Comments on: The Art and Foolishness of Tying PR into Tragedy http://communikaytrix.com/2009/08/03/the-art-and-foolishness-of-tying-pr-into-tragedy/ upfront commentary on pr, social media and communications Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:40:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Nancy Pricer http://communikaytrix.com/2009/08/03/the-art-and-foolishness-of-tying-pr-into-tragedy/comment-page-1/#comment-108 Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:47:59 +0000 http://communikaytrix.com/?p=205#comment-108 I work for a university in Texas. When 911 occurred, I was meeting with a media buyer in Fort Worth and my boss called me and told me to come back to campus (which is 65 miles from Fort Worth) to promote our faculty relating to history and politics. I told Lauren via Twitter that I felt “dirty.” That just seemed different. We garnered some coverage, but it was very awkward and it just did not feel right. We would have without me doing the push, but it’s because I had already created the relationships and they knew I could point them to someone who could help with the story.

]]> By: #FollowFriday LAF Style: Top 3 Blog Posts of the Week (According to me) « http://communikaytrix.com/2009/08/03/the-art-and-foolishness-of-tying-pr-into-tragedy/comment-page-1/#comment-107 Fri, 07 Aug 2009 12:23:53 +0000 http://communikaytrix.com/?p=205#comment-107 [...] insightful Rachel Kay rounds out my top 3 for the week. Her blog post on Monday, ‘The Art and Foolishness of Tying PR into Tragedy’ asks the question about a PR trend we are seeing more frequently these days. Many PR folks will use [...]

]]> By: communikaytrix http://communikaytrix.com/2009/08/03/the-art-and-foolishness-of-tying-pr-into-tragedy/comment-page-1/#comment-106 Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:53:06 +0000 http://communikaytrix.com/?p=205#comment-106 Beth – I understand your concerns but I have a feeling those people were exactly the types of people we are rallying against. Adding to a thread is an obvious abuse. There is a difference in providing education than blatantly selling a product or service.

My thoughts are with you and your friends – it’s always difficult when a tragedy strikes so close to those you care about. I understand your anger.

]]> By: Beth Warren http://communikaytrix.com/2009/08/03/the-art-and-foolishness-of-tying-pr-into-tragedy/comment-page-1/#comment-105 Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:46:38 +0000 http://communikaytrix.com/?p=205#comment-105 This past weekend the stage collapsed during a storm at the Big Valley Jamboree in Camrose AB resulting in one death and many injured.
I had many friends at this event and was concerned for their safety.
I was appalled to see several people in the #bvj thread on Twitter attempting to promote their own websites, services and such by abusing the thread.
A couple of these people were professionals that I HAD respected up until they tried to promote themselves by using this tragedy as a platform. *shakes head*
I would never again use the product or service of a company who tried to profit from tragedy.

]]> By: communikaytrix http://communikaytrix.com/2009/08/03/the-art-and-foolishness-of-tying-pr-into-tragedy/comment-page-1/#comment-104 Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:39:05 +0000 http://communikaytrix.com/?p=205#comment-104 Thanks Narciso – you make a great point about educating the PR people about proper approach. It is a tough balancing act and a PR person should be able to provide adequate counsel on the best action to clients before any pitching starts.

]]> By: communikaytrix http://communikaytrix.com/2009/08/03/the-art-and-foolishness-of-tying-pr-into-tragedy/comment-page-1/#comment-103 Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:37:15 +0000 http://communikaytrix.com/?p=205#comment-103 Yes, agree Justin, thanks for chiming in. We are PR people and our jobs are to secure coverage for our clients and too position them as experts. Someone will be sought as the conduit of information in these situations, so if we can make it our own clients, all the better.

]]> By: communikaytrix http://communikaytrix.com/2009/08/03/the-art-and-foolishness-of-tying-pr-into-tragedy/comment-page-1/#comment-102 Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:34:44 +0000 http://communikaytrix.com/?p=205#comment-102 Absolutely Danny – again, being strategic, aligned and appropriate can make all the difference.

]]> By: communikaytrix http://communikaytrix.com/2009/08/03/the-art-and-foolishness-of-tying-pr-into-tragedy/comment-page-1/#comment-101 Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:30:02 +0000 http://communikaytrix.com/?p=205#comment-101 Keith,

Excellent thoughts and we are definitely on the same page. A good PR person will know how to analyze the situation and recommend the best course of action. And with any interview, client preparation is imperative.

Rachel

]]> By: communikaytrix http://communikaytrix.com/2009/08/03/the-art-and-foolishness-of-tying-pr-into-tragedy/comment-page-1/#comment-100 Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:28:08 +0000 http://communikaytrix.com/?p=205#comment-100 Lauren,

Definitely agree – there’s a right and wrong approach to it. But it’s a case-by-case basis.

Rachel

]]> By: Narciso Tovar, Big Noise Communications http://communikaytrix.com/2009/08/03/the-art-and-foolishness-of-tying-pr-into-tragedy/comment-page-1/#comment-99 Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:02:33 +0000 http://communikaytrix.com/?p=205#comment-99 Very touchy subject, yet something that needs to be addressed with every PR professional. If we do something out of sheer desire to get some ink, then we *will* crash-n-burn..and we *will* deserve it. However, if we try to educate and inform audiences, then it’s another matter altogether…but, it’s still a tough balancing act.

I believe, that, like anything else, so long as we coach our clients with the idea that we/they need to make sure that their underlying creed (with any kind of ‘media opportunity’ that involves a tragedy) needs to be built on service and value. If we are not being of service nor providing any value to an audience, then it’s best to walk away.

If not, we run the risk of being looked upon as a snake oil salesman…and, chaces are, we will be just like that.

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