Leadership, Views on News, public relations • July 22nd, 2009

Degrees of misconduct

by Chris Lato

I had an interesting conversation recently about whether any law or state regulation that is on the books should still be enforced- particularly when those who create/enforce the laws are accused of breaking it.

The initial discussion was spurred by adultery – which is illegal in Wisconsin. Recently, a top law enforcer was caught in an affair with a reporter/commentator/professor who wrote a story about him. Both were married and admitted to the infidelity. (I’m not mentioning names here – I see no need to rehash. Read some of Dan Bice’s recent columns at JSOnline if you don’t know who I’m talking about.)

Now, beyond the obvious questions of journalistic ethics, should the law enforcer face punishment for breaking what most people likely consider to be an unnecessary law that hasn’t been enforced in decades?

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Leadership, Views on News, public relations • July 16th, 2009

In the news

by Chris Lato

So, Governor Doyle is now refusing to answer questions about missing travel receipts?

The state news media is generally obsessed with the notion of open records in state government, and not without reason. By that standard, shouldn’t the press refuse to take no for an answer and call for full disclosure…and not give up until they get it?

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Messaging, Views on News, public relations • January 9th, 2009

Is MPS keeping a gay-friendly school in the closet?

by Chris Lato

The PR folks at the Milwaukee Public School district had best brace themselves for a potential firestorm.

Although it was first reported by U.S. News and World Report a few weeks ago, only now is the story inexplicably starting to surface: the MPS board has approved what is apparently the first gay-friendly middle school in the nation.

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Leadership, Messaging, Views on News, public relations • January 7th, 2009

Aggressive PR is paying off

by Chris Lato

Call it ‘Mr. Burris Goes to Washington.’ The Roland Burris saga continues to play out in Washington, where he appears ready to be allowed to take over former Senator Obama’s seat after initially being denied.

Burris’ trip to DC was dismissed earlier this week as political theater, a stunt. Dismiss it all you want, but it appears to be working brilliantly. Chalk it up to the power of aggressive PR to change minds and drive action that leads to a desired outcome. He’s out in front, taking charge of the story and never shying away from the camera, while subtly supporting the notion that he is the victim of circumstances beyond his control.

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Branding Politix, Strategic Blueprints, Views on News, public relations • December 9th, 2008

A surcharge on suds?

by Chris Lato

I reference this story in this week’s poll – a movement is afoot to hike taxes on alcohol in Wisconsin.

Trying to raise the tax on alcohol in a state known for its powerful tavern lobby and general love for all things alcohol-enhanced poses a lobbying and PR challenge in the best of times, and the DAs association will likely face an uphill climb with this one.

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Branding Politix, Messaging, public relations • November 7th, 2008

Robert Gibbs and the importance of PR

by Chris Lato

Is it any wonder that one of President-elect Obama’s first decisions is to appoint a press secretary? That is how important PR is to a president, and it should be just as important to you, the business leader or association executive director. This is the day-to-day face of the administration we’re talking about.

Robert Gibbs has a prior relationship with Obama, so it’s no surprise that he picked someone he is comfortable with. A right-hand man with in-the-trenches experience knows how to articulate the boss’s positions and feelings as good as anyone.

I bring this up because it is a good lesson for all businesses and organizations: PR matters. Communication matters. In a time when many businesses are looking at PR, marketing and communications as the first places to cut in the current economic climate, the opposite stance should be considered.

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Grass Roots Organization, Leadership, public relations • September 16th, 2008

The case of the phantom endorsements

by Chris Lato

Yikes. This is a mess that just keeps getting messier.

Regardless of who originally screwed up, it’s time for Daniel Knodl to give up on this whole endorsement thing. It is doing him no favors and has even tripped him up post-primary. It dings Knodl’s credibility and it’s a PR mess that didn’t have to happen. It makes him look like he can’t manage a campaign – not good when running for office.

Time to come out, admit mistakes were made, take full responsibility and whatever punishment may come from that, and get back to knocking on doors and talking about issues. This never should have happened in the first place, but it’s time now for Mr. Knodl to cut bait, already.

And let this be a lesson to all candidates – when seeking endorsements, do one simple thing:

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2008 Primaries, Views on News, public relations • September 11th, 2008

HAVA hubbub

by Chris Lato

JB Van Hollen’s Justice Department is taking action and charging that Wisconsin’s Government Accountability Board (GAB) failed to properly check voter registration records as required by the Help America Vote Act (HAVA).

It’s easy to see where the critics will come down on this one. Van Hollen will be accused of partisanship – that’s no surprise, particularly considering the fact that the state GOP has led the charge in highlighting Wisconsin’s failure to meet HAVA regulations.

However, it should be noted that Wisconsin was more than two and a half years late in getting its database up and running.

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Messaging, public relations, wispundits • August 19th, 2008

An eXXXpensive PR blow

by Chris Lato

State Sen. Rob Cowles is considered a fiscal conservative - but with his investments, he was socially quite liberal.

As Dan Bice reported, Cowles had money tied up in some adult-entertainment stocks. Cowles admitted he knew the companies had strip clubs, but was surprised to hear about some of the raunchy websites and magazines the companies also operated.

Again - Cowles knew about the strip-club connection. As a politician, what was he thinking when he signed off on that? Of course that will come back to bite you. There has to be a hundred better ways to invest one’s money when you are an elected official.

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2008 Primaries, Views on News, public relations • July 31st, 2008

Barack Spears?

by Chris Lato

There are many perils for politicos who associate themselves with celebrities. Witness the mini-uproar over Bill O’Reilly’s favorite rapper, Ludacris, and his tune that sings the praises of Barack Obama.

The problem with tying oneself too closely to a celebrity is that one day the politico may be called on to condemn or defend what that celebrity is doing or saying.

That’s the danger when any surrogate is out there talking up a candidate. Surrogates often stray from the talking points or ignore them altogether. Throughout this presidential election season, the candidates have had to disavow or toss their surrogates aside entirely when the mouth moves faster than the brain (Phil Gramm, anyone? How about Geraldine Ferraro? ).

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