• An obvious, but often forgotten, point is that what’s clear in hindsight is rarely clear before the fact.
• Following the U.S. bombing of Hiroshima in 1945, the Japanese government did not readily use the word “survivor” for those who lived through the event.  Instead, they were called “he bo cushu”, which means “explosion affected persons”.
• Indicative of the Japanese culture of politeness, a pack of cigarettes in the 1940s had “Let’s be careful not to smoke too much as to affect our health” printed on it.
• Only the middle class and middle-class wannabes seem to fret about which fork to use; working class folks just don’t know; and seriously loaded people just don’t care.
• Being class mobile means you’re rejecting at least some part of your past; otherwise, you would have stayed.
• Being best at something isn’t necessarily how you’re judged in the business world; it’s more important to fit in, get along and play the game.
• The days you thought you were done with are never done with you.

What are you reading this summer?

On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress, starting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation. Okay, that much most of us know.  But what else do we need to know about this most American of holidays?

* More than $135 million is spent on fireworks to celebrate the occasion. Most of the imported fireworks to this country are from China.

* Most of the American flags in this country are imported here from China (I’m starting to see a theme here).

* More than 66 million people fire up their grills to cook hamburgers and hot dogs for July 4.

* Our National Anthem is “The Star Spangled Banner” written by Frances Scott Key to the English drinking song called “To Anacreon in Heaven”.

* Three U.S. Presidents died on the Fourth of July: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe. Bummer.

Happy Fourth of July to all.  Enjoy three virtual Cups of Joe to stay awake for all the festivities.

The virtual Cup of Joe Award from EveryDayPR spotlights our pick of the week for a public relations performance –  good, bad or ugly.  If you’d like to make a nomination, contact shart@hartpr.com or www.Twitter.com/susanhartpr.

While the tools of public relations have evolved over time, the basics of research, planning, implementation and evaluation remain the most effective approach to accomplishing specified goals.  And what if your goal is to be elected President of the United States?  Then you turn to the best, brightest and most successful strategists and public relations thinkers like Barack Obama did for his 2008 presidential campaign. 

Smart Choice was one of several Clinton campaign slogans.

Based on the best-seller book Game Change by political reporters John Heilemann and Mark Halperin, here’s what I believe to be the backbone of success for the Obama campaign:

1)  Research – Know your audience.  Some politicians did (like Clinton’s large female voter base), and some didn’t (John Edwards never did get how his supporters didn’t like any philandering behavior).  From focus groups to ad testing, Obama’s camp got it right.  They tested messages in various formats and presentations before any public unveiling.  Conversely, McCain’s campaign conducted little to no research (which happened to match the amount of budget they had for such a fundamental).  Ads often hit airwaves without the candidate having seen them.  

2)  Planning- It was literally hours before McCain settled on Sarah Palin as the VP selection.  The lack of proper vetting and preparation made what as supposed to be a ”game change” announcement a short-lived bright spot. In addition, the GOP strategy lacked an overall anticipation of issues, key talking points, message consistency and ability to stay on point.  Clinton’s staff, on the other hand, appeared to overly plan, as in changing the campaign’s slogan several times in as many months. 

3)  Implementation – After initial campaign overload by Obama strategists, they adjusted their approach and schedule, which showed the ability, and more importantly the adaptability, to be fluid during this phase.  Both the Clinton and McCain camps seemed to be shooting it from the hip especially as they got closer to the  election. 

4)  Evaluation - My respect for Clinton shot way up after reading the book.  She was the only one quoted as actually having a decent reason to want to be president, and she was fiercely protective of her daughter, which tells me about her character.  However, at the end of the day, Hillary’s biggest liability was Bill, hence the painful delay in conceding to Obama.  McCain, on the other hand, fought the good fight even though he likely knew the outcome of the battle.  I respect the fact that he’s not a quitter.

If you’ve read Game Change, what other fundamentals did you find?  If you haven’t read it, you should.  Ample political poop for all sides  of the aisle.