Inaugural Plog

You may well ask what a Plog is, well it's a PR Blog - a Plog. In the age of coining new words, I feel no compunction but to follow suit.

The theme of this Plog will be varied, but the underlying message will be the same....'Never believe your own PR!' Something I have believed in for years and seen it happen often. With disastrous results.

I will use this Plog to comment, make you laugh, and hopefully share some interesting experiences to enrich your life, in the delicate business of managing other people's public perceptions and your own.

Every day we see what happens when you start believing and acting upon, what the media or public says, feels or perceives about you or your client. Fortunes and reputations have been made and lost in this way since time began.

2009 was a year brimming with fine examples from all quarters....Tiger, Khanye, The White House gatecrashers, Serena, Balloon Boy's parents, Shaq, the Banks, the Auto Industry, Levi Johnson, the Mortage Industry and Wall Street to name a few.

All believed their own PR. They lost complete perspective of who exactly they really were and became someone or something that was impenetrable, untouchable and often above the law. All had dismal failure. And the failure was often perpetuated by poor counsel, knee-jerk reaction and just plain stupidity.

Everyone is defined by their surroundings, reputation, social standing, education and ultimately their intelligence and self respect. However when these are stripped away, what is left?

So the mantra of this Plog will be ; 'Never, ever believe your own PR and if you do, you do so at your peril!' I endeavor to keep some perspective in these matters...see you back at this Plogspot soon.