Raising Cain: Why Herman Cain Is a PR Case Study
Guest post by Daniel J. Cohen
Politics was my first love, but she broke my heart.
As a student of American University from 2002 to 2006, I found politics a bit too vicious for my liking. Attack ads are a cornerstone of political campaigns because dragging your opponent through the mud is a fast way to gallop toward an ever-so-special seat in a fancy delegation or council.
If politicians are all scummy (as many voters believe), the less scummy choice is the way to go.
Going negative often accomplishes the goal of making you the less scummy choice in a way that is faster and far more impressive than positive attempts to build up your reputation ever could be.
So goes the story of the 2012 Presidential primary, a laugh-a-minute ride that has placed at center-ring the oddly likable yet confusing and confused former Godfather’s Pizza CEO Herman Cain.
Filed under Daniel Cohen, Guest Posts, Marketing, Public Relations | Tags: daniel cohen, godfather's pizza, herman cain, origin of brands, reputation management | Comments (3)Apple: A Case Study in Why Brands Should Control Their Stories
It is very rare that social media is used to propel or hurt brands in significant business-altering ways.
There are certainly examples, such as the Toyota acceleration deaths, Nestlé palm oil, the Ford Fiesta movement, or the BP oil spill, where the subject takes on a life of its own for good (or, usually, bad). But these are few and far between; exceptions as opposed to the rule.
But when these events occur, they show the power of social media when harnessed by the people. And brands should prepare for such an eventuality with an integrated public relations/social media strategy.
It is hard to regain control of an often uncontrollable situation if you never had control in the first place.
One brand has benefited for years from this lack of control. Apple.
Filed under Guest Posts, Howie Goldfarb, Public Relations, Social Media | Tags: apple, brand management, controlling your story, managing expectations, reputation management | Comments (24)What Is Your Good Name?
In India, if you meet someone for the first time
you are more than likely to be asked a question that roughly translates to, “What is your good name?”
Despite the merriment this phrase could sometimes induce when we heard it in English – we Indians are a wicked lot, we make fun of almost everyone, including ourselves and our myriad accents – it’s a charming question.
First, because the questioner wants to know what your “real” name is, as opposed to your nickname.
The name your parents bestowed upon you at birth, signifying their hopes and aspirations for you.
Filed under Public Relations, Shonali Burke, Social Media | Tags: julian assange, reputation management, wikileaks | Comments (4)And people want to do you the courtesy of addressing you by that name.
