Strange Times: These are headscratching times for PR pros who specialize in media relations. We offer three examples. Last month the NY Times dismissed a veteran editor without explanation beyond he made some “mistakes” (PRN, May 1). Then, after scads of media questioned the Times’ lack of transparency, the paper allowed one of its reporters to advance the story, though she had to rely on anonymous sources. In short, several female Times staffers accused Metro editor Wendell Jamieson of inappropriate behavior, the story, quoting unnamed sources, said. Sources also told the Times reporter management decided to stay quiet about the dismissal to protect the female employees involved (PRN, May 8).
...Transparencia:Last week we had the spectacle of writers harshly criticizing the media company that owns their outlets. In a May 8 article posted on Gizmodo and titled Univision is a F-cking Mess (we removed one letter in the fourth word of the headline), Gizmodo reporter Kate Conger, Splinter’s Dave Uberti and Deadspin’s Laura Wagner collaborate on a nearly 8,000-word article portraying Univision’s growth as a massive business and journalistic failure. In particular, it decried the way Univision moved into digital properties, including the acqusition of digital entities such as Gizmodo, Splinter and Deadspin and the draconian cuts that have followed. Although much of the reporters’ wrath is aimed at Univision executives’ poor decisions, it admits market pressures, such as the ad success of Google and Facebook, make any attempt at creating a going concern on the digital side more difficult. Univision’s growth, particularly in television and radio, had made it a darling of the media world. The story, though, paints Univision management clueless as to how to integrate the digital publications, with employees caught in the middle. An excerpt: “At the working level, a lack of clear editorial vision left employees adrift. Relentless pivots meant...people hired to do one job were often given different assignments within a matter of months, ending up working on projects that didn’t align with their experience; meanwhile, executives seemed far more focused on creating the narrative of a fast-growing media company...”
...Rocky Mountain Low: Couple these unusual media occurrences with recent events at the Denver Post, where employees penned an open letter blasting the paper’s new hedge fund owner, Alden Global. Earlier, Alden Global reportedly refused to allow the paper to run an editorial criticizing Alden’s management. The takeaway for media relations pros: the research you conduct prior to pitching your stories to media best include a review of the battlefield.
Just Do It Consistently:The latest news out of Nike last week contained a surprise but also had a feeling of consistency. There was yet another round of senior Nike executives departing the company in the wake of a major exposure of a dysfunctional culture at the world’s top athletic brand (PRN, May 8). CEO Mark Parker said during a town hall there would be more exits, though they would end last week. Indeed an additional quintet of senior execs is gone, one is a female: VP of Nike East for N. America Helen Kim. She joins Simon Pestridge, global VP of marketing for performance categories; Steve Lesnard, head of running, N. America; and Tommy Kain, director, sports marketing. The consistent element is Nike made no official mention of the departures. It fell to Bloomberg to confirm them. Nike provided no reason for the exits, including that of Ms. Kim. With 11 senior executives gone rapidly, a talent dearth worried market analysts, concerned Parker’s ambitious revenue goals may be even more difficult to achieve. Nike’s shares fell May 9 and 10 on the departure news but were recovering at press time.
Survey Says: PRSA and Edelman are collaborating on a survey about PR measurement techniques. PRSA also appointed a commission to study measurement. -- The Plank Center will sponsor the N. American Communication Monitor to survey the status quo, qualities and trends of communication management. Findings are expected in October.
Growth: Karbo Communications unveiled a dedicated digital content team. Jeff Curtis will run the team.
Industry Affairs, Entertainment Software Association
People: Congrats to PR News friend/Hall of Famer Andrew Bowins on his appointment as SVP, communications and industry affairs, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). Most recently Andrew was executive director, corporate reputation and communications, KPMG. -- Burson Cohn & Wolfe named former Cohn & Wolfe worldwide president Jim Joseph global president, brand solutions, a new position. -- A pair of APCO appointments: former chief foreign correspondent for the WSJ Jay Solomon was named senior director; and former State Department official Prashanth Rajan was named a director.