Reputations at stake in Rudd car deal controvery

In all the hubbub about whether or not the Prime Minister (or his office) was allegedly involved in giving a car dealer mate a good deal, spare a though for the Public Servant at the centre of the controversy.

Sure, someone’s going to be a political reputational winner and someone a loser. But what will be the effect on Treasury official Godwin Grech’s career once the dust has settled?

I’m betting he may come out of it with his reputation (and job) intact. He doesn’t strike me as someone prone to making such damaging insinuations.

It’s urine … and you’re drinking it (or will be)

The Water Corporation in WA has started to introduce the notion of people drinking recycled sewage.

Last night’s TV news carried a spot, so it’s a safe bet the frequency of media coverage will increase in proportion to the sinking levels in our dams (currently 39%).

It will be interesting to see who’s first to oppose the move, and who runs a strong “anti” campaign.

PR Lab

Banana wars

The people who manufacture Mars Bars have reduced the size of the product by 11 per cent (while increasing the price) … all in the name of combating obesity.

They reckon they’re helping combat Australia’s growing obesity problem. The Australian Banana Industry has hit back, saying a banana is far healthier, and cheaper.

It’s brilliant PR by the sweets company.

Brilliant. They reduce their costs and increase the profit margin. Oh yes, they also get the free publicity to sell more of the price-inflated product.

And I keep noticing that Australia’s favourite biscuits and chocolates are getting smaller, and that cordial keeps getting more watery, and jam gets less fruity.

prLAB

Reserve Bank blind to conflict of interest

The Reserve Bank of Australia has a problem, but doesn’t know it.

Its assistant governor, Robert Rankin, is involved with a company that has been linked to shady deals (Africa and Asia) overseas. Worse, that company supplies polymers (used to make money) to the Reserve.

Wait. There’s more. Another two Reserve Bank appointees are also linked to the company.

Is there any acknowledgement from the Reserve there’s a problem? Not a jot.

All the Bank says is that it will ask the company, Securency, about its methods.

Am I missing something?

– The PR Lab

Accused mum could boost Rudd in polls

The Aussie mum facing jail in Thailand (for stealing a bar mat) could be a boost to the government’s poll ratings.

Let’s see how quickly Kevin and Wayne can get the mother of four, Annice Smoel from Melbourne, home.

The quicker she returns, the better the government’s standing will be, considering the gloss is now starting to wear a little thin.

http://wwwprlab.com.au

Sex and sport: when reputation doesn’t matter

Something’s not right when, in this day and age, peak sports bodies don’t take action when they know there’s an issue. I’m referring to the sex scandals involving Cronulla Rugby Leagues Club and the Australian Soccer Federation.

Sure, they will say they took action. But the Cronulla group sex act occurred seven years ago, and the Australian Youth soccer player appeared in court last September. The ASF says it didn’t know its player had been charged. Really?

Their apparent (immediate) lack of concern for alleged victims is appalling. Their understanding of reputation management practices is also astounding.

This attitude is perhaps reflected in the response over the past three weeks to a national survey I am conducting of major sports bodies and clubs on reputation. Of 91 communications “professionals”, only 16 bothered to respond.

Perhaps I can salvage something from the survey and ensuing interviews. I doubt whether these clubs can.
The sports media is compliant in all these “affairs”. I spent 17 years on metro dailies. The journos don’t report it because if they do the clubs cut off contact with them, so they’re effectively out of a job. Liam Bartlett was the journalist who broke the Ben Cousins story, as he had nothing to lose. And on it goes.

It probably doesn’t matter (well it does for the victims) because I believe much of professional sport will “eat itself”, either because of the inability of Australia to support so many professional sports (e.g, basketball) or due to the continuing scandals (e.g, Manly, Cronulla) or a combination of both.

Time for a save water campaign

If ever there was a time for PR to demonstrate it’s value, it’s here in Western Australia.

In Perth we’re all sitting around in t-shirts. The dams are at 39 per cent capacity. There has been no rain this year. Indeed, for at least the past five or six years we’ve had exceedingly dry winters. Global what?

I reckon it’s about time the Water Corporation campaigned to ban all lawn watering. If ever there was a waste of water, this is it. After all, lawn is a weed.

PR in Perth a shaky business

National firm Rowland closed its Perth office this week, apparently without much warning.

Manager Carla Shearman praised staff in an email sent to clients and colleagues, but didn’t elucidate on the reasons for the closure. It’s sudden, though, because they only just moved offices.

It highlights the tenuous nature of the profession, particularly in Perth.

I’ve been conducting a longitudinal study of PR jobs in Australia (past six months) which shows that there are more PR positions in New Zealand in Perth.

Meantime, Carla’s half a dozen staff have to find jobs.

Knox Grammar heads into the abyss

On 26 February I wrote about the sex scandal enveloping Knox Grammar, saying it would get worse. Well, yesterday it did. A fourth teacher was arrested for alleged sexual molestation. Yet the school remains mostly silent. Wrong (PR) move.

But they don’t listen. I rang the school when the second arrest occurred. They weren’t interested in my advice.

I believe this situation will get worse. Obviously this will happen when the accused appear in court. But I also believe there may be something more sinister. In time, the special police task force may uncover it.

Time to stop carping

It’s about time Malcolm Turnbull stopped carping from the sidelines.

No matter what the government does, Turnbull opposes it (yes, he is in Opposition).

But the latest plan by the government, to introduce a fibre optic network has merit – if not just for the thousands of jobs it will create.

But big Mal just waded right in to rubbish it.

There are times when some credit might just not go astray.