Death of a Showman
The obit pages have a habit of breakoing bad news. This morning obit pages recounts the colourful life of Evan Steadman. He was one of my all time favourite clients who actually got what I do and loved the process of great promotional publicity In 1993 Steadman employed ne to publize his stage concept “Maxwell: […]
This is Spin
I am often asked to explain how a spin doctor operates. I think this tale illustrates the craft. Judy Wallman, a professional genealogical researcher, discovered that Hillary Clinton’s great-great uncle, Remus Rodham, was hanged for horse stealing and train robbery in Montana in 1889. The only known photograph of Remus shows him standing on the […]
Buried in a Pringles crisp can
I have often considered my final PR scam. Today there is news of an absolute blinder from the creative mind of the design genius Fredric J Baur. The news on the wires suggests that the man who designed the Pringles crisp packaging was so proud of his accomplishment that he decided that a portion of […]
Seth Rogen weed smoking scam
Another tired yet effective MTV publicity stunt appeared at the tired and lifeless MTV awards. Shock, horror! The hip Canadian actor, comedian and writer Seth Rogen was supposedly smoking a joint live on TV. But who watches the MTV Awards anymore, so who cares? It was an ambiguous moment but enough for the hapless channel, […]
Evolta publicity stunt
Good on the PR company that staged this Robot stunt to promote the virtues of the new Evolta battery. Evidently the EVOLTA-powered robot climbed a 1,500-ft. Grand Canyon cliff last Saturday. The 4.5-ounce, 6.7-inch robot climber was scaling the cliff as a publicity stunt/demonstration for the Panasonic EVOLTA battery, which according to the Guinness Book […]
Death of a Showman
The obit pages have a habit of breakoing bad news. This morning obit pages recounts the colourful life of Evan Steadman. He was one of my all time favourite clients who actually got what I do and loved the process of great promotional publicity In 1993 Steadman employed ne to publize his stage concept “Maxwell: […]
Sharon Stone's bad karma
Sharon Stone the star of Basic Instinct and Casino was forced into a humiliating public apology after she suggested that China’s “bad karma” over unrest in Tibet was linked to the disaster When celebrities’ words blow up in their faces, the key to defusing a row is “speed of reaction, in as few words as […]
Bill Gates gaffe
Bloody hell, why hasn’t this been picked up? Talk about PR gaffes, listen to this soundbite from Bill Gates. I hear that the uber uber fromage, Bill Gates unintentionally made an uproarious comment at the Wall Street Journal’s All Things Digital conference. On the first night’s show-opening discussion, Billy boy declared – wait for it […]
Editorial Intelligence
I received my old friend Julia Hobsbawn’s Editorial Intelligence report called The Power of The Commentariat. It features research which involved a self selecting small group of individuals from business, media, politics, public life, academia and a group set up by Editorial Intelligence on Facebook called Keep Up With The Commentariat to say who they […]
Old British frats myopic whinge at Eurovision defeats ..
I can’t believe the furore over the Eurovision song contest results and the ensuing curmudgeonly comments from the British public and Terry Wogan himself. I have not seen such myopia, xenophobia and dare I say racism emanating from an event that should advocate friendly global relations. To say that the Eastern block states all voted […]
Hello and the Royal Wedding buy up.
Mark Phillips and Autumn Kelly’s decision to sell their story and wedding exclusive to Hello! magazine has caused such a level of furore that nearly every paper has had something to say on the matter. The wedding exclusive agreement with Hello! was on the understanding that no senior member of the Royal Family would be […]
Yet another Britney publicity scam..
A new Britney Spears sex tape is set to be released. Obviously she needs the coverage! I find it hard to beleive she is she so desperate to allow it to be released. The footage allegedly features Britney, 26, stripping off naked apart from a pink wig, and romping with ex-boyfriend Adnan Ghalib. The paparazzi […]
Get it together Gordon
Since the whole 10p tax band withdrawal and the local elections fall out, Labour truly is in the unenviable position that most parties at the end of their term find themselves in. Gordon Brown is a man ill at ease with the modern process of PR and engaging with the media cycle. He is not […]
Media Aphrodisiacs
A huge and gloomy list, outing PR spammers http://prspammers.pbwiki.com/ I am told that this wake was put together by Gina Trapani, editor of Lifehacker.com, but somehow I don’t think this will stem the flow. Trust me, idiots who take the corporate buck will always attempt to push their luck, sometimes with disastrous ends. Beware, as […]
Sarcastic .. me .. never
Its seems that a lot of people missed the point of my blog on Media Guardian.. http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/organgrinder/2008/05/the_textbook_definition_of_goo.html
Hello! magazine celebrates its 20th birthday
My ramblings about Hello found their way into today’s Independent feature about the magazine http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/hello-magazine-celebrates-its-20th-birthday-824252.html
Brain food and Derren Brown
I smell an ambitious new brand, hungry for attention – step forward FpsBrain. A number of blogs have noticed with a mix of amusement and depression that this brand will do anything to get noticed. Great stunts should never be seen and the slight of hand is crucial when trying to use this form of […]
Shafta's 2008
Had great fun last night at the SHAFTAs http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/may/07/dailystar.dailystarsunday?gusrc=rss&feed=media . What a night!
Artist to sell £14,040 of drugs in Glasgow Gallery
I have just been sent this release about a solo show by artist activists the “Vacuum Cleaner”. The group plans to sell £14,040 of Coke, Heroin and Hash as part of a gallery show. What a wonderful idea. Contemporary art is reaching new heights, mixing a PR stunt with art. Is it a wind up? […]
Hilary Clinton's PR team land a killer blow.
On the eve of the crucial primaries this weekend in North Carolina and Indiana, Hilary Clinton’s PR team landed a killer blow. Hillary appeared via satellite on the late Show with David Letterman where he showed her funny funky side. The comic hook was that she read the shows infamous top ten list. The list […]