Category: Public relations

Penn State and the NCAA

Posted on by Brian Lee

I’ve read a lot of columns and letters-to-the-editor calling for the NCAA to hand Penn State Athletics the death sentence. I’m against this, because why should the innocent athletes and coaches be punished? That solves absolutely nothing. Imagine your dad committed a crime, but you had to go to jail. Is that fair?

Instead, the Penn State leadership who participated in the cover-up should be–and likely will be–punished. But their punishment is beyond the reach of the NCAA.

The NCAA is making matters worse by not saying anything to the public. Its silence is causing people to reach their own conclusions about what punishment is warranted.

The NCAA should come forward and explain its limitations in this matter. I’ve never been a fan of the NCAA–for example, its supposed focus on academics is a crock–but it isn’t the bad guy here. However, its silence is stupid and baffling.

An organization that doesn’t come out ahead of the public storm only gets battered by it.

Sore loser

Posted on by Brian Lee

Please note, this is not a post about which side of the political aisle is better than the other.

Today, democrat John Lehman was sworn in as a state senator in Wisconsin. His opponent, Van Wanggaard, lost in a recall election last month but ordered a recall and then cried foul about the voting process.

In an op-ed titled “Why I asked for a recount,” Wanggaard claims “suspect activities at polling places” and “many (laws to prevent fraud) were disregarded,” among other allegations. However, he doesn’t provide any evidence, leading the GAB to dismiss his allegations.

This is a clear case of being a sore loser. What I don’t understand is why would he make up excuses? This only damages his reputation. Wanggaard obviously did not receive sound counsel on this matter.

Like other candidates who lose, he should have gracefully accepted defeat and vowed to keep fighting for the people. Who can trust him going forward after he’s shown he’s willing to lie to the world? That’s what I would tell my client.

Facebook email gaffe

Posted on by Brian Lee

How many times can Facebook screw up? It’s lucky it’s beloved by millions, because in the real world, if your company keeps agitating its customers, those customers go to your competitor.

This time around, Facebook changed users’ email to a Facebook email account without telling them. How simple would it have been for Facebook to simply send a message to all users explaining 1) the rationale behind this seemingly illogical move, 2) when it was going to happen and 3) how users can switch back to their previously used email address?

My God, this is such a simple plan! I still can’t believe it wasn’t done.

I wonder what Facebook’s next public gaffe will be? Guess we’ll have to wait a few weeks.