On Monday, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich thought he’d hit the media circuits to clear his name, not to mention Monday was also his trial in the Senate. On Monday alone, he appeared on ABC’s “Good Morning America” and “The View” followed by a night appearance on CNN’s “Larry King Live.” Well, this can be a wonderful PR tool, but come on the guy was caught red-handed on the phone cursing and talking about who could be the highest bidder for Barack Obama’s seat. He claims he has done nothing wrong, but yet he’s recorded naming off people who’d pay a high enough price for President Obama’s former U.S. Senate seat.
As PR students we are taught to be honest and transparent, but with some of Blagojevich’s claims, can we really say that he and whoever is his PR agent are being honest and transparent? Well, I can’t say for sure, but there is definitely some fishiness about how he’s counter attacking the Illinois legislature. I mean, come on, the man’s head defense attorney quit stating that he can’t make a client do anything, but he does require them to listen to his advice. Regardless of whether he’s innocent or not, it looks bad for your lawyer to quit on you in the heat of things.
Now the second term governor has hired a PR firm to help him. He hired The Publicity Firm, which did PR for Drew Peterson who was suspected in the disappearance of his fourth wife. According to a chicagobreakingnews.com article, the firm specializes in crisis management. From what I remember, they didn’t do that great of a job for his image. Do you think he’s getting good help? I don’t think I can answer yes to that question. I understand they’re attempting a counter attack on the Illinois legislature by doing a media blitz and claiming his innocence, but seriously, what PR firm do you know would let their client go everywhere saying whatever he pleases. Maybe their advising him to do so; I don’t know, but I can’t say I’d advise him to do the same. Successful PR does not include any of this.
I’d definitely tell him to keep a low profile and only say stuff that makes sense because right now he seems like a mad man. And when he speaks, I would tell him to change his tone. Tone has a lot to do with how your public may perceive you. Right now he shouts angrily, and he looks guilty. Oh yeah, I’d also advise him to do something with that hair. Big hair went out in the ‘80s dude!
As a PR professional, what would you advise Blagojevich to do?
- Marlon Williams