Leadership, Messaging, Strategic Blueprints, Views on News • October 20th, 2009

Obama vs. Fox

by Chris Lato

The White House has an ax to grind with Fox News. The question is whether this is really a wise battle to be engaging in.

On the one hand, we have Jacob Weisberg calling Fox News un-American and heavily biased. So sayeth the author of ‘The Bush Tragedy.’

On the other hand, William Murchison with the Dallas Morning News argues President Obama has an ‘enemies fetish’ and Ruth Marcus at the Washington Post says picking this fight is ‘dumb.’  

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Views on News • July 15th, 2008

The fight over 4

by Chris Lato

Ah, Brett Favre. There was a bit of buzz from a couple co-workers when I mentioned I might take on this whole Favre flap.

First, some caveats: I am by no means an obsessive follower of professional sports. This column may offer a fresh perspective, or you may take it as a load of hooey from someone who doesn’t know any better. All I can do is process what I’ve observed.

Second: Brett Favre is an outstanding athlete – without question, one of the best pro quarterbacks of all time. His spot in history is assured.

But for crying out loud, how much more of this do we have to endure?

From a PR perspective, Favre has built up an outrageous amount of goodwill in Wisconsin. We’ve been willing to overlook a lot – the tantrum-like off-season ‘will he or won’t he return’ stuff in particular – because we love watching the guy play his heart out on behalf of the Pack.

But Favre is spending a lot of that goodwill now with a divisive and very public battle with the Packers brass. The worm is turning. I’m starting to think fans wouldn’t mind seeing Favre in another jersey (as long as it’s not the Bears or Vikings).

The team has to do what is best for the Packers, not what is best for the ever-changing whims of Brett Favre. As painful as it may be to admit, Favre announced his retirement and the team moved on. The Pack is rebuilding with a new quarterback in place. The preseason is right around the corner.

Could the team have a winning season with Favre? How about without him? That is up to the Packers brass to determine - and fans and management cannot let their judgment be clouded by nostalgia or sentimentality. Favre gave the Pack 100% but times change and the team cannot just sit idly by while Favre works out his personal conflict over whether or not to keep playing.

I’m sure it’s tough for a guy like Favre, who has known nothing but football for decades, to walk away from the sport. But that doesn’t mean the whole franchise has to suffer as a result of his inner turmoil.

For the Packers’ part, it appears GM Ted Thompson isn’t blameless, either, if you believe some of Favre’s allegations. But again, how much of this is petulance and sour grapes on Favre’s part?

This is a no-win situation for the Pack, whose best hope at this point in battling back on the PR front is to aggressively take ownership of its position and articulate it to anyone and everyone who will listen. Explain why the team is doing what it is doing with Favre, and come clean with your own clear statements in response to Favre’s allegations of mistreatment or slighting.

One other thing: the Journal Sentinel wrote about the Greta Van Susteren interview with Favre on Fox. Favre mentioned three personnel decisions he pushed for with Thompson that didn’t go Favre’s way.

Favre is still a player. Favre’s opinion should be respected and considered, but he’s paid to be the quarterback, not the manager. If it didn’t go his way - for whatever reason - too bad.

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2008 Primaries, Branding Politix • July 2nd, 2008

The case of the reappearing pin

by Chris Lato

I have subscribed to ‘Rolling Stone’ for nearly 20 years now. What can I say? I like the pop culture coverage. As for the political stuff, it’s all been downhill since Hunter died.

Anyway, I was greeted at my mailbox this week with the new issue of ‘RS’ and the grinning face of Barack Obama, eyes closed, head tilted slightly downward…

OK, the coronation of Barack Obama has begun at ‘RS.’ That’s about the least shocking news in recent memory. But what I was struck by was the very conspicuous return of ‘The Pin.’ With such a basic, copy-free cover, that American flag pin on the senator’s lapel just leapt out at me. more »

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2008 Primaries, Branding Politix, Messaging, Views on News, public relations • April 30th, 2008

The Wright stuff

by Chris Lato

Am I the only one who’s really jazzed to see Hillary Clinton go toe-to-toe against Bill O’Reilly tonight? She is throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks. It’s a Hail Mary pass. Pick your favorite cliché and go with it. How it will go is anybody’s guess, but this is as good a test as any of Clinton’s ability to defuse the enemy and connect with an audience that, charitably, is not inclined to support her. Check your local listings to find out when World War III begins.

While we’re at it, do you think Barack Obama’s head is ready to explode yet over the Rev. Jeremiah Wright controversy? These are the kinds of things that, if played right or not addressed properly by the candidate, can absolutely derail campaigns. Rev. Wright has been saying things that will be viewed as incendiary by many. When tied to Obama’s longtime relationship, people may justifiably ask what Obama was doing giving this gentleman so much credence in his spiritual life.

There is a strong case to be made that this isn’t over, and a smart campaign will know how to maneuver this public-relations nightmare into a positive – both Clinton and, later, McCain will be able to really dent Obama if they play their cards right.

The fascinating thing here is that people are defining the enigmatic Obama by his associations, and there is a lot of political heat around this issue now. Why? Because Obama has, quite vaguely, defined himself as an ‘agent of change.’ OK, that’s fine as far as it goes, and thus far it has definitely resonated in his favor.

But here’s where things get tough - it is time for Obama to start putting some meat on the bones. The press will lend a helping hand if you are unwilling to do the defining yourself, or wait too long to address the issue at hand. Rev. Wright has captured so much attention because we know too little about what Obama stands for. For better or worse, Rev. Wright gives us insight into where Obama is REALLY at.

It’s quite unfair to exclusively define Obama by his relationship to Rev. Wright, but by the same token it is an illustrative association. As for the ongoing press heat, I’ve said it before – the honeymoon is over. The protests that this is all ‘politics as usual’ only carry you so far. The press certainly isn’t buying that one anymore. Is Team Obama really ready to step up and take these serious issues head-on?

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