Image is Everything

Now that the NFL owners and players have finally decided how to split up the billions of dollars the league generates every year, sports fans can turn their scorn toward the NBA players and owners, who are trying to set a new standard for sloth and indolence.

Although it is still too early to call a winner, so far it looks like the NBA players are clearly losing the battle of public perception. According to Dave D'Alessandro, who covers the NBA for the New Jersey Star Ledger, this is due to the failure of the players to clearly define their brand.

D’Alessandro writes that “The players have concluded that they’re best served by curling up in a fetal position and playing defense like the Knicks, or by essentially keeping their mouths shut until they are force-fed their inscrutable fate.” He points out that while many NBA players make significant contributions to their community, they are not doing a good job of getting that message out. Instead we see them being arrested, selling products, and hanging out with celebrities.  

Carmelo Anthony was on “Law & Order.” Amar’e Stoudemire flew to China to sell more shoes made by Indonesian hut people earning $1.25 a day. Kris Humphries was married to someone who is famous for literally doing nothing relevant.”

D’Alessandro suggests that instead of whining about how they are going to survive the lockout minus their multi-million dollar salaries (a message that 9 million unemployed Americans find hard to swallow), they should be developing community based programs that tell a more positive story about who they are and what they stand for. 

“Send each guy back to his neighborhoods once a week. Pick a day and give free clinics in every city in the U.S. Refurbish playgrounds. Look into the cameras and say, ‘As long we have all this free time, we want to help.’ Build the player equity. Demand that the union wise up and enhance the brand.

Sometimes brands need to recognize an opportunity when it presents itself. The NBA players have a chance to redefine their brand, to change the perception that they are spoiled brats and create a new brand that says we are grateful for the chance to help the world be a better place. 

If your brand is suffering from a lack of clarity or an unfavorable perception, take the time to examine that brand and determine how to better tell your story. Don’t let others determine how people see you. Make sure you tell your story before someone else tells it for you.     


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5 reasons to stop using numbers in blog titles


Every morning I get an email with a long list of blog articles about PR.  And every article starts with a number in the title, like 10 things you should know about using numbers in blog titles.

The reason people do this is because search engines like numbers and some social media genius told them it would boost their SEO. But seriously, have we not gone completely overboard with this maddening trend? Can we all just agree to stop it now?    
As a public service to help bloggers begin the healing process, here are 5 reasons to stop using numbers in your blog titles:

Using numbers in blog titles to boost your SEO is just a cheap trick. You’re better than that. You are good enough, you are smart enough, and doggone it, people like you. 


  • It’s boring. It’s a rip off of Letterman’s top 10 list and everyone does it. Dare to be different and make your point without using numbers. 
  • I know you think you are being helpful but you’re not.  Most of those tips you are telling me I already know. Tell me something I don’t know.
  • It’s phony. It sounds like you are delivering a lecture. How about delivering some wisdom instead?   
  • The next time you post an article that starts with 5 things or 10 reasons or 6 sins or 12 steps, a large, scary looking guy named Cheech will come to your house and threaten to kick the crap out of you.


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Well, that was a bit awkward but it feels good to get it off my chest. I feel better already.  As Woody Allen said in Annie Hall, now we can digest our food. 

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