Blame Game going Bad.
Branding an identity from crisis. How to avoid an industry stigma and remain positive.
How many times have you heard of the company Cameron International? What about Transocean? I’m a huge animal lover and I drive an SUV to carry them around to the park, vet or even on a road trip. So now that the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is reaching the shores and affecting wildlife preserves I’m getting really anxious. When I go online and read more and more about it I only hear about one company: BP. British Petroleum, a worldwide oil conglomerate, that sells you gas, explores for oil and finally drills. Or do they?
I’ve heard of BP plenty of times. They’ve had cute commercials in years past, a colorful logo and they’re huge in Southern California (where I’m from). Cameron International and Transocean are new to me. Are they new to you? Certainly I’m not an oil expert. But the multi-billion dollar industry is not as simple as it looks. BP and others like it, contract out to local companies that specialize in certain jobs. They hire one company for exploration to find new oil reserves. They then hire another company to drill the oil. Then another to send it to shore and of course it continues on from there.
Transocean is the operator and owner of the rig responsible for the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. (http://deepwater.com)
Transocean is responsible for the oil extraction. They are the technical owners of the rig and they operate it themselves. BP hired Transocean for their services and most importantly, their expertise. Cameron International is responsible for the equipment Transocean uses. Most importantly they manufacture the safeguard device meant to plug an oil drilling hole in the event of an emergency. Obviously between the two companies something went wrong. Oil is washing ashore and threatening delicate wildlife and damaging the fishing industry already. Millions of dollars in damages are poised to skyrocket. Ultimately, who is responsible for this mess?
Cameron International manufactures devices for oil drilling meant to cap oil spills before they happen. (http://c-a-m.com/)
There are a ton of people who are anti-oil and blame companies like BP. Well BP has already stepped forward. They’ve accepted blame and have dedicated a full clean-up and restoration team. It’s only expected because the technical clean-up of any oil spill is responsible to companies like BP. But the cause of the oil spill does not belong necessarily to BP. Lawyers will soon be able to analyze data and conclude who is to blame for the oil spilling in the first place. The real loser either way is BP and the oil industry as a whole.
BP has taken the right course: they’re accepting blame in it’s entirety. For their reputation, it’s best to be seen as humble, apologetic and committed to righting it’s wrongs. But what about the industry? What about these two companies who are most likely to be blamed for the spill in the first place? Media strategies offers businesses the unique ability to engage the public and media en masse and form the story from their perspective. While no official investigation has made any official findings public, it’s possible to see the BP media machine charge after their contract workers.
Avoiding any stigma is very difficult and it does not happen overnight. What is possible is to avoid the stigma for yourself and place it squarely on another entity. Managing crises is very sticky business. It too, does not happen overnight. But what do you do? Try making information easy to read and easy to understand. Make sure it explains your perspective and make sure that you separate yourself from those you are not wanting to be associated with. Sounds easy but the key is making that information easy.
I’m not a big fan of animals being harmed because of a careless corporation. But in the game of industry stigmas it’s always best to be honest and forthcoming – whether you’re the one to blame or not. You have a voice and it’s in times like these that you have to use it. If you don’t then you are more likely to be used as a scapegoat. And that’s not any fun.
I hope you all have a great Monday! Looking forward to the weekend already! See you back on Wednesday!
Tell a Friend,
TZ
Tony Zazza, a 15-year media, marketing and advertising expert, is the Principal of Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Texas Marketing Firm, that specializes in growing small to medium sized businesses to their fullest potential.
Your Breasts are Causing Earthquakes: REPORT
BOOBQUAKE : Media relations is and never will be a science. Finding subtle and direct ways to promote your brand through media relations is more powerful than advertising alone.
It’s not really a scientific fact YET. According to the prominent Iranian cleric Kazem Sedighi, women’s immodesty has cause the increase of worldwide earthquakes. While this may be debated for hours and become heated very quickly I seriously doubt many people new to online media could see this coming: BOOBQUAKE.
If there’s a sole reason for the internet to exist it’s to at least provide a little slice of humor and satire. Now we have a new source of entertainment in the form of Boobquake. What is Boobquake? It’s a Facebook event today (Monday, 26th) aimed at testing cleric Sedighi’s claim scientifically. It calls on women worldwide to wear their most revealing top – all in the name of science. So far I’m liking it.
What is also not really a scientific fact YET is the impact media relations has compared to traditional advertising. Imagine you’re the cleric in Iran who greatly opposes women showing cleavage. You’ve just been hit with Boobquake. What do you do? What do you want?
Sarah Bernhardt, one of the world’s first acting superstars (1844-1923), traveled the world with her racy performances. Before she could arrive in Chicago on her tour, a Chicago bishop delivered a very critical and harsh speech against Bernhardt. That speech received a great amount of press coverage. What did Bernhardt do? She sent him a $200 check.
Why?
The note attached with the check stated:
“I am accustomed, when I bring an attraction to your town, to spend $400 on advertising. As you have done half teh advertising fo rme, I enclose $200 for your parish.”
For Bernhardt, the value was about $200. The story and the coverage was priceless. How would you value others talking about you publicly?
It’s not a science but it is also not illusionary. There’s sound logic behind your brand and message sprawling across the news, blogs and social networks. Just as you want people scrambling to buy you also want them scrambling to learn more about you. Advertising does not build demand. Advertising entices the unsure. Media relations increases demand to incrementally. It cannot repeat itself like advertising can. Media relations is capable of building on itself unlike advertising.
I have mentioned before – bad reviews scare people away. Word of mouth can kill a business. Media relations is similar to reviews from prestigious sources. When the dedicated health reporter on your local news mentions red wine, in moderation, can benefit your heart you take that advice more seriously. If it was a buck-toothed mechanic telling you that you might ignore it. It’s not a science, but media relations has long-term potential that builds demand. Advertising only entices a certain amount of people for a short period of time.
In the meantime – Boobquake! I hope you all have a great start to your week – I’ll see you again on Wednesday!
Tell a Friend,
TZ
Tony Zazza, a 15-year media, marketing and advertising expert, is the Principal of Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Texas Marketing Firm, that specializes in growing small to medium sized businesses to their fullest potential.
The BIG Idol Gaffe Off-Air (Disturbing)
America's Oldest Media Strategy involves drama, press releases and celebrity. Lessons to learn from publicity stunts.
First I apologize to anyone cringing at a potential American Idol post. There’s a real story here and a lesson, I promise. Let’s all take it back to that tumultuous relationship between Simon Cowell and Ryan Seacrest. This season has been notably more confrontational. Seacrest has been almost adversarial and taking the spotlight as much as possible.
With the impending departure of Cowell, the show might tank. It’s a very strong possibility that Idol’s days after this season are numbered. It’s been one of the largest phenomenons since 2000 and has consistently produced revenue and advertising dollars. It’s a true goliath of many entertainment mediums and when Idol signs off for the last time there will be many people left to figure something else out. Especially Seacrest.
When Paula Abdul was confirmed out, Seacrest signed a 3-year $15 million contract. This is year one of that contract and what do you think happens if the show is cancelled before his contract is up? Here’s a hint: $15 million over three years makes about $5 million a year. That may not be a lot for Seacrest overall but for people like you and me – that’s a LOT!
So imagine Ryan Seacrest, host and contestant friend, releases a statement about one of the most beloved contestants: Crystal Bowersox. The statement was very concerning for any true fan. Bowersox, desperate to return home to see her son and family, is convinced to stay on the show by Seacrest. He tells her of how he was able to buy his mother a home and that Bowersox will be able to do the same if she just stays. Very compelling, very dramatic and an ENTIRE LIE.
Bowersox is a mother to a young child and while she misses being able to play with him as much as before she is thrilled at this opportunity to provide for him. It turns out that Bowersox’s good friend and former contestant texted her about the release from Seacrest. Bowersox’s reply? “It’s not true … betrayed by Seacrest!”
What a ploy! In fear of the show tanking it’s host begins shelling out sensationalism outside of the show. Ratings are slumping, a key figure of the show is leaving and money is at stake. Would you really think he couldn’t do something like this?
The truth is that no matter what size you are or on what scale you need to reach people everyone needs a good media relations strategy. For Seacrest, it’s very easy to get into trouble as well. Considering that many feel this season’s hopefuls lack distinct personality like last year’s Adam Lambert, why not stir something up with what ya got?
It’s not something I recommend lightly. Drama in the press is good because it brings exposure. The bad thing is that depending with your business you could create a disastrous brand for yourself. Focus on what interesting facts are of interest to the public, news and gain the most exposure. That’s where the money’s at.
Until TGIF!! Take care!
Tell a Friend,
TZ
Tony Zazza, a 15-year media, marketing and advertising expert, is the Principal of Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Texas Marketing Firm, that specializes in growing small to medium sized businesses to their fullest potential.
