A couple of ways to answer this.
Simple way:
If I am spinning the truth, then I am lying. PR is not lying.
Reality way:
We help clients guide their way so they can tell the truth. When people ask us, "Can you spin this for us?" it tells me that they have something to hide. If a client has a skeleton in his closet, people will find them; media will find them; customers will find them. We want clients to expose things and be real about them because the truth hurts.
Re: Professional PR Firm
TelecomFreq
6/19/2012 4:16:57 PM
Michael,
So, if in PR you are only helping your clients communicate the truth the best way they can, wouldnt that be considered spin?
Maybe I am thinking of spin in a different context, am I off base here?
Re: Re : Our Portfolios' Sorry States of Affairs
Michael Shmarak
6/19/2012 3:41:24 PM
@Value Hiker, I would invite you to look up this company online and on Twitter and look at their trends. Then tell me that humor hasn't made a difference. It takes a very bold company to make fun of itself the right way. These guys get it.
Can I get an AMEN from the choir?
"AMEN!"
Being a part of a PR firm, I am always on the lookout for good clients, but I will NEVER spin things, nor will any of my colleagues.
We PR counselors tell the truth more often than you think. What we do is help clients think about their communications before they implement them. Makes a world of difference.
After all, our reputation is at stake just as much as our clients, no?
Re: Re : Our Portfolios' Sorry States of Affairs
Michael Shmarak
6/19/2012 3:36:48 PM
Hi there.
The point that I was hoping would also be apparent has NOTHING to do with social media. It has EVERYTHING to do with ethics.
Social media is a tactic. Being in the PR business, I am so amazed at how many people think social media fixes things; it merely facilitates. At the end of the day, we need to think about the decisions that are being made about what we say, how we say and where we say it.
Where these apologies succeed or fail has to do with the CHOICE that each company made before they got to this point. People don't think about the ramifications of their words. On the flip side, people will scrutinize their investments beyond the purchase and think about where it fits in their portfolio.
THAT is a sorry state of affairs.
Re: Re : Our Portfolios' Sorry States of Affairs
TelecomFreq
6/19/2012 1:25:36 PM
I think a lot of companies are seeing social media as a space they need to be in to stay relivent, some are doing it the right way, but many are not.
Re: Re : Our Portfolios' Sorry States of Affairs
Value Hiker
6/19/2012 12:29:58 PM
If the company doesn't want to keep (maybe win more) customers, I don't know why the company want to spend money and time on the social media in the first palce.
Re: Professional PR Firm
TelecomFreq
6/19/2012 10:58:59 AM
I think that having a PR pro on board to take care of spin is always a good idea. Its all too often we say something then think DOH! what did I just say, that is supposed to be what PR people take care of.
Professional PR Firm
ProfR
6/19/2012 8:16:02 AM
This also points out why many businesses use professional PR firms. It is very difficult to get your point across in the best light - especially if the news is bad. Having a professional help here may be the key to getting the message right.
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