Citizen Brand

Meacham's Last Stand?

I have always liked Jon Meacham, Editor of Newsweek. Now I have another reason to like him. He doesn't duck when he has incoming bombs.

Newsweek's parent company, The Washington Post, announced last week they want to sell Newsweek. Meacham, who was making the rounds talking about his new program on PBS, didn't cut and run from the media circuit. Instead he used the promotional pulpit to begin to lay out what Newsweek might have to do. In short, he said flip the business model to on-line only with a print version that is based solely on what were the most read articles on-line.

Meacham has had his critics like the Post's own Howard Kurtz. His decision to move from a digest of the week's news to a more focused publication on a single issue each week, cutting circulation and raising the price has raised more than one eyebrow. But as one supporter of the move said, the move may not be a sure bet, but it is likely the best bet for success.

But Meacham also drew a line in the sand for all of us who consume the news: If we are not willing to pay for news as we always have, then it will be a different kind of "news" that we receive. In other words, it really won't be news at all. We already see it happening.

Perhaps driving home this message, Meacham delivered the challenge on The Daily Show. A nice twist of irony me thinks.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Jon Meacham
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party

Newspapers on the computer? No way.

Thanks to Noah over at Fast Company for this prophetic look back to 1981 at a novel idea in the making. KRON-TV gets credit for the story.

Lazy media

It's funny how the media can't tell us enough about how political conventions these days are four day "infomercials" for the parties.  And yet, their coverage of them actually ends up validating them as infomercials.  The 24 hour cable networks keep repeating the same spin and punditry all day long and the three old school networks treat them as a four hour mini-series with a one hour episode each night.  Jon Stewart probably has it right.  Thanks to the Bulldog Reporter for this take on convention coverage via the host of "The Daily Show.

As Convention Coverage Locks In, Jon Stewart Hammers Mainstream Media for Lazy Campaign-Spin 'Regurgitation'

As Comedy Central's "Daily Show" descends on Denver for four days of coverage, Jon Stewart took after the "established" media for getting too cozy with candidates and regurgitating campaign spin when it comes to political coverage. In a breakfast with reporters, Stewart directed most of his ire at the 24-hour cable news networks, which he called "gerbil wheels," and said the media at-large had "abdicated" to what he called the "slow-witted beast." He said the never-ending television news cycle creates a "false sense of urgency" and forces reporters to "follow the veins that have been mined," instead of pursuing serious and in-depth reporting, CNN reports. Even as Stewart shredded reporters for, in his estimation, getting too cozy with and used by political candidates, he readily admitted that candidates flock to his show to attract his much sought after younger audience. "It's just one part of their sales pitch," he said, reports CNN political producer Sasha Johnson. Stewart said he found neither Sens. McCain or Obama particularly funny and it was "absolutely irrelevant" which one takes the White House because "the jokes will be there." He dismissed criticism that comedians are having a hard time joking about Obama because of his race and said "the age joke with McCain is somewhat meaningless because it's already trite." The choice of Joe Biden as Obama's runningmate, Stewart said, was refreshing because of the Delaware senator's large personality and endless possibility for jokes. "Biden is really nice. His style is so effusive and unguarded," Stewart said. "He's emotion plus." Stewart said politicians in recent campaigns are "animatronic" because all of the "humanity has been managed out of campaigns." He referenced the back-and-forth during the Pennsylvania Democratic primary over Obama's lack of bowling skills. "It's stunning where this election is going to be decided on," he said. "Or what we allow it to be decided on."

A Russert postscript

Thanks to one of my Barkley colleagues, Reid Stella, for pointing me to this perfect summation of what Tim Russert meant to us.  The piece is by Eugene Robinson of the Post.  Here is the link.

The question is who will take his place?  And not just in the chair on the Meet The Press set, but is their a journalist who can truly fill the Russert role?  I hope so.

Tim Russert

There is a vacuum in the world of journalism now.  Actually, it is bigger than that.  Tim Russert collapsed and died today while doing what he loved to do, preparing for another 'Meet the Press.'  It was his work on that program that he is most famous for, but in reality, he was bigger and more important than just a single television show.

What Tim Russert represented was the best of what great journalism has to offer.  He worked hard.  He was unabashedly enthusiastic about all things politics.  He was our guy.  He was representing us every Sunday morning asking the tough questions and always getting answers.  He was our guy.  He was there on election nights with straight talk about what was happening and what it meant to us.  And in this incredible election year of 2008, he had become a fixture in helping us make sense of the ins and outs, the ups and downs of this historic campaign.

I started out as a journalist and had always held up Edward R. Murrow as the gold standard.  He still is.  But in many respects, Tim Russert is the direct descendant of Murrow.  Two journalists who had only one mission - the truth.  Another great journalist, William Allen White would have loved Tim Russert.  As a member of the Board of the William Allen White Foundation, I plan on suggesting that we in some way honor him.  It would be a fitting tribute.

Thank you Tim Russert.  We can only hope that some of those you have inspired and mentored will pick up the ball that prematurely dropped out of your hand today at the young age of 58.

Horse Race Journalism

As the famous line goes - "We have seen the enemy and it is us."  We want to believe that we are paying attention to presidential candidates and their stands on issues so we can make informed and competent decisions in the voting booth.  But we can't help ourselves.  We get sucked into the "horse race."  Who is ahead in the Zogby Poll today; the New York Times poll tomorrow; and, the Nickelodeon/ESPN/O Magazine Poll due out tomorrow.....

As Super Duper Tuesday approaches, the latest national polling shows Barack Obama surging and closing the gap on Hillary Clinton.  It shows John McCain building a lead over Mitt Romney and it seems clear that Mike Huckabee is submarining Romney by splitting the "conservative" vote.

Polls are instructive.  They do give us a sense of where things stand at that moment in time.  But then we need a new poll right away to keep the buzz going....is Obama still surging?  Is McCain really starting to pull away from Romney or will the next poll tell us something different.

And so it goes.  The media serves as the drug dealer on the corner feeding the horse race frenzy.  Read this piece by Jay Rosen over at Pressthink to go a little deeper on this subject.  As you will see in Jay's piece, the media hasn't faired so well in their horse race predictions this year which has further contributed to this once or twice in a century electoral experience.  Of course the media's lack of success has also caused us no shortage of roller coaster rides as they attempt to fix their errors.  Jay points to one ray of sunshine in this exchange between Tom Brokaw and Chris Matthews on the night of the New Hampshire Primary:

"“BROKAW: You know what I think we’re going to have to do?

“MATTHEWS: Yes sir?

“BROKAW: Wait for the voters to make their judgment.

“MATTHEWS: Well what do we do then in the days before the ballot? We must stay home, I guess.”

Matthews was being the realist: Without who’s-going-to-win, “we” might as well stay home. Brokaw (now long retired as the face of the NBC brand) gave him an apt warning in response: “The people out there are going to begin to make judgments about us if we don’t begin to temper that temptation to constantly try to get ahead of what the voters are deciding.” But he was speaking as if the media had a mind and could shift course."

A novel concept indeed.....let the voters vote and then report on how they voted.

Jayhawk Journalists

Sunday, I had the privilege of making remarks at the December graduation ceremonies for the William Allen White School of Journalism & Mass Communications at KU.  Dean Ann Brill asked me earlier this year if I could make it and I enthusiastically said yes.  Following a very warm introduction by Professor Bob Basow, here is the brief speech I made to the 60 graduates plus their families, friends and faculty gathered in Woodruff Auditorium at the Student Union on the University of Kansas campus in Lawrence.

2007 William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications
December Commencement Address
December 9, 2007
Woodruff Auditorium at the Student Union
University of Kansas

Thank You:

Professor Basow – “Bob”
Dean Ann Brill
Distinguished faculty of the Journalism School
Parents, family and friends of the graduates
And most importantly – the graduates.

To say it is an honor to be standing here today is an understatement for me.  I have always been a Jayhawk.   And in the 8th grade I decided I wanted to be a broadcast journalist.

So attending the University of Kansas was a foregone conclusion, especially when I realized I would have the opportunity to attend the best Journalism School in the country.   There may be others that lay claim to that – but I truly believe it and here’s why.

Today you are graduating from a journalism school that has never simply focused on theory and philosophy.  There is plenty of that taught here as it needs to be.  But what you have gained from attending KU and the William Allen White School of Journalism is a plethora of practical applications and learnings along with the theory and philosophy.

The advantage you had by being able to apply what you are learning while still in school positions you to be successful more quickly than you might otherwise be. 

And for that you have this group of people behind me on the stage to thank.  This is a great faculty and you are the representation of their effort and time.

I stand before you today a product of this great school.  I came in with my sights set on becoming the best broadcast journalist I could be.   What I didn’t realize is that what I was really learning to do was not simply to become a reporter – but instead I was learning how to tell a good story.

I was learning how to research information – how to dig for facts.  I was learning how to take those facts and pick out the ones that mattered most to people and deliver that information.  Over the years, even though my jobs have changed – I still am doing those same basic things every day.

As William Allen White said once – “If the facts are fairly and honestly presented; the truth will take care of itself.”  That philosophy still works today even though the communications profession has changed dramatically from his day.

That is the beauty of the world you are entering.  Regardless of what you want to do first – a journalist; a marketer; a public relations professional; a webmaster; or a film maker – you are in the business of telling a good story.  A story that needs to be educational; compelling;   a story that will inform and perhaps move people to form opinions and even take some sort of action.

That is why I am as excited today about this wide open world of mass communications as I have ever been.  And you should be too – because you are now going to help shape its future.

So what would a good graduation speech be without some advice.   I have been the beneficiary of some great mentors and advisors over the years.  I will try today to give you a little of what I have learned in the hope that something will resonate with you as you head out to begin your careers.

My advice today centers around some of our core philosophies that make Barkley the kind of company it is.  These are philosophies that drive our business – philosophies that shape our relationships with each other and with our clients – and finally these are philosophies that form the foundation of our work.

As I thought about this talk today – it became clear to me that they also could form the building blocks for each of you to consider as you head out to begin the next chapter of your lives.

When you walk through our front door at Barkley right now, there is a telephone booth standing right in front of you.  I’m wondering right now if any of you have actually made a call from a telephone booth.  Next to that phone booth is a sign that espouses our core philosophy at Barkley – Every idea has an expiration date.

Think about that for a minute.   By taking the attitude that ideas can expire, it forces you to keep things fresh all the time.  What worked yesterday may not work today.  And more importantly – what is working today may not work tomorrow.    How does this apply to each of you as a new graduate?

When you land that first job – and you will land that first job – be the person who is the most curious.  Be the person who is constantly staying abreast of the latest trends.  Be the person who seeks out a mentor or two to learn as much as you can as quickly as you can.

In other words  -- keep yourself fresh and up to date – and your thinking will be fresh and up to date.  Don’t put yourself in a position where you are behind the curve or else you will be left behind in this fast paced world we live in.

My second piece of advice revolves around our brand promise to our clients.  We promise our clients that our goal for them is to make them irreplaceable to their customers.  It is not enough today for a brand to simply be relevant.  The brands that are successful today are the ones that people cannot imagine living their lives without. 

That is what you have to do when you land your first job.  And Mom and Dad – they will land their first job.  Be the person who volunteers to work on the extra project.  Be the person who organizes the social activities at work.  Be that person who is a sponge for learning the ropes of the business – who asks the extra question that everyone else in the room is afraid to ask.

It is the little things that will make you irreplaceable.  Attending to the details will allow you the opportunity to be in the room to help come up with the big ideas that can make a difference.

My final piece of advice is to always give something back to the community around you.  As Bob mentioned, we are big into cause branding at Barkley.  I’m proud of the work we are doing because it is more than simply selling another product.  We are helping to educate, inform and raise money for important causes.

And you need to be the generation that solidifies this emerging trend of corporate and nonprofit partnerships that are not only good for them but are great for society.  The beauty of giving back is that it really is up to each of us to take a small step each day to do something good for someone.  It is the cumulative impact of each of our small, individual steps that turns into a stampede of giving that makes a difference.  Get involved and stay involved as you walk off this campus.

So there you have it.  Three pieces of advice.    One --Don’t let yourself become an idea that expires. 

Two -- Make yourself irreplaceable --- not only in your work – but also to your family and friends --- and

Three -- always, always be giving something back to the rest of society.

I will end with three words.  Three words each of you have said many times in the last few years.  And three words that tie us all together wherever we go and whatever we do as alumni of the University of Kansas.  Some think it is simply a cheer.  But we know different.  It is our calling card. 

Rock Chalk – Jayhawk.

Thank you and good luck.

What happened to Lincoln and FDR?

Since we have already had most of this year to vet the candidates running to become the next President of the United States, maybe we should just go ahead and have the election now and be done with it.  Of course, that would require us to actually be ready to put one of the vast herd of senators, governors, former governors, former mayors and at least one actor and a former first lady into the White House.  And that is not something we seem ready to do yet.  Good thing we have another year.  I'm sure another year of canned sound bites and made for TV debates will clear everything up.

Think I'm sounding a bit cynical?  Guess I have to plead a little guilty.  But I wonder if we are all going to experience presidential election burnout because we do have almost a full year left before we cast votes.  Makes me wonder how far off base the story in Thursday's The Onion might be.......

"Americans Announce They're Dropping Out of the Presidential Race"

One news cycle

Back to the keyboard after a summer hiatus and it took just 45 minutes with Tuesday's New York Times  to make it happen.  Whatever page I turned to there was example after example of questionable, even unethical decisions by people and organizations.  One news cycle produced some of the worst examples of bad citizen brands I've ever seen.  Consider just a few of them:

In 2005, corporate America received huge tax breaks to bring home their offshore profits and create jobs in America.  Drug makers were the biggest winners bringing home $100 billion while paying only six percent taxes instead of the 35 percent they would have paid prior to the '05 legislation.  Any new jobs created?  Hardly.  Instead tens of thousands of people have been laid off by drug companies in the past two years.

Without even leaving the front page, we see that New York Governor Eliot Spitzer has himself in a bit of a sticky wicket.  The man who used to make Wall Street titans tremble finds himself on the defense after a couple of long time aides decided to use the New York State Police for a little political tomfoolery.  Seems the Governor's nemesis - State Senator Joe Bruno used some police helicopters for trips from Albany to New York City.  Turned out not to be a problem, but the Governor's helpers saw an opportunity and solicited the acting Superintendent of the State Police to help them make a case against Bruno.  By the way, the acting Superintendent is vying for a permanent appointment so he did what any good public servant should do - he helped try to make the case.  Anyway, given Spitzer came into office seven months ago pledging to clean up New York state government, it seems apparent he will need to start with his own staff.

Of course the sports pages these days read more like bad reality television shows.  From Michael Vick and fighting dogs to the critical question of whether or not baseball Commissioner Bud Selig will be in the stands for Barry Bonds' record home run it's amazing that sports writers still find time to report scores of games.

The perfect sports commissioner, David Stern of the National Basketball Association , has a small gambling problem.  He doesn't wager himself, but seems he has a referee who got in over his head with some betting debts and began to make some interesting calls that turned a game or two or ten.  A good betting scandal is needed every ten years or so just to purge the rookie gamblers out of the system.

And then there is poor Sergio Garcia .  I love golf and I truly love the Open Championship.  It looked like Sergio was finally going to win his first major.  He was 0 for 35 coming into the British Open.  He is now 0 for 36.  Unfortunately his major drought is apparently starting to eat away at him.  He was not the shining example of a gracious loser in the press room at Carnoustie on Sunday.  He blamed bad breaks and other golfers in front of him for losing a four stroke lead in the last 14 holes in the final round.  Golf is one sport where no one else has anything to do with the way you play the game.

A handful of news stories in one newspaper in one news cycle.  All examples of either a lack of common sense, common decency or ethical behavior.  And proof that it's time to crank up Citizen Brand again and look for some good examples.  I know they are out there.

Good to be back.

Magazines for kids II

The real power of the blogosphere is in the connections we can create.  I had one of those connections happen today.  A post I wrote on August 31, 2006 resulted today in an email exchange with John Mennell, Founding Director of MagazineLiteracy.org.  I want to share with you some of what John said to me about this incredible organization:

"Our mission is to put wonderful magazines into the hands, hearts, and homes of children and families who would otherwise not have them.  One of our greatest challenges is reaching people who then sponsor the teachers, mentors, homeless and domestic violence shelters, and other literacy agents who help children and families learn and love to read.  We need to engage and leverage every magazine and media stakeholder in the ways that they excel to reach the masses."

As I said in my earlier post, other than making sure a child has the proper nutrition each and every day, I cannot think of anything more important than for a child to be able to learn about the world around them.  Many children have access to computers today, but not all.  MagazineLiteracy.org can make sure that children have access to information through the hundreds of magazines that are published today.  Check it out.

By the way, here is how John told me this organization was founded:

"Once, over ten years ago, an executive director of a battered women's shelter wrote me to explain how children and their moms arrived at her shelter with no belongings, and how wonderful it would be to be able to give each child a magazine with their name on the label.  I held on to that letter for all the years up until reaching a point in my own life when I could launch MagazineLiteracy.org.  Now, we make the necessary connections possible by inspiring and facilitating donations from individuals, groups, and business owners that sponsor magazines to children and families. But we need to reach more people in more communities to reach our full potential."

I think John has thrown the gauntlet down.