Online Public Relations Thoughts

 How would you handle PR for Elon Musk, a true CEO from Hell?

The increased use of AI by news media poses a problem for media relations.  How do you influence or discuss stories with a software program? The more story generation, the larger the distance between the media and the public.  Will news organizations simply feed press releases to the computer and let it create what it will?  And, if the story is negative, what can the media relations practitioner do, if anything?  AI won't take over the entire job of reporters but it might become a major factor in service and product stories, both of which media relations depends on to get messages out.  Practitioners should be concerned.

Donald Trump is trying to keep a gag order from being reimposed on him for lambasting a trial judge and his clerk.  Trump is pleading his first amendment right to criticize what is happening in the courtroom.  Trump's position is that he never directly threatened the judge and clerk and the dozens of troubling phone calls they get everyday cannot be attributed to him.  He forgets apparently that inciting violence is a crime.  The appeals court will decide what can be done, but the disgraceful manner of Trump with his motor mouth is trying. One wants him just to shut up and let his trial proceed, but that is not Trump's way and apparently never has been.  

The wheels of justice turn slowly but grind exceedingly fine. Meanwhile, the defendant can plead his case in public and hope it prevails.  It is a fraught publicity strategy.

 Astronomers have detected a high-energy particle coming from an empty part of space.  No one can figure out how or why it is showing as it is.  It is a reminder, as if we need one, that much is unknown about the universe and there are hundreds of years of discovery before us. It also reminds us that we should communicate with caution -- certainties are never absolutely certain.  We should leave wiggle room for the unexpected because at some point in time, it will happen.  Grand and sweeping statements are the province of hype and should have no place in PR.  We should relate facts as we know them and humbly keep quiet about conclusions unless we put them into a client's willing mouth.  PR needn't be flashy but it should always be accurate.   

 What better publicity than this?  And, it has been going for nearly 100 years.  

Sam Altman is back as CEO of OpenAI after nearly all of the company's 770 employees threatened to leave. And, the company is getting a new board to replace the one that fired him.  It is a rare example of employee relations dictating the outcomes of an organization.  The workers demanded to be heard and were because they were unified.  How many other companies could say that they have a cohesive body of employees around the future of the enterprise?  Few.  The unusual revolt against the decision of the board has happened rarely if at all, but it shows where the power lies in a corporation -- with employees.  

This fellow was looked upon as an oddball until he died and left $3.8 million to the New Hampshire town he lived in. Suddenly everyone looked upon him fondly.  It's amazing what money will do for reputation, especially when gifted to the public.  

 Rosalynn Carter's life was one of action, which defined her with the public.  It was true public relations in which publicity was subordinate to the work she took on. Her example is one that leaders should consider.  It's not what you say about yourself but what you do. That is what people remember in the end.  Her obit is a narrative of good deeds done before, during and after serving as First Lady.  She and her husband were an authentic pair of Christian Americans who practiced what they preached.  

This man's ego is ruining a once valuable social medium.  Can he ever learn to keep his thoughts to himself?  Sure, he owns X and can do whatever he wants with it, but in the process he is scaring away advertisers and chalking up billions in losses.  What is it that compels him to speak out about everything that catches his attention?  A communicator should know his limits of expertise and remain silent when he confronts matters beyond his knowledge.  Or, at least acknowledge his lack of understanding.  Musk seems unable to do that and so he steps into controversy time and again.  One wants to tell him to shut up.  

There is little wonder that the public is fed up with Washington DC and Congress with half measures like this.  It is not going to be easier to pass a budget in an election year.  

What is more adolescent than this exchange between two grown men?  They ought to know better, but clearly they don't.  Being in power should confer an ability to let criticisms run off one's back.  Neither man has learned that lesson and so they act like teenagers filled with testosterone and belligerent. The public deserves more from its leaders. 

The Supreme Court is adopting a code of ethics but it has no penalties nor enforcement for justices who violate it.  Its move is the result of public pressure but it is eyewash designed to appease concerns without imposing restrictions on what the justices can and will do.  About the only positive message from the move is that it is a first step toward regulation of justices' behavior.  

Republican Senator Tim Scott has suspended his campaign for president. It is a pity because he had a centrist message and a hopeful run unlike most of the other candidates who are trying to out-Trump Trump.  It is clear now that Republican voters support anger and conspiracy and are ready to battle Democrats in any and all ways.  The idea that one can be nonpartisan is anathema.  The one who has caused this dangerous disaffection is Trump and he has much to answer for his vile rhetoric and ad hominem words.  

The actor's strike in Hollywood is over and studios have made concessions.  The message strikers sent to studio bosses is one of ill-treatment in an era of streaming video and fewer pictures going to theaters.  It is always difficult when workers revolt but sometimes that is all they can do. Studios have the power and the money and could run rampant over actors in spite of the studios claim to "tough times."  Communications through strikes is one of the strongest message-sending techniques there are -- and the actor's apparently have won.

The Republicans (and some Democrats) can censure a Congresswoman over her comments about Hamas and the Palestinians but not impeach a President who inspired a revolt.  Hypocrisy?  

 Apparently Israel is going to take over security in Gaza after the war's end.  It is close to a fool's errand because Hamas or another Palestinian body will kill Israeli troops in terrorist acts.  Israel will have no peace in Gaza and will tie down significant numbers of its soldiers.  The message Israel is sending to Palestinians is harmful.  It is a clear statement that "we don't trust you to keep the peace."  Perhaps Palestinians will get used to soldiers on every corner but chances are low that they will.  There is a larger message being ignored -- what to do about a Palestinian state.

The Republican-controlled House has shown itself to be a feckless body.  It can't even expel a member accused of 23 counts of  illegal activity.  And, there is little doubt he is guilty although his trial isn't until next year.  The message the Republicans are sending to the country is that it will do anything to hold on to its slim majority.  Power trumps honesty.  It's a sad state of affairs but one that is only too familiar.  No wonder voters have little regard for Washington DC.

Toyota had a blow-out quarter on the strength of its hybrid gas-electric vehicle sales.  Customers who are still leery about the price and range of EVs are speaking their preference for motors and batteries combined.  It's an interim step to reining in global warming but it is progress nonetheless.  Once again, Toyota is showing the way.