Comments on: Bristol’s First Crisis Communication Challenge

By: Abi Leyva

Abi Leyva — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 23:30:13 +0000

I am offended as marketing/public relations post- graduate with 5 years of field experience in event planning, research analyzing, crisis communication, investor relations, tradeshows, and consumer relations. It’s so hard to image how someone without so much as press release experience can call themselves a Public Relations Professional.

My challenge has been to clear a path for myself where there was none, leading the way for my siblings and other family members. Bristol Palin cannot be the seen as a “young entrepreneur taking on the world,” I am sorry but she has not done the work. And she continues to show no serious interest or understanding as she lets others control the media coverage her agency has accumulated. All I hope is that she has equipped herself with professionals she can learn from and will continue to search for creditable education and practice in the field.

By: Julie Wright

Julie Wright — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 18:09:03 +0000

Hi Rachel. Bristol Palin’s first client is an abstinence foundation. In the area of teenage sex and its consequences, she’s clearly very qualified as a spokesperson and poster child. She’s also no doubt able to open some doors thanks to her fame and her mother’s. I can see why she’d leverage these life experiences.

However, instead of starting a business, she would be better off focusing on completing a university education and qualifying herself for something more in life. The abstinence gig only works while she’s young. And it’s not just a matter of opening doors; it’s what you can accomplish once you’re in the room that counts in the long run.

By: David Reich

David Reich — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 00:01:08 +0000

I’d say it’s just a tax move. She’ll be using her high profile to be a public face for some organizations, and she’ll be paid for it. That’s about it.

To say she’ll be doing any sort of public relations is laughable. But “laughable” fits in with much that her family does.

By: Angela

Angela — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 23:40:56 +0000

I will play devil’s advocate. First of all, I agree it is insulting for someone to assume that a PR agency is an easy company to start. However, I will add that anyone “living” a presidential campaign from the inside would have some real life PR experience to add. With that said, I truly hope if the company is legit that she plans to hire some experienced (in a traditional sense) employees. I would not want to be one of those employees though. If I ever chose to go back to work for someone else I would want to learn FROM them not guide them. If I’m going to guide I chose to guide myself and keep the profits.

By: communikaytrix

communikaytrix — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 22:38:33 +0000

Stacey,

Thanks for commenting. Yes, she should have had a plan in place and she has enough experience with the press to anticipate the response and be ready for it. It’ll be interesting to see if we hear anything moving forward.

Rachel

By: communikaytrix

communikaytrix — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 22:37:07 +0000

Dave- I can always count on you for the fun (yet often true) commentary! Thank you!

Rachel

By: communikaytrix

communikaytrix — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 22:36:23 +0000

Kristie,

Thanks so much for your thoughts. Agreed it’s always a challenge to communicate the breadth of what a true practitioner is responsible for. Having gone through the APR process I’m sure you have that understanding and expertise more than most. At the end of the day, clients will be able to see the difference (thank goodness!)

Rachel

By: Kristie Aylett, APR

Kristie Aylett, APR — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 19:31:37 +0000

Rachel,
Your post is thought-provoking (as usual) but I had to to comment when I read one of your replies to a comment:
“It’s important to realize that PR isn’t just dialing up the LA Times and asking for a story. It’s about an overarching plan to reach targeted influencers through a number of well-thought out tactics. It’s about research. It’s about messaging structure etc…”

I wish more people understood the deeper definition of public relations that goes well beyond publicity, including some who call themselves PR professionals. I am glad you get it, practice it and preach it. Keep up the good work.

By: communikaytrix

communikaytrix — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 18:01:24 +0000

Yolando,

Thanks so much for your thoughts. I intended the post to focus on her PR strategy in response to the naysayers, which, if she really has become a PR practitioner, is very unconventional so far (not answering any questions and having her lawyer comment for her).

I didn’t choose to focus my post on whether or not she should own a PR firm, but I will respond to your points. Respectfully, she did not pursue or secure this coverage for herself. She has done nothing to control or influence the messaging that’s been put out there. The coverage came solely because she is the daughter of a highly talked about political figure. I struggle with patting her on the back for a great PR success when she hasn’t actually done anything.

In all fairness, I don’t think people are questioning anyone who takes on the challenge of becoming an entrepreneur. I think people are concerned that she does not have the demonstrated success or experience to counsel organizations and companies on a communication strategy. It’s important to realize that PR isn’t just dialing up the LA Times and asking for a story. It’s about an overarching plan to reach targeted influencers through a number of well-thought out tactics. It’s about research. It’s about messaging structure etc… I’m confident that Bristol Palin has not PRACTICED PR, and simply being in the news because your mother ran for office does not make one qualified to own a PR firm.

An adult approach if she really wants to get into PR would be to go to college and study communication, marketing or similar discipline. Then I’d recommend starting at a reputable PR agency as an intern and working her way up and learning from senior level practitioners.
Our trade, unfortunately, is not one you can just decide to do with no hand’s on learning.

Thanks again for commenting!

Rachel

By: Dave Van de Walle

Dave Van de Walle — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 17:52:58 +0000

I think she DOES have a strategic plan, and it goes something like this:

1 – Announce that you’re in business as a PR professional
2 – Get PR professionals to use your announcement to say that you/your firm discredits their profession
3 – Let the profession define itself without you in the dialogue, saying that your definition of PR is different than what it really is
4 – Jump into the fray after some time has elapsed and say “by PR I meant ‘event management, like holding glamorama fests at swanky clubs and selling vodka and getting @aplusk to show up’”
5 – Get clients from among those who think “Sarah Palin’s daughter can help us create buzz.”

Maybe she’s a little bit smarter than we think.