Take the Valley PR challenge

By Len Gutman on May 26th, 2009 In Advice

crowThis morning I was reading about the upcoming PR battle over President Obama’s selection for the supreme court and it got me thinking about what are some of the biggest local PR challenges. Who would you take on as a client?

Sheriff Joe — He’s a live wire who has a long history of controversy. Is he America’s toughest sheriff or a racial profiling jackass? How would you go about fixing his reputation from a PR perspective?

Sir Charles — A basketball legend with a loud mouth and a recent drunk driving arrest. Is his reputation ruined or can he again become the Valley’s favorite colorful sports star?

Michael Crow — He leads one of the largest universities in the nation but he’s struggling with budget issues, potential campus closures and a very public presidential snub. Can he win back students and alumni?

John McCain — Former darling of the American right, he’s now a political liability for his party and maybe even a “has-been” in Arizona politics where he has ruled for decades. Is his senate seat up for grabs or can he restore his populist appeal?

What do you think? Anyone else come to mind? Who has the biggest PR challenge in the Valley and who would you be willing to take on as a client?

Personally I’d take Michael Crow. ASU may still have a party school reputation, but it’s highly visible and does in fact have a solid academic reputation among those who know what lies beneath the sun and fun veneer. Crow indeed has a terrible reputation as a stuffed academic shirt who does not connect with either the community or the students. That can be fixed with some high profile public events and some back to basics student engagement (I’d start by having him regularly eat lunch with students on campus and at popular area eateries). Reputation building starts at home and then extends outward. Crow needs to connect with people at ASU, then the community, and then things will improve nationally on their own.

Take the Valley PR challenge

Comments

Kathy Kerchner Says:
May 26th, 2009 at 10:25 am

I would probably take Crow too. But as an interesting side note: at the D-backs game yesterday, the camera focused in on John McCain who was sitting next to Ken Kendricks. There was huge applause for him when the announcer said his name, so much so that he finally stood up and waved. I would never count out John McCain.

barry Kluger Says:
May 26th, 2009 at 11:06 am

Sir Charles in a heart beat. “heroes” fall and rise again and people are forgiving if the person is truly regretful.the public must be convinced they are sorry they did what they did,not sorry they got caught. For all the good in entertainment, sports and local charities,an act of bad behavior can ruin it all. It’s a long road back but it’s doable.and a challenge.

Dan Wool Says:
May 26th, 2009 at 2:22 pm

Mike Tyson

Tyler Hurst Says:
May 26th, 2009 at 2:57 pm

Probably this guy: http://twitterskeev.com/

If not, Crow. He has a helluva more working for him and ASU growing is more important to this state than anything else at this point. No bad ever came from too much education.

Caitie Quick Says:
May 26th, 2009 at 4:24 pm

Crow in a heart beat. He seems willing to try and change his reputation, and I feel like people would see his efforts as sincere, where as with Arpaio or even Sir Charles, people may see it as a publicity stunt.

Linnea Maxwell Says:
June 3rd, 2009 at 12:05 pm

I doubt that Sir Charles or Sheriff Joe would accept or act on the counsel of any of us. Sir Charles because he’s going to continue being Charles, no matter whether he is being charming or being arrested. Sheriff Joe because he likes his image the way it is and he gets plenty of media attention for it.

I have seen Michael Crow shaking hands at a football game, and I think he tries to be conscious of his image. The only way he can win the hearts and minds of alumni and supporters is with financial stability and PR won’t be enough to solve the budget crisis.

That leaves McCain, who will always have his war hero status to generate goodwill. It will never go away, no matter what else he does. He could use some help with branding and positioning, but unless a new superstar emerges to run against him, his Senate seat is probably safe.

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