Pardon the headline, but it really is the case with Sydney's iconic Coogee Bay Hotel, which has been accused of allegedly putting faeces in customers' gelato after they complained about several issues.
The hotel's novel approach to PR was to offer its customers free gelato. This, from the Australian Hotels Association's top pub in 2005 and 2006.
On top of that, management wouldn't comment because it was "a legal issue" and they said they thought it was sabotage. Heaven forbid they express concern, or that they are taking it seriously.
There's also some argy-bargy going on, with the hotel saying the customers demanded $1m, and the customers denying they asked for any money.
More PR at the PR Lab - http://www.prlab.com.au
28 October 2008
25 October 2008
Pitfalls of a social media release
As if we haven’t had enough information about social media floating around the “blogosphere” these past few years. Yet still, many people don’t get it. Social media is just one method (with several sub methods) of delivering PR.
I received a social media release from some students the other day. They had just attended the national PRIA conference and were, no doubt, fired up by one of the keynote speakers, who turned out to be disappointing.
At 6mb it was a “weighty” document. The main problem is that the Australian media wouldn’t even give this a glance, as they don’t accept attachments in e-mail releases. Apart from that, it didn’t contain the necessary elements people use in these documents (at least I think some people use them).
I commented back to the group, but they never responded (that’s bad PR, people).
As my boss at work said: “haven’t they heard of a phone call?”
See: Australian PR at http://www.prlab.com.au
I received a social media release from some students the other day. They had just attended the national PRIA conference and were, no doubt, fired up by one of the keynote speakers, who turned out to be disappointing.
At 6mb it was a “weighty” document. The main problem is that the Australian media wouldn’t even give this a glance, as they don’t accept attachments in e-mail releases. Apart from that, it didn’t contain the necessary elements people use in these documents (at least I think some people use them).
I commented back to the group, but they never responded (that’s bad PR, people).
As my boss at work said: “haven’t they heard of a phone call?”
See: Australian PR at http://www.prlab.com.au
07 July 2008
Police PR. Money well spent?
The Australian newspaper today revelead that police forces (services) are spending about $10 million a year on communication programs.
While there are legitimate media demands made on police, such as obtaining information on crimes, much of this money could be seen to be used for pushing a government’s political agenda.
There’s a fine line between a commissioner being seen to promoting new crime-fighting initiatves and supporting a political agenda.
It’s an area that I will take a little more notice of, particularly in Western Australia, where a State election is looming later this year. Hopefull, the “commish” will stick to operational matters.
While there are legitimate media demands made on police, such as obtaining information on crimes, much of this money could be seen to be used for pushing a government’s political agenda.
There’s a fine line between a commissioner being seen to promoting new crime-fighting initiatves and supporting a political agenda.
It’s an area that I will take a little more notice of, particularly in Western Australia, where a State election is looming later this year. Hopefull, the “commish” will stick to operational matters.
05 July 2008
His Grace? Hickey a dis-grace
I don't know if archbishops can be sacked. But surely the Catholic Archbishop of Perth should be, following revelations he lied about complaints made about a Catholic sect.
Hickey initially said he had not received complaints about sexual misconduct in the sect. Today, it transpires he was personally presented a report in 2000 about the sect.
In essence, he lied. An Archbishop lied.
At the end of the day, it was left to a Church spokesperson to handle the flak.
Hickey initially said he had not received complaints about sexual misconduct in the sect. Today, it transpires he was personally presented a report in 2000 about the sect.
In essence, he lied. An Archbishop lied.
At the end of the day, it was left to a Church spokesperson to handle the flak.
12 June 2008
Rudd defensive in Japan
A PR nightmare. Your Prime Minister is in Japan having high-level talks with that nation's leaders. At the media conference he gets asked about the behaviour of MP Belinda Neal, who allegedly has threatened restaurant staff and also been found guilty of kicking an opponent (while she was on the ground) during a soccer game.
Incredible. What must the Japanese think of us?
Rudd at least phoned her, presumably dressing her down and saying she had to get anger-management conselling. Not good enough in my books. Hardly decisive. But he can't run the risk of putting half of his cabinet off side.
In reality Neal should be sacked, except that it would only be from the Labor Party and not from parliament – more's the pity.
Neal certainly has an image (PR) problem, apart from her behaviour. It seems she has a constant scowl on her face. Her language and intonation sound like they belong on the backstreets of the roughest neighbourhood.
What politicians don't get it that people want firm leadership. If it was you or I assaulting someone, then allegedly abusing and threatening workers we'd be on a hiding to nothing from our employer and the law.
Honestly. What federal parliamentarian kicks someone when they're on the ground?
These are the little incidents that mount and can contribute to a government's undoing. People DO pay attention.
Incredible. What must the Japanese think of us?
Rudd at least phoned her, presumably dressing her down and saying she had to get anger-management conselling. Not good enough in my books. Hardly decisive. But he can't run the risk of putting half of his cabinet off side.
In reality Neal should be sacked, except that it would only be from the Labor Party and not from parliament – more's the pity.
Neal certainly has an image (PR) problem, apart from her behaviour. It seems she has a constant scowl on her face. Her language and intonation sound like they belong on the backstreets of the roughest neighbourhood.
What politicians don't get it that people want firm leadership. If it was you or I assaulting someone, then allegedly abusing and threatening workers we'd be on a hiding to nothing from our employer and the law.
Honestly. What federal parliamentarian kicks someone when they're on the ground?
These are the little incidents that mount and can contribute to a government's undoing. People DO pay attention.
08 June 2008
Alcohol industry kidding itself
The Australian alcohol industry had the temerity this week to ask the Federal Government to conduct a campaign to educate parents about teenage drinking.
While governments have a role to play in this area, if anyone should be conducting the campaign it's the industry. They're the ones making wads of money from the product.
Other blogs at the PR Lab http://www.prlab.com.au
While governments have a role to play in this area, if anyone should be conducting the campaign it's the industry. They're the ones making wads of money from the product.
Other blogs at the PR Lab http://www.prlab.com.au
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