Tag Archives: USC

AlwaysOn OnHollywood Day 2 Update

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As the second day of the Always On & ETC OnHollywood conference draws to an end – on this day I gathered a few great nuggets of interesting info as the event took a peek into the future.

Some of the take-aways included:

  • The Economy is Coming Back-The conference featured several Los Angeles based equity investors with available money to support business opportunities.  There is VC money not just in Orange County, but also in Hollywood! That’s good news for all.  Apparently, the Silicon Valley is the best hotbed for engineering talent, but LA has a diverse workforce to pull from. LA is a great place for starting up companies in gaming, Internet, analog and content.  Not a great place for enterprise. Another tip is stay local for your investments.
  • Mine! Mine! Mine! - Yeah, it still appears that large content corporations want to keep their product on their own portals and are not willing to give it to distribution partners outside their walled gates.  They call this managing their exclusives.  I am not a fan of this practice, but corporately I understand it.
  • Smarter is Better - Yesterday I learned that all life will be done on our mobile phones, but today I heard about Smart TVs that include a hard drive and include widgets and apps.  Not only will our TVs get more robust, but I love that web content producers are cutting deals directly with smart TV hardware companies to provide their content.  This new approach bypasses the service provider.  What an amazing shift and change.
  • No More Flops - As someone who worked in the online gaming space for a number of years, I was blown away to hear that online gambling will soon become legal in this country.  I never thought the day would exist and I’m not sure how I feel about it. I mean I know there are ways that people have gone around these laws and have gambled online…but, opening it up means that more people will be able to lose whatever money they have. I believe that when this happens there will be another surge in popularity of online poker.

    Do you think it will be good idea to legalize online gambling?

  • It’s Not About the Money - I was excited hearing that web broadcast is a hard business and that if you’re in it for that reason, then that’s not the right reason. We can’t assume that the traditional broadcast model should be applied to new media. It’s apples to oranges.  They are radically different.  We are in the pioneer stages and it’s a wild, but adventurous frontier open to all.
  • Social Role Model - I’ve been meeting superstars in new media on a regular basis, but I haven’t met a female yet whom I thought was a definite rock star.  Justine Bateman blew me away today. She possesses the same philosophies as I do and had me captivated and in awe with this answer. She told a person in the audience that just because you aren’t getting traction pitching cable development executives, doesn’t mean that you should pitch online distributors as a default. She said you should pitch online if you live online. I so agree. I always say you shouldn’t hire a social media/pr consultant unless they practice social media themselves.
  • Branded Entertainment - Well, there’s no way it’s going away on broadcast nor web. Drats.  The motivation is too great to not employ these techniques online as well. In web, they see it as brand extension. It’s about efficiency, reach and deliverables. It is just in the infancy and it has tremendous growth.
  • Kangaroo TV – Steve Ross, owner of the NFL Miami Dolphins apparently gives a interactive hand held device to some of his season ticket holders that allows them to see different camera angles to the game as well as watch the other NFL games going on at the same time.  What a game changer. Brilliant idea Mr. Ross.
  • In-Home – You will start hearing this phrase more and more (In Home) entertainment. What this means is that is that this phrase means content provided to you at home via another service other than your cable company.  Also, keep an eye out for web content to be on their VOD channels as well. How cool will that be!

  • The Open Media Revolution is Over: Are We Better Off? Session (L-R) Jonathan Aronson, Tony Perkins, David Wertheimer

    Tony Perkins – I want to send a giant thank you to Tony Perkins, Founder and Editor of AlwaysOn, and his entire team for organizing this conference as well as the others.  He webcasts each one and for those of us who are not able to travel or pay for these cutting edge and topical conferences – this is a priceless gift.  I know I am smarter because of these conferences and more knowledgeable about areas I would have never been exposed.  So from the bottom of my heart, thank you for the opportunity.

Entertainment in the Digital Age Answered at AlwaysOn LA Event

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Tony Perkins always organizes thought-provoking and inspiring conferences.

How is the digital age changing the future of entertainment?  Well, by the looks from my cursory glance at the Program & Speakers Pocket Guide I received upon check in at the AlwaysOn & ETC OnHollywood 2010 Event – the future will feature some interesting topics.

I’m here at USC, thanks to a complimentary admissions pass from Tony Perkins and his gang at AlwaysOn. I love AlwaysOn events and summits and continually learn from their conferences and through this company I am able to stay current and cutting edge.

I’m sitting in the first opening session with Micheal Lewis, the CEO of Real D. So the conversation  guided by LA Times Dawn Chmielewki I learned that the holy grail of 3-D content will be when we consumers don’t have to wear those goofy glasses. In

3- D Glasses won't be rage soon.

fact, Lewis just told us that prescription glasses are almost ready for retail. Crazy huh for us eye glass wearers.  We no longer to have to wear double glasses. Hooray. But, I doubt that I will invest in a pair of those.  I can only imagine the price.

I’ll keep you informed as the day goes on as to what the future holds for all of us still involved in the entertainment industry. #oh10

PR Preparedness-Be Ready to Handle Crisis in A Moment’s Notice

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Sorry that I was absent for a week…I took a little breather from blogging, but I’m back with a vengeance.  While I was away did you get a chance to read Jeffrey Zaslow’s article in Wall St. Journal “Keeping Your Foot Away From Your Mouth.”

Sometimes Sorry Doesn't Clear Your Name (credit: imey0106)

This article reminded me of the importance of being prepared for when the time comes when your client (or executive) or even you may say something that the press may construe as being offensive.  And then in a matter of moments you are on the defensive.  These are the days that that you dread as a PR pro.

Every day we can find examples where people have publicly put their proverbial foot in their mouth.  Look at these diddies from this week alone.

First case in point – former USC Mike Garrett - When he learned about the sanctions imposed on that institution by the NCAA for recruiting violations  he told a gathering the following according to the Los Angeles Times.  “As I read the decision by the NCAA, I read between the lines and there was nothing but a lot of envy. They wish they all were Trojans.” Later he added, “Today I got a purpose for really wanting to dominate for another 10 years.”

These comments did not help secure his longevity as you can imagine and last Monday he replaced by Pat Haden.

Foot in mouth syndrome 2 – The premature firing of Federal employee Shirley Sherrod of the USDA.  For those of you following this case, some of her comments at a past speaking engagement were taken out of context and presented on the web. These comments were not positive and reflected upon her poorly.  As a result, the Agriculture department did not check the facts and thus, hastily fired her, when she actually was innocent in the incident. Whoopsy!  What was the result?  The Obama administration had to issue a public apology which in turn caused them much embarrassment. By observing The President over the last two years, I’m sure he was not happy about this incident and how it tarnished his efforts.  You can read more about the story here.

Celebrity Character killers – As a publicist there’s only so much we can do. Anyone who advises a client who has blatantly said or done something that cannot be excused by entering rehab or civic duty — is something that they have to live with.  I am a firm believer in truth and not in cover up.  And I have no problem in advising clients to be remorseful if that is how they feel if they acted poorly. And telling them that they are accountable for their actions.

Actions by celebrities are easily captured now through such outlets as TMZ, Perez Hilton, US, People, etc. These outlets are the prowl of the latest celebrity dish and it’s not that hard to find at times. All they need to do is watch a star’s twitter account these days.  So when a talent twitters something that sullies their reputation-there’s  not much a publicist can do.  What defense do we have?  Do we think this line works — excusing them for their actions because they were inebriated when they wrote it and it wasn’t their intention? The first time this excuse may work, but after that, their credibility get shot.

We all must be accountable for our actions.  Tiger Woods is experiencing this and is careful about his reputation now. He knows he is being watched by the public.  Kobe Bryant had to overcome a situation a few years ago and has kept out of the headlines with scandal.  Laying low does help people forget past issues.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words (credit: Getty images)

But, for those like Mel Gibson and Lindsay Lohan it is a different story.  For Mel, if those tapes are proven to be his voice, he needs to go get some help and then enter back into the limelight when he has changed his ways. And for Lindsay and the fact that she painted that profanity on her fingernail. She did that. No one else can take the blame. How can you defend that action as a publicist other than to say…that it was a cry for help?

With anyone now having the ability to broadcast and share their words through social media, we must be mindful of our words.  We all are held responsible for our actions and accusations. We all must filter our thoughts, actions and deeds online for you are accountable.  And at the end of the day, there’s only so much you can clean up. Yes, people can forgive others, but they also never forget.

Just today the facts came out about Facebook. Over 500 million humans have accounts across the globe. That breaks down to one-out-of-seven people who are using it.  And that fact makes me shudder. It scares me to think about how many of those users are unaware of the power behind words and the damage that can result by misinformation.  If you don’t think it can happen to you, just look at Ms. Sherrod.  Her comments were edited unbeknownst to her.  The same thing could happen to any of us. We need to be smart online.

In summary, be mindful of all that you say, do, write and text.

But, if you do find yourself in a spot of trouble…I’m just an email away.

Cindy

It’s A Great Time For Publicists

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Nothing to Celebrate Now

Pals Again

A Mugshot of a Man in Need of a Publicist

It’s a great time to be a publicist for the harvest field has recently become full with so many influential people and institutions finding themselves caught in potential reputation tarnishing situations.  Just take a look at our current workload.

  • Mark McGwire
  • Charlie Sheen
  • USC
  • Harry Reid
  • NBC

Need I say more. Publicists are needed in each of the above situations and lives like never before.

In addition to being a benefit during crises, publicists as a whole have much to gain from high-profile situations for it is at these character building times that our craft is treated with the respect it deserves. And, if the publicists that are charged with the above situations do it right, then they will not only bring goodwill to our profession, but also help save the lives of individuals who have been lead astray by either greed, power or a personal demon.

HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY

As a publicist my first counsel is to come clean. I tell my clients if something has been done wrong and especially if it is on the verge of being found out that they need to confess.  That’s why I’m glad Mark McGwire had the saddest day of his life today and admitted to steroid use.  He no longer has to dance around this issue and keep the lie going.

Why did he come out with it now? Who knows, but I think it was because he couldn’t stand the guilt one more day.  As we all know, secrets hurt more keeping them in than in their exposure.  Yes, his reputation has been damaged, but Mr. McGwire can now rest his head on his pillow tonight with a clear conscience for the first time since perhaps 1993.  That’s a long time to keep a lie alive.

Is he in the clear now? No, I believe this is just the start of his healing. He now needs to apologize to his fans and face the music.  He will face some punishment, whether that be never being voted in the the MLB Hall of Fame or having an asterisk by his stats.  He is accountable for his actions and must face the consequences.

And my advice goes for the rest of them too.

Charlie Sheen needs to admit to his anger problems and get treatment. His actions need to match his words. He also needs to financially support battered womens abuse shelters and speak to men about this issue as part of his healing.

Pete Carroll is the smartest man at USC by getting out of the NCAA-violation laden athletic program.  The you-know-what-kind-of-storm is going to hit there and you haven’t seen anything yet.  The flood gates are just opening and the best thing USC can do is silence Mike Garrett, USC’s Athletic Director.  Now is the time for silence from the administration or its time to confess if there have been problems.

Harry Reid’s situation should be over in a few days regarding his racist remarks toward President Obama. He smartly issued an apology before the storm hit him and the President accepted his apology. Case closed. Well done.

And NBC-They have a huge mess on their hands.  They have pissed off their two best talents.  Jay and Conan are having a field day ridiculing the company on air that gives them their pay checks.  With GE soon selling the shop to Comcast, it could be that this lame duck administration is throwing up its hands to these boys who are behaving badly.  They might not care.  But as viewers, we love it. It makes great TV. And well, I think they will continue this outward protest for some time to come…even after the Winter Olympics.

So if you are looking for a job, you might want to think about being a publicist – that is if you like to clean up other people’s messes and don’t mind being expendable until a major poop storm hits.  When the talent is knee deep in you know what- that’s our time to shine. And right now there are a lot of people who desperately need us.  Tiger, do you still need some help?

What’s your spin on this post?

Not in deep water yet,

Cindy