Marketing

TV Morning Shows Called "Sophisticated Infomercials"

by John Stauber — November 21, 2001 - 12:00am

Katie Couric of "Today," Diane Sawyer of "Good Morning America," and Bryant Gumbel of "The Early Show" are three of the nation's biggest media stars. But are they journalists or glorified hawkers? According to a report by the Project for Excellence in Journalism, which studied the three network morning shows for two weeks in June and two weeks in October, these programs spend an awful lot of time selling things to the public. ... Even given some slight moderation after the Sept. 11 attacks, the report suggested that the shows were becoming a "kind of sophisticated infomercial."

Main Source: 
Boston Globe, November 21, 2001

Media Let Down Investors

by Sheldon Rampton — October 31, 2001 - 12:00am

Journalists were watchdogs who didn't bark until after the stock market bubble burst, Jim Michaels told about 70 journalists Tuesday at a conference sponsored by Strong Funds in Menomonee Falls, Wis. "We've just come off the worst investment bubble in history that cost investors something like $3 trillion," said Michaels, who served as editor of Forbes magazine for 38 years and is still a vice president there. "The whole thing was a Ponzi scheme, yet during much of it, business journalists were cheerleaders for it.

Main Source: 
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, October 31, 2001

Food Irradiater SureBeam Exploits Anthrax Fears

by Laura Miller — October 17, 2001 - 11:00pm

Public Citizen has taken the San Diego-based SureBeam Corporation to task for falsely claiming that its food irradiation technology can kill anthrax bacteria. "SureBeam has made these claims without any supporting scientific evidence that the company's 'electron-beam' irradiation equipment is capable of killing the anthrax bacteria or its spores," states a Public Citizen news release.

Main Source: 
Public Citizen, Press Release, October 18, 2001; San Diego Union Tribune, October 18, 2001; Meating Place.com, October 18, 2001

Back Scratching in La-La Land

by Sheldon Rampton — October 14, 2001 - 11:00pm

The recent release of the film America's Sweethearts gave moviegoers a peek into the behind-the-scenes world of movie media junkets, a Hollywood institution.

Main Source: 
Sydney Morning Herald, October 15, 2001

How to Sell America to People Who Hate It

by Sheldon Rampton — October 13, 2001 - 11:00pm

"Fighting the anti-American fury that fueled the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks will require more than bombs, intelligence and diplomacy. This is a job for the public relations industry," writes Carl Weiser, Washington correspondent for the Gannett News Service. He asked PR, advertising and marketing experts what kind of campaign they would create to convince the Islamic world "that this nation is not the Great Satan, but good and generous." Responses included:

  • "This is a branding issue, plain and simple. ...

Main Source: 
Gannett News Service, October 14, 2001

The Patriotic Pitch: Buy, America, Buy

by Sheldon Rampton — October 9, 2001 - 11:00pm

"Ad after ad and public relations pitch after pitch has tumbled forth in the past month, using moral rectitude and chin-up perseverance to sell everything from cars to fashion to personal services to social outings to home products," writes Ann Gerhart.

Main Source: 
Washington Post, October 10, 2001

Painful Flame Broiling "Empowers" Burger King Marketers

by John Stauber — October 5, 2001 - 11:00pm

The Associated Press in Miami reports that "a dozen Burger King marketing department employees suffered first and second degree burns on their feet when they walked barefoot over a strip of glowing, white-hot coals as part of a corporate bonding experience." At least one was hospitalized. But pain didn't stop a burned Burger King marketer from putting the best spin on the cultish training she helped organize. "'It was a great experience for everyone,' said Dana Frydman, vice president of product marketing... Although Frydman was one of those injured, she said she has no regret.

Main Source: 
Associated Press in the Miami Herald, October 6, 2001

Newspapers Bitter at Starbucks

by Sheldon Rampton — September 30, 2001 - 11:00pm

Daily newspapers face being booted from Starbucks coffeehouses unless they meet new demands, including one for advertising space. Starbucks, with more than 3,000 stores in North America, wants each regional newspaper to swap ad space for the privilege of being the exclusive local paper sold at its outlets in the area. The effort is a variation of Starbucks' year-old pact with The New York Times, which made the Times the only national newspaper sold at Starbucks.

Main Source: 
MediaWeek, October 1, 2001

PR Pros to Consumers, "Keep Buying!"

by Laura Miller — September 23, 2001 - 11:00pm

PR trade publication O'Dwyer's PR interviewed PR practioners about what they see the profession contributing in the aftermath of the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks. O'Dwyer's reports, "The greatest service PR pros can provide in support of the country is to ensure that the consumer continues to buy, says Maureen Lippe, CEO of Lippe Taylor Marketing PR." However, pitches should try to have a "sensitive and mindful" tone and avoid frivolity.

Main Source: 
O'Dwyer's PR Daily, September 24, 2001

Clinton Boosts UK as Tourist Destination

by Laura Miller — September 5, 2001 - 11:00pm

Former President Bill Clinton has agreed to be an unpaid pitchman for the British Tourist Authority. According to O'Dwyer's PR Daily, the BTA will use the former President's picture on its website and in various brochures.

Main Source: 
O'Dwyer's PR Daily, September 6, 2001
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