"Regardless of how you feel inside, always try to look like a winner. Even if you are behind, a sustained look of control and confidence can give you a mental edge that results in victory."
Arthur Ashe
"In designated cleanup areas of certain offices, the company has changed the type of wipe-up towels it buys. In a memo to employees, a staffer explained this will lower GM's "cost per wipe."
Wall Street Journal, November 24, 2008
Article discussing the cost saving measures being employed by GM (Click here for article)
Arthur's quote suggests the importance of appearing as though you are winning even when you're not. Is that "spin" and if it is, is that a bad thing? And if you read the WSJ article I think you'll agree they've "spun" the efforts of GM to control costs (you decide whether they did so positively or negatively.)
What is the role of PR? To get the facts out or is it to create the facts? Is there a difference?
I see no value in PR. Nothing more than attempted mind control which doesn't work.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely not mind control (too bad it's not that easy.)
ReplyDeleteDone properly PR is a legitimate part of the "marketing mix" but like so much else in marketing it is often not done right; hence the used car salesman image.
How do you do it "right"? No time in this blog to explain. Find someone really good at it (many PR people are just "hacks".) The good ones will not only tell you what you need to do but will produce results.
And no I am not a PR person. Just a marketing manager who has seen it work.