AstroTurf has no roots

AstroTurf has some serious perils (or so says my football-playing little brother). Falling on real grass can result in some grass stains and maybe even some mud stains, but falling on AstroTurf can result in a nasty rug-burn-like scrape known as turf-burn.

DC lobbyists and legislators are suffering from a little turf-burn of their own these days. In the political world, the term “astroturf” is a play on the oft-used term grassroots, and refers to corporate-funded PR efforts to stage the appearance of grassroots support when, in reality, community support is lacking.

In this scenario letters supposedly written by the NAACP and American Association of University Women in opposition to climate change legislation were actually traced back to a DC lobbying firm.

Here at SE2 we’re big supporters of grassroots advocacy campaigns, and we pride ourselves on a track record of good work with community-based coalitions that has led to significant political and legislative victories. But we shy away from requests to prop up political support if it means resorting to AstroTurf.

Moral of the story: In all its green, fake-grassy glory, AstroTurf inflicts scars that grass(roots) would never leave.

Reform Isn’t Enough: New School Growth Requires Public Support

SE2 has released a white paper, “Reform Isn’t Enough: New School Growth Requires Public Support,” which argues that strategies to build public support and demand for high-quality new schools should be part of school reform.

Successful school reform is an issue close to the heart for many of us at SE2. We’ve had the opportunity to work with clients and volunteer our time at a number of organizations that focus on improving school performance.

“Reform Isn’t Enough: New School Growth Requires Public Support” uses a communications lens to examine how to take what so many insiders already know – that high-performing, and often new, schools can efficiently and effectively increase student performance – and get this information to the families and communities who would benefit from it most. Access to these schools, along with useful data about school performance, can be the winning ticket for students. But if that knowledge and data never reach the people who make decisions about where students go to school, then it only impacts a lucky few.

We hope “Reform Isn’t Enough: New School Growth Requires Public Support” helps to engage a conversation about how intentional communications and outreach can accelerate and spread effective school reform across Colorado.

SE2’s PR 101 Tips for Balloon Boy Family

1. Credibility matters. If this whole embarrassing debacle was truly not a publicity stunt, don’t spend your first 24 hours being interviewed on every possible national news program.
2. Emergency calls first. Then media calls. (9-1-1 before 9News.)
3. Pick the right spokesperson. In 99 percent of cases, this should not be a six year old. They have an unfortunate tendency to tell the truth.
4. Appearances matter. When your parenting skills are under scrutiny, put your puking son to bed…not on the Today Show.
5. Practice, practice, practice. The “I’m Sorry I Yelled at Him” moment must appear heartfelt. Reality TV only works when it looks real.
6. Know any vulnerability that might make you appear batshit crazy (i.e. Wife Swap appearances, You Tube videos, 20-foot flying saucer balloon “crafts”.)

Happy Monday, People.

Maybe I'm just giddy about the Broncos' big win or perhaps this reflects my secret desire to break into the music video biz. Whatever. I felt like it had to be shared.

Our Drug of Choice

Last week, The Washington Post’s The Fix released the 2009 Fix List of the best state-based political reporters in the country.

In Colorado, top honors go to Lynn Bartels of The Denver Post and Adam Schrager of 9News. The Fix is written inside the Beltway for readers across the country who are fueled by national politics. So it’s no surprise that when aggregating a top-line political news overview, their list highlights Colorado’s top-rated TV news station and only major daily newspaper. That’s a 30,000-foot view from the nation’s capitol for an audience of busy politicos who just want a quick fix.

But when it comes to the 5,280-foot view of targeted public persuasion, we have a vast array of other ideas as well. When crafting a broader communications strategy, we look closely at the target audience, their information-gathering habits and who influences them.

For all the Denver Post/9News devotees out there, we also know people who rarely pick up a daily newspaper but wouldn’t miss their weekly Westword or El Semanario. We can point to folks who almost never turn on the TV, yet are addicted to ColoradoPols.com and EdNewsColorado.org. Others only have time and attention for Colorado Parent magazine and the elementary school newsletter.

And then there are those folks who get their news from the shiny new toy in social media, Twitter. We’ve recognized Twitter’s rising profile and are always on the watch for tools and tactics that help leverage its popularity to affect social and political change. We’ve recently discovered Follow My Government, a slice-it-and-dice-it compiling of government officials’ Twitter contacts, broken down by government body, political party or state. One click allows you to mass follow the entire segment.

While the suppliers and dealers may be different depending on the message, public persuasion is always our drug of choice.

A Picture’s Worth a Thousand Words (and Millions of Dollars)

Growing up, we loved picture books.

OK, we still do. Pictures just have…a way with words, if you will. As media and communication techniques evolve, photos, graphics and video have grown in prominence, sometimes in favor of words. In fact, we’re tempted to insert a photo of adorable puppies right here, just to hold your attention.

If video killed the radio star, Internet may end the newspaper wars. We don’t have a crystal ball to predict the future of the ink-on-newsprint industry. Luckily, we do have this neat Mint.com graphic called “The Death of the Newspaper Industry” that illustrates in easy-to-understand charts the millions of readers, advertisers and dollars in play. The graphs tell a story over time.

Everyone, including our clients, has stories to tell. Visuals and presentation can be vital in crafting the narrative around data and research. Streamlined graphic design and compelling photos can help grab the attention of the media and opinion leaders. We pride ourselves on our expert ability to tell compelling stories using a variety of mediums. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we’re off to the cineplex to see “Where the Wild Things Are” on the big screen.