May 7, 2011
One summer day in the early 1980s, President Ronald Reagan met with a group of Future Farmers of America leaders at the White House. He was so taken with their courtesy, character and respectfulness – not to mention their attire – that before their next visit, staff members sent word that the president would like to be presented with FFA’s signature item – the blue and gold, corduroyjacket.
The most photographed, most powerful man in the world had made the request. For many organizations, it would have been the ultimate coup.
Behind the scenes, however, it wasn’t that easy.
“Um, Mr. President,” I can hear them saying. “We’re flattered that you want to wear our jacket. Really, it’s, gosh … But here’s the deal. That jacket is … well, um … that jacket is for FFA members only.”
The next summer, in front of the White House press corps on the South Lawn, Reagan smiled and sheepishly put on what the FFA had given him. Not the official jacket – but instead, an FFA cap (more…)
May 6, 2011
In the new issue of Esquire magazine, writer Stephen Marche argues that it’s time for Tiger Woods to be forgiven.
His claim is not based on Woods having done anything to regain the public’s affection. Rather, Marche suggests that:
- Tiger’s – in his own words – “transgressions” aren’t any worse than countless other athletes and celebrities. (True, but that doesn’t make it right. Not to mention how long it took him to swallow his pride and come clean – reluctantly, at that.)
- The public is way too harsh with its judgment of celebrities. “Our judgment of Tiger’s morality is as phony as it comes,” Marche writes. “Gawker Puritanism, devoid of content.” (Good point. But if you’re going to enjoy the benefits of celebrity, you have to live with the cost.)
- Once Tiger wins another tournament, he will be forever forgiven. (Not so quick. LeBron James was the second-leading scorer in the NBA this year and has the Miami Heat in the playoffs. But it hasn’t caused the public to forget his made-for-ego exit of Cleveland.)
Earlier this week, the Associated Press ran a more level-headed assessment of Tiger’s reputation problems. (Incidentally, to be fair, Esquire’s piece was borderline satirical, which Esquire does so well (more…)
Apr 21, 2011
Elizabeth Cambage sure knows how to rebound.
In her first week with the WNBA’s Tulsa Shock, the 6-foot-8 Australian basketball phenom has proven she can win over an audience.
Not that it started out so smoothly. Two weeks ago, Cambage, 19, made headlines when an Australian newspaper reported that she didn’t want to play in Tulsa.
Cambage soon clarified. The Shock had the No. 2 pick, and Cambage said she simply would like to be No. 1 – which, as expected, was the University of Connecticut’s Maya Moore, widely regarded as one of the best players ever.
Since then, Cambage has been on a roll.
At the WNBA draft in Bristol, Conn., on Monday, with Moore’s status having been cemented, all eyes were on Cambage (more…)
Mar 17, 2011
Toward the end of orientation, Jim Langdon, publisher of TulsaPeople magazine, asked the question that many of us were thinking: “What’s expected of us?”
Seems that Orhan Kucokosman, our host, had heard this before.
“Nothing,” he said. “There is no expectation. You will be guests in our country. For us to expect something would be insincere.”
On Friday, as March Madness flies into Tulsa, seven of us will be flying out. We’re spending nine days in Turkey as guests of the Institute of Interfaith Dialogue, a nonprofit that builds bridges and understanding between Turkey and the West.
As part of its outreach program, Kucokosman and his colleagues invited me to recruit a delegation of Oklahoma media representatives for the journey. Through the years, dozens of elected officials, faith leaders and business people from the U.S. have taken the trip.
We’ll start in Istanbul, where we’ll tour the Topkapi Palace, visit with members of the Turkish media, dine with host families, and tour historic mosques, churches and museums.
Later, we’ll be in central Turkey. We’ll go to Izmir and visit the Ephesus, the House of Virgin Mary and the Basilica of St. John. We’ll go to the capital city, Ankara, and meet with members of the Turkish Parliament.
We’ll attend an elementary school program in Nigde, visit the historic underground city near Nevsehir and conclude in Istanbul.
In addition to Langdon and his wife and business partner, Juley Roffers, my traveling companions include Kelly Burley, general manager of KOSU radio; Bill Bleakley and his wife Linda Meoli, publishers of the Oklahoma Gazette and OKC Biz; and Louisa McCune-Elmore, editor in chief of Oklahoma Today.
Kelly will be filing stories throughout the week for KOSU (you can find them on the station’s Facebook page). Louisa will be reporting on Jennifer James’s blog, Are You There God? It’s Me, Generation X.
I’ll be posting updates on Facebook and Twitter as time and technology allow, and later will share the experience with friends at All Souls Unitarian Church, the Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice, and wherever else there’s an interested audience.
“We hope you will enjoy our country and our people, and that you will come home and share your experiences,” Kucokosman told us. “That’s all we can ask.”
As my friend Bill Handy put it, it’s “the ultimate word-of-mouth campaign.”
Departure is less than 24 hours. Already, the campaign is off to a terrific start.
-Russ Florence
Blog also published in the Journal Record
Mar 16, 2011
Three words, one Tweet: “I’m still here.”
Moments after the Tulsa World had announced staff reductions that eliminated 18 positions, including some in the newsroom, reporters like Robert Evatt began sending signals about their fate.
As they dealt with survivors’ guilt, adjusted to new assignments and – oh, by the way – prepared another daily edition, it was a sober reminder that the news business is changing.
It’s not just in Tulsa, nor is it limited to print journalism. Television newsrooms also are cutting back and rewiring themselves for the digital world. The gasping economy hasn’t helped, either.
As the business reinvents itself, public relations practitioners must adapt. Here are five ways that smaller newsrooms affect the profession:
- Faster turnarounds. Leaner newsrooms mean reporters can’t always work far in advance. Shorter deadlines necessitate quicker responses. Effective PR counselors respect reporters’ deadlines. It’s true now more than ever.
- Fewer niche writers. Once upon a time, everything from agriculture to consumer affairs had its own beat writer. Today, many reporters cover several topics. You can’t expect them to be an expert on every subject. Thus, the PR practitioner’s role in getting a reporter up to speed on a topic – thoroughly, quickly, clearly and honestly – is critical.
- Play to local strength. As the public gets its national news online and on cable, local newspapers and TV stations are devoting more attention to local stories. That’s their sweet spot. Play to it.
- Pitch analysis stories. In a 24/7 cycle, news is always breaking. Unless it’s a major story, television has to move on to something else the next day. But the metro dailies often run follow-up, analysis and reactions to ongoing stories. Look for ways to package and pitch Day Two stories to a variety of section editors.
- Stay flexible. With newsrooms and assignment desks stretched so thin, don’t expect reporters to drop everything to cover your event or listen to your pitch. Give them some flexibility. Work with them. If you’ve got a good story, they’ll listen. You just need to adapt to their timeframe.
Later in the day, Brian Barber, who covers City Hall for the Tulsa World, posted this on his Facebook page: “It’s been a tough week for Tulsa print journalism … but all of us who love it and can’t imagine doing anything else soldier on.”
That’s all we can ask. Soldier on, Tulsa World.
-Russ Florence
