Friday, January 04, 2008

Afternoon Edition - 1/4/08

The PR Machine
Anyone who works in public relations or experienced the need for public relations professionals knows that a person’s image is as important as their message. How the public perceives an artist or a politician can sway sales, votes and a person’s livelihood. That said, we’ve seen what can happen when someone who should only speak when advised by a public relations professional takes a stab at it on their own. There was the infamous Whitney Houston call to Wendy Williams – a half-baked NY radio shock-jock who revels in her ability to paint any picture just as she wants her listeners to see it – by the end of that unsolicited radio interview Whitney Houston had stooped to physically threatening a D-list radio personality and Williams uses the tirade in her promos to this day; instant credibility to Williams; severely damaging to Houston’s image. This isn’t to say that being a hot-head or foul-mouth thug can’t be good PR. As many a rapper will attest, catching-a-case is the equivalent of positive street-cred; a badge to be worn with pride; you’re real, raw and hard. As someone who worked in the PR field for over 12 years, I would argue that it does NOT sell more records, make you sexier or encourage viewership by the masses, to announce that as a male artist you were sodomized by your manager. It isn’t attractive to mention that your “ass hurt,” from the abusive anal sex. Female fans do not flock to your next project because you can point out that you “got fucked,” while in your boy band. Unless Raz-B intended to NEVER work again and simply damage the reputation of his ex manager and cousin, Chris Stokes, it would be counterintuitive to utter those allegations or cosign his brother’s assertions. From the look of things, Raz has (or had, in light of the recent theatrics) a deal to do a reality show. I’m sure the producers of that show can think of a million other marketing ideas than, “Hey, wouldn’t it really make folks want to watch our project if you were sexually abused when you were 12?!” As I look at and listen to comments that regard the allegations of the Thorton men being a “cry for attention,” or a ploy to garner viewership for their new show, I think, ‘Wow, maybe folks are that dumb.” Most artists, sports figures, politicians and corporate heads have image consultants and spokespeople; PR professionals paid to protect an image and a brand. Barack Obama is not just a talking head and the rough-edges of the rapper, The Game, aren’t coincidental thugishness. Those personas are carefully crafted to maximize the potential for the best possible image and continued financial success. So, if you believe that Raz and his big brother just wanted a little attention by alleging they were raped and/or sodomized, it’s probably the reason you’re paid to work in a profession outside of public relations.

On Blast
Tell of a glaring example of what you considered poor public relations; where no amount of damage control could fix the public figure’s image.

Keep passin’ the open windows…

13 comments:

fuzzy said...

The Kramer comment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgmCBKPHnSY

Anonymous said...

I seriously doubt that Raz B has any proper representation ... or else he wouldn't have been seen out with his alleged abuser partying it up just recently proclaiming how much they love each other. It would be one thing if this were a popular dude we were dealing with - his groupmate Omarian for example - but that is not the case. I worked as a media professional for years, and people DO lie about such things. Happens every day. It may not bring you positive attention, but it's attention nonetheless. Prior to this - even with him appearing on Noah's Arc - when has Raz B gotten this much media attention? Like I said you were dead on with your musings on pedophiles but I still think dude is not telling the truth, and if there is some truth to this we aren't getting the whole story. Something's fishy about it. I know people who are victims of abuse and the last thing they'd be doing is going out to dinner with somebody who did the things he claims.

Unknown said...

Or maybe it's a poor attempt at a clean-up...damage control at its worst...
We have heard of Stockholm Syndrome?

Unknown said...

Stockholm syndrome is a psychological response sometimes seen in an abducted hostage, in which the hostage shows signs of loyalty to the hostage-taker, regardless of the danger (or at least risk) in which the hostage has been placed. Stockholm syndrome is also sometimes discussed in reference to other situations with similar tensions, such as battered person syndrome, rape cases, child abuse cases and bride kidnapping. The syndrome is named after the Norrmalmstorg robbery of Kreditbanken at Norrmalmstorg, Stockholm, Sweden, in which the bank robbers held bank employees hostage from August 23 to August 28 in 1973. In this case, the victims became emotionally attached to their victimizers, and even defended their captors after they were freed from their six-day ordeal. The term Stockholm Syndrome was coined by the criminologist and psychiatrist Nils Bejerot, who assisted the police during the robbery, and referred to the syndrome in a news broadcast.

Anonymous said...

well this is AMERICA asscakes.

Unknown said...

ROFL! Thanks Anonymous (5:29pm) I needed that laugh!!
The Stockholm Syndrome has as much to do with Stockholm as french fries has to do with a potato made in France...now your comments make sense. Oh Rose...better to say nothing and be thought a fool, than to speak and confirm it.

Chet said...

One thing for certain and two things for sure: all publicity isn't good publicity.

Anonymous said...

well, now that I can respond I will say this. ITS ALL GROSS.
Anyone who buys their music or watches their show, including the music of R. Kelly, is part of the problem and not the solution. The longer people support this type of behavior, the bigger the problem will become AND more widespread at that.
PEEP the video or Raz B and Chris Stokes leaving Mr. Chows in Beverly Hills. They all need to have their collective asses to be hurt AGAIN. By getting them kicked by all of the people out there who are now suffering as adults as a result of being sexually violated as children.
TAKE A STAND PEOPLE!

Cas608

j_shanlin said...

hey papi!! how r ya? ummm in regards to your pr question.. britney spears anyone? she has yet to recover from her 07 scandals

Unknown said...

Awwwwwwww J!!!!
Boy I was so worried about you!
I'm so glad to see you on and hope everything has been great for you. You have to keep in touch and catch me up on all the wonderful things that have been going on!
Happy new year papito!

iii said...

Hey Cocoa,

I did not know that Raz has (had) a reality show coming out soon? uummm?? If So, I wonder what the title of the show would be called..

Unknown said...

Pokey-Man...LOL

yet another black guy said...

boy you went there on this one and i love you for it! it's amazing how people are so quick to blame a victim in rape/molestation cases. i hate that with a passion.

M. Jackson paid that kid millions back in the 90's to "just go away". who pays somebody money for that?! i put foot in ass!!