Club PR and Lazy Journalism

[Ed the Wool]

Been thinking about something Stevie H said in another thread regarding the way the press in this country now operates. 85% of stories are PR push. Newspapers and media outlets print what they are given without really doing anything.

 

The club's PR and dealings with the media on here have been criticised by some. Until I heard that stat, I was very much of the view that we treat the press with contempt and give them nothing. But I think that stat has changed my view a little.

 

The question I've been mulling the last week or so is, 'Is the way we are treated in the press, by Sky etc driven by an anti Liverpool agenda or is it in part down to the antiquated way the club are dealing with the media'

 

We know journalists and media outlets are lazy. We know the quality of their analysis is quite frankly primary school much of the time (Look at Holt and the Terry thing, he didn't look ready for a GCSE exam let alone being a head sports writer).

 

But are we feeding this by not leading and only fighting rearguard actions? What are the solutions?

 

 

Not sure which thread to put this in, mods feel free to move.

[richwilks]

Been thinking about something Stevie H said in another thread regarding the way the press in this country now operates. 85% of stories are PR push. Newspapers and media outlets print what they are given without really doing anything.

 

The club's PR and dealings with the media on here have been criticised by some. Until I heard that stat, I was very much of the view that we treat the press with contempt and give them nothing. But I think that stat has changed my view a little.

 

The question I've been mulling the last week or so is, 'Is the way we are treated in the press, by Sky etc driven by an anti Liverpool agenda or is it in part down to the antiquated way the club are dealing with the media'

 

We know journalists and media outlets are lazy. We know the quality of their analysis is quite frankly primary school much of the time (Look at Holt and the Terry thing, he didn't look ready for a GCSE exam let alone being a head sports writer).

 

But are we feeding this by not leading and only fighting rearguard actions? What are the solutions?

 

 

Not sure which thread to put this in, mods feel free to move.

 

The trouble is that we had a Spanish guy in charge who didn't want to embrace the media and our current manager shows a clear disdain for them. By contrast when Hodgson was in charge negative press was far less despite poor results and performances.

[abc]

The club's official website linking to news articles about transfer rumours is just silly...

 

Agree that there needs to be a better way of handling the media though.

 

Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer...?

[Falconhoof]

First step should be a discussion about whether it matters what the press print.

Does it matter enough that the club should employ someone to manage our news coverage?

 

I don't know myself, would be interested if anyone can make a strong case for it.

[Rimbeux]

You make their job easier for them, either by access or giving good copy and you're bound to get a favourable ride, it's basic human nature. Football has been operating on PR push for ages, if it's Ferguson reaching a ref or a rival manager, managers, players, agents and clubs planting transfer stories, or the more obvious stuff like Rafa calling out Ferguson. Rarely do we see anything other than this or match reports/incidents.

[Grover]

Grovers Tactical Manifesto should has its own column, perhaps after I have refined it slightly. I feel I have a lot to offer the wider football community.

[Ed the Wool]

First step should be a discussion about whether it matters what the press print.

Does it matter enough that the club should employ someone to manage our news coverage?

 

I don't know myself, would be interested if anyone can make a strong case for it.

 

I'd like to think it doesn't matter what the press print. I'd like to say f*** them. But in modern football there's image, brand, sponsorship that has to be factored into that. I've come to the conclusion that it's a less of two evils scenario and we have to be doing something.

 

Where I'm coming out at is, if we aren't actively setting an agenda, they'll print what they like. Of course there will always be an element of that anyway, but you have to do what you can to mitigate it. Hand it to them on a plate, they'll print it. Give them nothing, especially if someone is giving them the opposite view, they'll print that at the very least.

 

But if we'd been shoving story after story at them, good copy, well written, explaining the Suarez stance, pointing out Evra's history, would it have turned into the one sided witch hunt it did?

 

My gut feeling is Utd had a much more sophisticated machine in place. I don't know if other clubs do as well, but I think they do. That may well contribute to why they are given such an easy ride in the press. It's because they are writing it all.

[smithdown]

Well, the thing is, as I see it, we are currently supporting a fight that is going through parliament that aims to expose a cover up which was facilitated by the print media and has barely been skimmed through by an enterprising editor or football reporter since.

 

Oh f*ck me they seem to be going for us?

 

Balls to this PR lark at this stage of the game. They had their chance, they owe us and all the holts and all the c*nts who keep giving it to Kenny on the sly with their 'undoubtedly he showed a lot of dignity over Hillsborough (which you can read all about when I give it a column on the anniversary again but do f*Ck all to name names or upset anyone important) but now he looks diminished, less of a man than I am sat here texting my old mate kelvin...'

 

F*ck the lot of them. We'll survive without their favours.

Edited January 23, 2012 by smithdown

[Gomez]

The trouble is that we had a Spanish guy in charge who didn't want to embrace the media and our current manager shows a clear disdain for them. By contrast when Hodgson was in charge negative press was far less despite poor results and performances.

 

We got a negative press under RFH, it was just that he was excused that negativity. His failures and limitations where not his, they were the fans fault, the players fault, the previous managers fault, Kenny's fault (presumably for not moving to tibet the minute RFH got the job) 'We' got just as much negative press as usual.

 

Does it matter? Of course it does. Like it or not the overwhelming majority of our fans follow us through the media. The overwhelming majority of potential new fans will be drawn to their club via the media.

 

That's before you even get to influencing decisions such as choice of referees, player punishments etc. The Suarez case was fought and lost entirely in the media, whilst we thought we could fight it in the facts.

Edited January 23, 2012 by Gomez

[abc]

Don't forget that the media got Rafa the sack, and got Hodgson a job at Liverpool.

 

They are powerful, make no mistake.

 

For every thoughtful and reasonable fan, there are about 500 who are ignorant (probably through no fault of their own) and rely on what the media say to "educate" them about the game.

[Ethan]

Do yourself a favour and don't read it

 

I took the decision to stop following pretty much all English journos and a couple of those bloggers like Andy Heaton and Brian Durand cos their obsession on constantly RT Manc WUMs while figting their crusades was getting boring as f***

[Ed the Wool]

Don't forget that the media got Rafa the sack, and got Hodgson a job at Liverpool.

 

They are powerful, make no mistake.

 

For every thoughtful and reasonable fan, there are about 500 who are ignorant (probably through no fault of their own) and rely on what the media say to "educate" them about the game.

 

I think Purslow and possibly a couple of senior players are really responsible for that, whether they were egged on by the media or influenced by it I think I'd basically agree.

[dorgie]

When results on the pitch are poor, the whole club is vulnerable to any attack from the media.

 

It's a lot easier for the club to defend itself when things are going well on the pitch.

 

Unfortunately, throughout the last 2 months when the club were being attacked, results weren't great (and the 2 things may not be entirely unrelated).

 

If we get to CC final and beat the Mancs next Saturday, Kenny, and the club, will be in a lot stronger position to be listened to.

 

The whole club is crying out for a 5 or 6 match winning run.

Edited January 23, 2012 by dorgie

[Billy Dane]

I think Purslow and possibly a couple of senior players are really responsible for that, whether they were egged on by the media or influenced by it I think I'd basically agree.

 

Broughton tried to justify Rafa's sacking by pointing to the reaction of the media who, to a man, applauded the decision. I think it's foolish to ignore the influence the media has on the average joe on the street, which is why the political parties were all so keen to jump int bed with Murdoch. Most people are too lazy to form an opinion of their own based on facts and will happily swallow the spin from the media.

 

We can do more to put the spin WE want on the news.

[New York Red]

First step should be a discussion about whether it matters what the press print.

Does it matter enough that the club should employ someone to manage our news coverage?

 

I don't know myself, would be interested if anyone can make a strong case for it.

 

The Suarez situation was a perfect illustration of why they do matter. They distorted the truth big time. Good relaionships with them can never hurt no matter how much you despise them in reality.

[Nebraska Red]

When results on the pitch are poor, the whole club is vulnerable to any attack from the media.

 

It's a lot easier for the club to defend itself when things are going well on the pitch.

 

Unfortunately, throughout the last 2 months when the club were being attacked, results weren't great (and the 2 things may not be entirely unrelated).

 

If we get to CC final and beat the Mancs next Saturday, Kenny, and the club, will be in a lot stronger position to be listened to.

 

The whole club is crying out for a 5 or 6 match winning run.

 

 

I totally agree with this thought.

 

We are an easy target based on past history and reputation, monies spent on players, recent events and current form.

 

The media has a nice easy target and we can't fight back in the press, it has to be done on the pitch.

 

Give the c**** nothing negative to write about and they'll piss off and crucify some other under performing club.

 

A few good wins, a decent signing or 2 and we will be fine.

[Falconhoof]

The Suarez situation was a perfect illustration of why they do matter. They distorted the truth big time. Good relaionships with them can never hurt no matter how much you despise them in reality.

 

The Suarez situation shows more strongly that the fa is unaccountable and self serving. They were giving that verdict whether the press reported it their way (which they did) or if they had been more careful and more investigative.

It hasn't been pleasant to read the stories about the Suarez case, but what I'm questioning is how far that goes. As far as I can tell, people overseas, particularly in Latin American countries, have viewed the fa stance with derision. That's if they are even aware of what's happened.

If other parts of the world have been turned against the club and we have lost sponsorships or fans then I'd like to see some evidence here. I think the only place this has made any real news impact is on these shores and I have to question what effect that has. Beyond the ban, in the realm of PR what day to day impact has what the press have written about Luis and Vera had on the club? What effect can we expect going forward ? Conceding goals ? Attendances dwindling? Revenue dropping ?

[Bailo]

The media influences decisions on the pitch in favour of their 'mates' (see 'Respect' campaign, Rooney's protection, Suarez's gesture, two-footed tackles). They also influence the FA's governance. Ergo, we need to have them onside.

 

We've been playing the angry outsider for too long, it's hurting us.

[D.Boon]

First step should be a discussion about whether it matters what the press print.

Does it matter enough that the club should employ someone to manage our news coverage?

 

I don't know myself, would be interested if anyone can make a strong case for it.

 

Spot on. And if people give a f*** perhaps they could stop reading and watching the offenders. Its not hard is it.

 

Don't forget that the media got Rafa the sack,

 

No they didn't. Now this is sensastionalist b******s.

[Flasher]

I totally agree with this thought.

 

We are an easy target based on past history and reputation, monies spent on players, recent events and current form.

 

The media has a nice easy target and we can't fight back in the press, it has to be done on the pitch.

 

Give the c**** nothing negative to write about and they'll piss off and crucify some other under performing club.

 

A few good wins, a decent signing or 2 and we will be fine.

 

Whilst it might feel good to say that and adopt that attitude, it's incredibly naive.

 

There may be many reasons why journalists choose to right s*** about us, but the most influential reason (I believe this 100%) is becuase we give them nothing. Kenny doesn't, Rafa didn't.

 

Morally, that's sound. If you don't care what the press write, then fair enough, but I don't believe for one minute that the press does not have an affect on the mood in our camp.

 

From Liverpool Football Club's point of view and everything it stands for, our PR is spot on. From the PR industry's point of view, it is crap. From the media's/journalist's point of view, it's also crap.

 

Rafa has been very well treated since he went on a PR offensive and opened up to the press. This says it all in my eyes.

[D.Boon]

Perhaps an LFC blazer badge and pen for every journalist at press conferences, a nice buffet before or after. If we work really hard they might write nice things about us for our fans in Malaysia.

[Ed the Wool]

Perhaps an LFC blazer badge and pen for every journalist at press conferences, a nice buffet before or after. If we work really hard they might write nice things about us for our fans in Malaysia.

 

You call someone elses post 'sensationalist b******s, and then write that.

 

I don't think anyone is suggesting we suck up to them. We need to tell them what to think, because that's how it seems to work these days.

[D.Boon]

You call someone elses post 'sensationalist b******s, and then write that.

 

I don't think anyone is suggesting we suck up to them. We need to tell them what to think, because that's how it seems to work these days.

 

All i see is people getting upset at criticism in the press, and stamping their feet at it, because they don't like it. I guarantee you when we start smashing teams and winning stuff again the criticism will subside and all these influenced, glory hunting, new fans will follow us anyway.

[Falconhoof]

 

Rafa has been very well treated since he went on a PR offensive and opened up to the press. This says it all in my eyes.

 

Rafa simply isn't a target while he's unemployed.

[torn]

The question I've been mulling the last week or so is, 'Is the way we are treated in the press, by Sky etc driven by an anti Liverpool agenda or is it in part down to the antiquated way the club are dealing with the media'

Probably both. A good PR would get the Journos supporting us rather than attacking us. This is clearly lacking, with some minor exceptions (The Times).