Methods of spin
I picked this up yesterday, it�s a report that suggests that the images of graphic brutality to Iraqi captives were produced by a porn site The conspiracy theorists are being fuelled I suggest by some shadow department in the Pentagon�s spin machine who may be trying to deflect some heat. The published report says the […]
'NOT FIT TO WEAR QUEEN'S UNIFORM!'
When crisis looms, go on the attack. This is exactly what the PR aides did to counter the publication of the shocking pictures printed in the Daily Mirror of British troops apparently urinating on Iraqi prisoners in custody. The Army’s heaviest hitter, Chief of the General Staff General Sir Michael Jackson, was quickly wheeled out […]
The Downfall of the Abu Ghraib Dungeon
For decades Saddam Hussein’s infamous Abu Ghraib dungeon was the scene of terrible cruelty against innocent Iraqi captives. Now the US forces are in charge and it’s business as usual as the torture continues. Images of cruelty against the detainees surfaced last night and were broadcast on ABC’s ‘60 minutes’ programme. The shots showing Iraqis […]
The Rendon Group
I’m always interested in what the Rendon group are up to, and from this week’s PR Watch I find this gem. RENDON GROUPS HELPS AFGHAN GOVERNMENT WITH IMAGE ‘The Pentagon has hired the Rendon Group to counsel and coordinate communications for Afghanistan president Hamid Karzai.’ O’Dwyer’s PR Daily reports. ‘The United States” according to the […]
Cowboys and Angels
Pity poor Peter Wood, Managing Director of B. Delamore Ltd. of Wisbech, and his 12-year-old son Charlie. You see, in their innocence they created a variety of petunia called ‘Charlie’s Angel’ which they took to market. Unfortunately, as their success began to take root, the full wrath of Columbia Pictures descended on this very English […]
The End of Parky
So the doyen of British chat show hosts, Michael Parkinson, has defected from the BBC to ITV – news which has generated metres of coverage in the newspapers this morning, all commenting on how things ain’t what they used to be with the show. It’s generally felt that his best interviews are a thing of […]
Tony's week
I am keen to see how our PM, Bad Boy Blair , manages to spin his way out of his European U-turn this week. The last seven days have been bad for Tony, and the forthcoming seven will be full of deliberate distractions to try and outwit the pursuing pack of snarling, political scribblers.
Beckham free Sunday
Three weeks have passed since the tabloids first outed David Beckham’s alleged affairs. As I survey the red tops today I don’t see a new angle on Goldenballs. The Beckhams have said nothing and eased up on the impromptu photo opportunities. There seems an unholy silence. Perhaps it is accurate to say that the odyssey […]
Returning Coffins
http://www.drudgereport.com for updates (c)DRUDGE REPORT 2004 Since the end of the Vietnam War successive American presidents have worried that their military actions would lose support once the public glimpsed the remains of U.S. soldiers arriving back at air bases in flag-draped caskets. To this problem, the Bush administration has found a simple solution: it has […]
SNAP DRAGONS
Gone are the days of the Palace issuing the latest Snowdon or Litchfield family snap and it smoothly finding its way to prominence in every daily paper. Take yesterday, for instance, the 78th birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The anonymous Press Association shot of three horses, or six, depending on your politics (sorry […]
WILL SHILL FOR NUKES
This week’s Spinwatch has this fantastic nib: University of Texas Professor Sheldon Landsberger has admitted that a pro-nuclear column he submitted under his own name to the Austin American-Statesman was actually written by the Potomac Communications Group, a Washington PR firm that works for the nuclear power industry. “For at least 25 years,” reports William […]
Barbie needs a PR facelift
So Barbie’s sales are down despite the spectacular Valentine’s Day publicity, the one where she split from Ken. If Barbie is to survive she must make the news more regularly. She’s one of the most famous women in the world and should be acting like one. Most stars who crave the adrenalin of column inches […]
Kevin Spacey and the dog in the night-time
Max and Mark disagree over the Kevin Spacey mugging in today’s Guardian. What do you think? http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1195583,00.html
Never ever get too cocky
One rule of PR is never ever to get too cocky when you think you’re on a roll, because there’s always the nasty interview which will bite your butt. Watching Richard and Judy Finnegan expose the shallows of Rebecca Loos clearly demonstrated their loathing for her. The TV make-up dept. couldn’t cover up the perspiration […]
The Sleazy Senorita talks and we all listen
Watching the interview with Rebecca Loos last night, on Sky, I realized it disclosed her true motives. It was her Big Brother moment. OK, she might have made a 6 figure sum, said to be around �125’000. Yes it was compelling TV, as the 26-year-old pitched her story in an attempt to substantiate her claim […]
The Battle for Hearts and Minds
Its always worth a trip to Spin watch for interesting stuff like this “Impartial information is increasingly hard to come by in Iraq,” reports Fiona O’Brien. “As fighting has intensified on the ground, U.S. authorities have stepped up a separate battle for public opinion, tightly controlling the flow of information to journalists whose ability to […]
In the Indie today
CHEQUEBOOK TV: Sky strikes �150,000 deal with woman in Beckham … Independent – London,England,UK … Mark Borkowski, a public relations expert, said last night that newspapers and broadcasters were sometimes willing to work together to increase their buying …
Usher and Posh
On the showbiz wires is a news nib that Usher wants to work with Victoria Beckham. Yes folks there is always someone out there ready take advantage of another persons PR misery to benifit their own career. This sort of speculation just keeps the pot boiling but who does it really help.
Not a good Friday for David and Victoria
Not a good Friday for poor old David Beckham. Svenis the England manager offers some marital advice. His wife takes advantage of the crisis and rushes out a new record and a pack of Spanish models claim they had flings with Becks. I am being asked what his advisers might be trying to do to […]
The Hand of Max Clifford
The Guardian has the following story on its site today. I posited this theory on Tuesday’s Steve Wright Show on BBC Radio 2. Catch up guys. Max Clifford held discussions with David Beckham’s former personal assistant Rebecca Loos as long ago as January with a view to selling her story, OnMediaGuardian.co.uk can reveal. The PR […]