On the Radar Screen
A Reminder: Edit, Edit and then Re-Edit
Three press releases that came our way last week stopped us in our tracks. The cry in the newsroom was "What were they thinking?" Unfortunately, those releases also reconfirmed the notion that in haste, press releases sometimes go out without a second look - or a second thought.
The first that shocked us came from The Endocrine Society, which issued a fact sheet about hormone research and disorders of the endocrine system (here, the obvious news hook was Mark McGwire and the steroid, Andro).
The release noted that too much androgen can impact the body's production of testosterone, "shrinking your grapes to raisins."
"What were they thinking?"
The second item came in the form of market research from Ketchum and contained this absurd headline: "African Americans Want Cleanliness and Quality When Shopping."
"What were they thinking?"
And the third came from GT Interactive, which touted its partnership with Mercury Recording artists, "The Mighty Mighty Bosstones" and "Nashville Pussy," groups that will provide music for GT's Rogue Trip game.
The release referred to the name of one of the band's new albums, a title which employed part of the group's name in a blatant reference to a sex act equalled only by the Clinton tapes. PRN's editors were NOT amused.
"What were they thinking?"
This might sail in some edgy, campy mag, but over the wires? Come on, fellas.
(Endocrine Society, 301/270-8571; Ketchum, 404/877-1841; GT, 212/726-6982)
E&P: The Inside Scoop on How Papers Viewed the Starr Report
A must-read for anyone in media relations to better understand the thought process surrounding how the media (you, know, those folks who never call you back) makes decisions is the Sept. 19 Editor&Publisher. The article analyzes how the media approached releasing the Starr Report.
From listing 80 newspapers that endorsed Clinton's resignation to providing a window into what these folks faced when they learned the report would be released into the public domain en masse, you'll get a rare glimpse into the media machine.
The issue also is filled with details about how concerns were put to rest as staffers hustled to put their papers to bed.
For instance, this gem: "Logistically, the report posed problems because nobody knew how a 445-page government report would flow onto newsprint [with papers reserving too much space]...the New York Times filled out its 24-page Starr report section with eight full-page house ads."
Business Moves
- Comdex and the Berkshire Marketing Group will break new PR ground at Comdex in Las Vegas this year: for the first time and for between $3,000 and $9,000 a pop, radio media tours (RMTs) will be offered from the floor of the show.
BMG handles the announcements, calling radio stations, setting up and making sure the right technology and equipment are in place. It claims all you've got to do is get a spokesman to face the mikes. (BMG, 617/713-3626)
- The Consumer Electronic Manufacturers Association has teamed with Roher PR, New York, to take on Chicago's new sound ordinance. CEMA sent out a release last week alleging that retail sales of car stereos have dropped 30 percent since Chicago police began seizing vehicles whose owners have the stereos cranked.
CEMA is looking for an amendment to the law to allow for "reasonable" decibel levels. (CEMA, 703/907-7669)
- BSMG Worldwide, New York, acquires public affairs shop Adamson Associates, which is based in Brussels. (BSMG, 212/445-8009)
- Dave Olsson is promoted to president at Marketing Support, Inc., a marketing agency in Chicago. (Marketing Support, 312/565-0044)