PR Gets New Respect with Big Three's Washington Debacle

I get no respect. Well, actually I do but I needed an entree for this post. The public relations field often takes a hit on the importance of its role in the boardroom. Further, whether earned or not, PR people often get a bad rap in certain circles. Today, however, I have read in blogs and traditional print that the Detroit 3's PR stinks. Translation: Do they know what PR is and how to use it? "Where were their PR people?!!" scream irate viewers of the media debacle that unfolded this week in D.C. "Who were their advisors?!!" bemoan others.

The automotive CEOs didn't appear to have a plan for their Washington visit. If you don't have a plan for how to present your request for a huge sum of money, it does not build confidence that you have a plan for how to spend it. Like my new-found friends, the PR advocates noted above, I do question if anyone is advising them. While it sounds absurd to think not, I recall Cerberus getting rid of its PR function after its purchase of Chrysler, LLC. Their thought process appeared to be: "We are not publicly-traded anymore so we don't need to communicate with outside parties." News flash: every company needs to communicate with outside parties, albeit at different levels and with different tools.

In considering the Big 3 execs' actions this week, any decent PR person would have advised against taking a corporate jet, just for starters. It's only a ten hour drive from Detroit. They could have caravaned in their fuel efficient and/or good looking cars (not SUV's)like the Ford Focus, Lincoln MKZ or Chevy Malibu (which should have been designed for the Cadillac line because it's such a looker). Included in the caravan, which would have made for great TV, radio, video, you tubing and print photos, could be "real" employees, not only those who make $21 million a year.

A good PR person would have prepped the execs for all the worst case scenario questions. They would have encouraged warmth but would have strongly advised against the front page photo that appeared recently in the Detroit newspapers, and perhaps national ones, too, that showed all the executives sitting around the table in DC with Nancy Pelosi and other politicos GRINNING for the camera. Don't smile guys. You're not happy. Remember?

Adventures in Dentistry

As a PR person I tend to shun publicity, preferring to focus attention on my clients and their impressive accomplishments. That being said, I realize I rarely mention clients in my blog. So please allow for a commercial break as I introduce two of the best dentists in Michigan (the country?): Kurt Doolin and Jeff Haddad.

I first met Kurt Doolin in the spring of 2001 when I was hired to promote his new dental office in downtown Rochester. Kurt has a special place in my heart not only for being such a skilled dentist and all around good guy, but for taking a chance on me and continuing to retain my services without a break throughout 9/11 and the economic halt that ensued immediately thereafter. In 2004, Jeff Haddad joined the practice and Kurt and Jeff became the dynamic duo of dentistry, enhancing their skills and their practice, now called Rochester Advanced Dentistry,and having far too much fun in the process.

So why the walk down memory lane? Yesterday, Jeff Haddad received the "Young Professional of the Year" award by the Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce and was feted, along with winners of various other community awards, among a crowd of nearly 500. A richly deserved honor, Jeff was recognized for being a top notch dentist, of course, but also for the tremendous generosity the practice has shown towards the Rochester community. Kudos to Jeff and Kurt and their entire team!

P.S. If Kurt had a fake ID, he and Jeff would have been co-winners.

"Save Darfur" is Challenging Pitch

In the PR world, some pitches are easy and some are difficult. PR pitches for discounted designer purses: easy. Pitches for virtual colonoscopy: difficult. (Well, at least it was in 2002, although I did ultimately land a front page story - with photo- in the Detroit Free Press.) Charitable efforts and events are typically easier pitches. After all, who doesn't want to help cure childhood cancers, be considered a patron of the arts or shelter and feed the homeless? There are exceptions,though. Save Darfur? Difficult pitch. Too far away, no personal connection, too many domestic issues in the United States that need our attention, emotion and dollars. Besides, doesn't the United Nations handle tough issues like that?

Carrie Hall,who may actually be an angel but is also a photographer in metro-Detroit, invited me to a Save Darfur cocktail party last weekend at the Rochester home of her friends Catherine and Gar. There were minimal details on the invitation so of course I fretted over what to wear. I didn't want to appear insensitive and over-dress. ( Was it black tie?? I knew the home was in a lovely neighborhood.) I opted for jeans with a black leather jacket so I could have a clothing defense statement prepared. "Black tie? Oh, I thought it was black jacket!" Thankfully, I knew enough to bring my checkbook because I immediately spotted a silent auction table to my left when I entered. Carrie served as first hostess and immediately greeted guests with the announcement that Jacob Atem, one of the famed "Lost Boys of the Sudan" was on his way to the party but, alas, was lost. (Apparently, the Sudan is no match for northern Oakland County, directionally speaking.) Oh my gosh, I'll admit I did a little bit of homework on Darfur to refresh my memory on the causes of the genocide there, but I immediately recognized the "Lost Boys" reference. Why weren't there 100 people at this party with such an honored guest and a humanitarian cause? Catherine said that 80 had been invited but my guess is the number of attendees was close to 20 (albeit 20 of the nicest people you'd ever want to meet). As I said, Save Darfur: difficult pitch.

It shouldn't be, though. Catherine graciously said that economic times are tough and she understood the absences. While $2000 was raised at the event, one could have not spent a dime and still made an investment in Saving Darfur. The greatest contribution one can make is free: raise awareness about the atrocities in Darfur (so far, 2.5 millions people have fled Darfur and are living in displacement camps and 450,000 are dead; hundreds of thousands of women and children are being raped;) write a letter to the editor; write your congress person; talk to your children; visit www.michigandarfurcoalition.org, a website run by Michigan's leading grassroots Save Darfur citizens, Dr. Tim Page and his wife Jill. Do anything, but do something to Save Darfur.

A Salute to the PGA Foundation

I was thrilled to spend the closing day of the PGA tournament at Oakland Hills Sunday in toasty PGA Foundation chalet #35, right on the chilly and windy 18th fairway. I owe my cushy and oh-so-comfortable surroundings to client and friend Cynthia Kidder (www.bandofangels.com).

The PGA folks know a winner when they see one, both on and off the course. That's why they have generously supported Cynthia Kidders' efforts with Band of Angels since she first met the acquaintace of Earnie Ellison, the PGA Foundation's business development guru (not PR guru, but he's pretty good at that, too) at the 2004 Ryder Cup.

I had the privilege of meeting and chatting at length with Earnie yesterday and was incredibly impressed with this warm, elegant man who loves golf but, even more important, loves what golf can do for underprivileged kids, kids with special needs, at-risk kids and charities that support kids - and adults. For Earnie, it's all about measuring the economic impact of golf and leveraging some of that economic impact to support worthwhile charities. That's what the PGA Foundation does and they do it sincerely and consistently, giving approximately 10% of PGA tournament earnings to important local causes, large and small. Of course, they hope to expand the game of golf and interest in the sport through their charitable giving, but that's fine. Corporate charity has a substantial, legitimate business component.

Professional golf does so many things right, steering clear of scandal, bad manners and negativity. After meeting with Earnie yesterday, I have a better idea of how they maintain their sterling reputation.

Mark Spitz Should be at the Olympics, But He Should Take the High Road There

I haven't been able to watch nearly as much of the Olympics as I would like to but I have been following them in print and on-line. One of the big stories on Yahoo today is that Mark Spitz, 1972 seven-time gold medal swimmer, is not attending the Olympics because he wasn't invited. Click the link below to read about it.

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/news;_ylt=Alurya8b6HpuEP9IKMFqBtwazJV4?slug=afp-oly2008swimusaspitz&prov=afp&type=lgns

Unequivocally, Mark Spitz should have been invited to the Olympics. He should even have a premium, reserved seat in the natatorium as he and the rest of the world watch to see if U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps will usurp Spitz's seven medal record. I think Mr. Spitz deserves accolades, attention and respect, especially by the Olympic Committee. His lack of an invitation must have been a mistake, an oversight on the part of an overworked Olmpic staffer.

However, Spitz likely would have garnered an immediate apology and offered a ride to Beijing ASAP on a private jet if his disappointment was less petulant and minus the appearance of sour grapes. I would suggest something along the lines of: "I'm deeply disappointed not to be attending the Olympics but the truth is, I was not invited to attend. If I were invited, I'd be in the stands cheering for Michael Phelps and the rest of those devoted swimmers. I'd be thrilled to be there recalling my own Olympic victories and sharing in new ones with my compatriots."

You get the picture. Of course, I could be wrong. Mr. Spitz may already be enroute to Beijing, with the Olympic Committee apologizing all over themselves. I'm certain there will be some type of response. I can't wait to read about it.

(DON'T) Save Tiger Stadium!

I have a hard time getting excited about the protracted efforts to save Tiger Stadium. Even as the wrecking ball swings, small factions are struggling to raise money to save portions of the Tigers' former home. Which portions? The upper deck women's restroom? The 38th row in the bleacher section? Detroit needs to move forward, not hang on to an empty relic of the past. (Boy, does that statement have implications far beyond Tiger Stadium!)

It's not that I don't have fond memories of the old ballpark. Growing up on the west side of Detroit, I enjoyed many a Saturday afternoon and summer night there. It was close to home and inexpensive, especially with bleacher tickets or obstructed view seats. My first date with with my husband, Eric, was also at Tiger Stadium. Despite 21 years of wedded bliss, that doesn't seem like a good reason to keep the ballpark alive, though.

I also have wonderful memories of grocery shopping with my mom at Great Scott at Michigan and Schaefer in Dearborn, but there was no hue and cry when that closed. The small Catholic high school I attended is also closed. How dare they? The Whole Foods near my house is relocating to a larger location. They can't do that! I used to be able to walk there to get my fill of Vegan-friendly fare. Okay, so I hardly ever went there, but so what? Many of my favorite professors at Wayne State have now retired. That shouldn't be allowed, because they were my teachers once I and I liked knowing they were still there. Okay, you get the picture. Life moves on, with or without us. The future is far too exciting to dwell on the past, especially when fond memories will suffice.

AND WHAT WILL BECOME OF FANCHON?

Detroit is not a city that moves on well. Fox 2's Fanchon Stinger is this week's personal case in point. I eagerly read her response to reports of her involvement in the Synagro sludge debacle. My first thought after reading her statement was neither an impression of innocence or guilt; rather, it was whether she used Roget's Thesaurus to amass the number of superlatives used to describe her outrage at reports that she was involved with Synagro. Here's a sample: "scandalous allegations", "blatant misrepresentations", "tawdry allegations", "excruciatingly difficult", "systemic, strategic and malicious dismantling of my reputation..." Whew! I was emotionally exhausted just reading it. Of course my second thought was of innocence or guilt. Thou thinks she doth protesteth too much? (I'm probably not quoting that exactly, but because my WSU Shakespeare professor is likely retired too, it doesn't matter.)

Compuware 1.0 + Compuware 2.0 =Compuware I Don't Know

It's official. Even Compuware officials have no idea what the company does. Read my blog post from February 13th and then read the excerpted Q&A from today's Detroit News interview with Compuware COO Bob Paul.

Q : So how does Compuware 2.0 differ from Compuware 1.0?

A : We'd been focused on many, many different products which span a wide variety of information technology services. We do a lot of things in a lot of places around the world and Compuware 1.0 has been built around being a master of many different things, rather than a master of a few. So that's part of the difference between Compuware 1.0 and Compuware 2.0. Compuware 2.0 is much more about those things that can bring the maximum value to our customers, and that allows for breakout growth.

This less than succinct reply compels Detroit PR Guru to respond in kind and ask, "Huh?"

Remove the reference to information technology services and Mr. Paul has just described approximately 100,000 U.S. based companies. I don't blame Mr. Paul, though. He's been affiliated with Compuware since 2004 but has only been COO since April. It appears to take decades to actually describe, in non-consultantese English, what Compuware does. Meetings must be rather interesting there. No one knows what the company does, but they are all trying to package and sell its mystery services and products to global corporations, Wall Street and even colleagues. (I think Dilbert works there.)

It'd hard to resist tying all this gibberish into a neat little bow when considering the recent paraphrased words of Compuware founder and CEO Peter Karmanos. He supports Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick because, "He's the best that we've got." Apparently, nonsense begets nonsense when it comes to Compuware wordsmithing.