wallydownundy

A few weeks back USA media commentator Rachel Maddow aired a segment about AIG and their use of public relations firms (see 11 March blog posting). She then chose to closely examine the track record of one of the firms that AIG uses. The segment led to a letter being issued by that firm’s CEO to all employees. And…you guessed it…another segment on The Rachel Maddow Show.

Here’s the dig. Rachel’s show is really popular. She’s a ratings star, according to Wikipedia:

Since its debut, the (Rachel Maddow) show has topped Countdown as the highest rated show on MSNBC on several occasions. After being on air for a little over a month, Maddow’s program doubled the audience for MSNBC’s 9PM hour.

Clearly Rachel Maddow has made attempts to speak to the public relations firm in question. This is exactly the type of appearance the CEO should have accepted. By failing to engage the conversation is one-way. Rachel is in control. She’d no doubt enjoy a fiery debate with an well-versed professional. Instead she was denied the chance and the story ran another day.

Lesson? Is it “do as I say, not as I do” for clients of that agency?