Jan
31
PR firm fights with PR Watch
Filed Under Botched PR jobs, Firms, Internet Public Relations, Naughty Public Relations agencies, Online, Public Relations practice | Leave a Comment
Nice gym accessories from the perpetual kid website.
Via London PR Mark Borkowski, an online catfight/debate/whatever between an ex-journo-turned-PR operator (Swanson Russell PR) and an anti-PR website. Ouch!
Jan
31
One time Oz footy legend Wayne Carey is no stranger to this blog; controversy is his almost constant companion. However, the now largely idle idol’s recent bust-ups with police in Aus and the US has immediately resulted in a loss of two media commentary gigs, useful income and further damage to his somewhat suspect repute. Media pundits are speculating on jail time for Carey; move over Michael Vick, your new bunkmate’s a big lump of an Aussie boy. In hiding, Carey’s said to be drafting a public apology - I hope his legal and PR advisors aren’t the usual bunch of media enablers who’re prepared to let him go thru the motions - someone strong has to tell him straight (Arsenal’s ex-captain Tony Adams, anyone) that his behaviour just isn’t sustainable.
Here’s how Australia’s Herald Sun newspaper summarises Carey’s predicament: Read more
Jan
31
PR disaster newshound Kelle T, reveals that customer service was grounded in Melbourne recently, when Pacific Blue crew members begged, bribed, cajoled and bullied 13 passengers into getting off an aircraft that had to shed 13 bodies. Fortunately, a journalist from The Age newspaper was on board to document this potential PR disaster…via stuff.co.nz Read more
Jan
25
Mini PR disaster over NZ debt advertising
Filed Under Business, Corporates, Marketing Public Relations, PR Disasters | Leave a Comment
A Bond and Bond advertisement urging people to increase New Zealand’s level of personal debt has been ruled socially irresponsible by the Advertising Standards Authority. The flyer offered various “killer deals” with a message saying: “NZ has the 3rd highest level of personal debt, help us get to No. 1.”
Bond and Bond said its advertising campaign featured wording which was “cheeky with an irreverent tone. But the authority upheld the complaint, saying the advertisement was in breach of Basic Principle 4 of the Code of Ethics by not meeting “a due sense of social responsibility”.
Thx to Kate Woodruffe for the tip.
Jan
25
PR Disasters tops 500
Filed Under Blogs, Campaigns, Internet Public Relations, Marketing Public Relations, Online, Public Relations, Services | Leave a Comment
Whether my content has been spartan (geddit!!), gutsy or even bloodthirsty, prdisasters.com has passed the 500 post mark. Thx to all of you in blogland who’ve taken the time to read, post and feedback on the material.
Jan
24
Ambien/Stilnox, Heath Ledger and negative brand endorsement
Filed Under Business, Corporates, PR Disasters, Public Relations | 9 Comments
The tragic death of one of Australia’s best respected young actors, Heath Ledger, has created a form of negative brand endorsement for the sleep-assiting drug Stilnox, manufactured and marketed by French pharmaceutical company Sanofi Aventis.
While many companies shell out milions on celebrity endorsement, the revelations that this product was reportedly identified as being by celebrity Ledger’s bedside when he was found dead, portray the Stilnox brand in a hugely negative light. Confirmed use or not, the mention of the drug in association with the suicide of Ledger creates an immediate PR crisis for the pharmaceutical company. The manufacturer of the drug, Sanofi-Aventis, quite rightly says it is not appropriate (at this stage) to comment on speculation about Ledger’s death.
This isn’t the first time concerns have been raised about Stilnox’s efficacy. Currently, Australian regulatory authorities are considering further restrictions on Stilnox/Ambien - which contain the active compound Zolpidem - and which have been associated with adverse events, including people carrying out compulsive activities, like eating and driving, while asleep. Thx to Yahoo & ABC news for background.
My wishes are with Heath Ledger’s grieving family, friends and associates.
Jan
22
Saab’s ‘green’ Ads mislead buyers says ACCC
Filed Under Business, Campaigns, Corporates, Marketing Public Relations, PR Disasters | 7 Comments
ANOTHER CASE OF AD GREENWASHING…?
From the ACCC Website:
“The ACCC has instituted legal proceedings against GM Holden Ltd, which supplies and markets Saab motor vehicles in Australia and trades as Saab Australia, alleging misleading and deceptive conduct and false representations concerning ‘green’ claims made in the advertising of Saab vehicles.
In a number of ‘[Saab is Green’ newspaper and magazine advertisements in July and August 2007, Saab made various statements including, Grrrrrreen, Every Saab is green, Carbon emissions neutral across the entire Saab range and Switch to carbon neutral motoring to promote the green credentials of its motor vehicles. The ACCC considers that the advertisements were misleading and that Saab has breached sections 52 and 53(c) of the Trade Practices Act 1974.
Lookout 6 February 2008 when the case is being heard in the Federal Court, Perth.
Jan
17
2007 PR Disaster winners announced
Filed Under Blogs, Botched PR jobs, Media, PR Disasters, Public Relations | 10 Comments
News Information
17 January 2008
2007 PR DISASTERS AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED
PR watchdog and blogsite www.prdisasters.com has announced the results of its annual 2007 PR Disaster Awards.
The winner is former Australian Liberal Minister Jackie Kelly, for her ludicrous defence of a racist and fake election leaflet, which tried to discredit the Labor party.
The full list of the year’s most negative PR disasters identified by bloggers, the media and PR and reputation management expert, Gerry McCusker, reads as follows:
1 Jackie Kelly – comments over the racist and bogus election leaflet
2 Ribena – its Vitamin C claims were disproved by two NZ schoolkids
3 Heather Mills McCartney – her interview meltdown on a UK TV show
4 WorkChoices – the policy said to have caused the Liberals’ election defeat
5 Whole Foods – a fake blog praising its CEO, outed as being covertly written by the same CEO
6 Visy Industries/Dick Pratt – fined over a major price-fixing cartel scandal
7 Ben Cousins – the AFL football player’s publicised spiral into drug addiction
8 FEMA – the US government department had staff pose as fake reporters at a poorly-attended press event
9 APEC/Chaser – An Aussie TV show The Chaser infiltrated international security posing as a Canadian motorcade transporting a fake Osama bin Laden
10 USA’s Cartoon Network – put fake, blinking ‘bombs’ on bridges to promote a show
As defined in my business book ‘Public Relations Disasters’, a PR disaster is an incident that catalyses sustained negative media coverage for an individual or organization, and which subsequently damages personal or professional reputation.
Ends
Further information and interviews:
PR analyst and author Gerry McCusker
Email: gerry@prdisasters.com
Note to editors: ‘Public Relations Disasters: Talespin’ is now available in paperback by Kogan Page, 2006. Media review copies are available from the author (contact above) on request.