Technorati tags: Web 2.0, PR, Blogs, Websites, Public Relations, Marketing, Advertising, Media
Pick of the Orchard 2.27.06
Hyatt Eats At Denny’s; Flack Gets Gas
From the AP:
A conference sponsored by a group that argues whites are superior to blacks is being held this weekend at the Dulles Hyatt, prompting criticism of the hotel chain for hosting the event.
The American Renaissance conference is being held at the hotel in Herndon. It’s sponsored by the New Century Foundation, based in Oakton. Its leader, Jared Taylor [pictured], says the white race is losing its identity in America due to multiculturalism and immigration…
A group of student activists at George Mason University has tried unsuccessfully to get the Hyatt to shut its doors to the conference, which it has hosted in previous years…
Hyatt spokeswoman Lori Armon said the opinions of those at American Renaissance don’t necessarily reflect those of Hyatt Dulles or its parent company. But she says the company does not “discriminate against guests or organizations with which our guests are affiliated.”
We’re not sure that Hyatt did anything wrong here; as long as a group is nonviolent, it’s pretty tricky to begin excluding organizations on the basis of their views, however repugnant.
But it’s a different story when protesters make it a PR issue.
We predict American Renaissance will have its event somewhere else next year — as long as the George Mason students keep up the pressure. And that’s fine; it’s what peaceful protest is all about.
(Oh, and as for the Denny’s reference — we know it’s not analogous, but at least it’s gratuitious.)
Technorati tags: PR, Public Relations, Marketing
Media Orchard Appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Sprint
Here’s the pitch. Kevin and Todd, you decide on the quality. We’ll probably try it out.
Just curious who else is doing this?
Hi,
The Sprint Ambassador Team recently visited Ideagrove.com and wants to invite you to participate in our Ambassador Program.
The Sprint Ambassador Program is all about exploring our latest products and services and allows you to give direct feedback to Sprint. We recently launched the Sprint Power Vision (SM) Network and want to provide you with the full experience, at no charge. Sprint Power Vision Network enables customers to download data at faster speeds and experience new data products.
So what’s the deal?
As a qualified participant, we will send you one Sprint Power Vision phone and provide you with six months of all-access service (at no charge). You’ll have access to the Sprint Music Store(SM) live TV broadcasts, gaming and more. Yes, you will also have unlimited free calling and data service. It’s a pretty good deal and all we ask for in return is your candid feedback (you decide how much and how often).
Register at: http://ambassador.sprint.com/
You will need your unique registration code: [noneya]If you have questions regarding the registration process or the program, please email us at AmbassadorProgram@sprint.com
We look forward to receiving your registration!
The Sprint Ambassador Team
Technorati tags: Sprint, Public Relations, Marketing
Good-n-Dumb: Time for Vince Young’s Agent to Turn on the Spin
Major Adams is going to have to do a lot of fast talking to keep Rose Bowl hero Vince Young at the top of the NFL’s draft board. From reports:
Texas quarterback Vince Young, whose agent is Major Adams (wasn’t he the guy on “Wagon Train”?), decided not to throw, run or pick up any heavy pieces of metal at the Indianapolis combine. For one thing, he is currently working on improving his throwing mechanics, which have some pro scouts wary. For another, his Rose Bowl performance for the ages isn’t a bad place to stop.
And here’s the killer:
The stunning news of the day from the combine revolved around Texas quarterback and Rose Bowl hero Vince Young.
Young, who led the Longhorns to the national championship with a great performance against USC, scored only a 6 on the Wonderlic aptitude examination. The 50-question, 12-minute exam has a maximum score of 50 points. Although several players usually score in single-digits each year, it is highly unusual for quarterbacks to score that low.
Several NFL team executives confirmed Young’s score, which could hurt his draft status.
Ouch.
Update: John Wagner points to this report, which says the original reports on Young’s score were inaccurate.
Technorati tags: PR, Public Relations, Vince Young
Is Mark Cuban the Paris Hilton of the Forbes 400?
We don’t know, but at least one Blog Maverick commenter thinks so after Cuban today offered rival Donald Trump $1 million to “pull a rubber glove completely over his head and blow it up” on NBC’s Deal or No Deal.
What can you say about Cuban? He obviously wants attention; it makes him happy. And he’s able to get the attention he wants.
Same for Paris Hilton. Is it her fault people snap up every magazine she appears in at the newsstand? Nope. As assiduously as Hilton’s rapidly changing band of publicists work, there are lots of other publicists working just as hard to come up with six inches in Life & Style for some Paris also-ran.
That’s why neither Cuban nor Hilton will be making Media Orchard’s list of the “Five Most Attention-Starved Celebrities,” which we’ll be unveiling later this week. If you have a suggestion for the list, please e-mail us.