The Flack

This weblog attempts to shine a brighter light on the subtle role public relations plays in politics, culture, media, business and sports. Through greater transparency, the author hopes to make the profession better understood and perhaps more widely appreciated.

Example

The New York Yankees organization is never bereft of drama. The latest involves one of the Bombers’ high-paid stars Gary Sheffield. What are the PR implications here?

Well, the Yankees floated the notion that Mr. Sheffield was potentially up for grabs by the team’s crosstown rival, The Mets. Sheffield, not wanting to be traded from his high-profile squad, took the ball into his own hands. During a media interview, he warned prospective suitors that there would be “repercussions” should he be acquired. The Times called it a “calculated attempt” to silence trade talks. I call it good old fashioned PR.

Posted in People, Institutions & Enterprises, New York Yankees, Gary Sheffield | No Comments »

The Perfect Pitch

Posted by Peter Himler on 16th June 2005

Example

This was a home run. Even the boss looked pleased in the news pictures. After all, building a new stadium nowadays can be a somehwat dicey, if not pricey affair — especially in this city. Wasn’t it interesting how news of Bruce Ratner’s new Brooklyn home for the Nets popped in the media in the immediate aftermath of the west side stadium debacle? Coincidental? No way. In our business, timing is everything, and the strategists reasoned that Messrs. Silver and Bruno couldn’t put the kabash on two stadiums in one week.

Wishing to get some of that action, George Steinbrenner let loose his own auspicious plan for the Bronx, which smartly included a preservation-type message to neutralize the historical landmark, baseball legacy crowd. The coverage had something for everybody. It was unanimously glowing — expect perhaps for the Times’s architectural critic – a transplant from the L.A. Times. Expect less glowing details to emerge in the coming months. A story that sounds too good to be true probably is.

Posted in New York Yankees, George Steinbrenner | No Comments »