Yes. Nancy Grace seems to be fast in making conclusions and individual judgements. From the cases cited, Nancy seems naïve in the legal field and the way she manages vital information is extremely unprofessional. Grace used the murder of her college fiancée by a coworker to gather popularity and fame among the general public. Without even waiting for the official investigation reports to be broadcasted, she even reported that a random stranger was behind the incident. Nancy Grace doesn’t seem affected by the murder and her persistent cries for truth and justice are all in a bid to attract media attention and make her famous. Nancy Grace has a loose tongue and she shared confidential information openly in public. Her immature conclusions and publicity of sensitive information led to the death of many convicted people (Bennett, 2014).
What were the public relations implications for Grace’s network, HLN, with respect to its outspoken lawyer?
Grace’s network, Headline News ruined its public relations. The general public eventually learnt of Grace’s loose tongue and judgmental nature and developed a negative perception towards the network (Bennett, 2014). Grace was named the one-woman judge who required no evidence to prosecute but rather used her personal instincts and beliefs. The network went completely against the American standard that holds that a convict will remain innocent until he/she is proven guilty. However, Nancy Grace was unperturbed by this and showed neither mortification nor remorse for her actions. She in turn used the fame and popularity gathered to compete in the Dancing with the Stars show and further portrayed to the public her telltale nature by exposing her nipple.
What do you think of McDonald’s social media strategy in general?
I think McDonald’s social media strategy is a great leap in moving the business forward. The use of social media reaches out to more audience than conventional means would. People in the 21st century are largely involved with the internet and most of the activities even in the work environment are internet based. McDonald’s idea of using video campaigns and twitter hashtags as well as bloggers will reach out to many people irrespective of the geographical impediments to conventional means such as distance. I think social media allows the fast food franchiser to become more interactive with its customers and solicit for views and post-purchase feedback that may help in improving the organization. I think the use of authentic blogs where the organization does not control what the bloggers intend to post enhances credibility of the strategy at large since the views posted are credible and independent thus creating a reliable representation of the overall customers’ perception (CBS News, 2011).
How would you characterize McDonald’s handling of the racist tweet?
An effective social media strategy has a provision to keep off imposters and hackers. The racist tweet was from an imposter purporting to be the fast food franchiser McDonalds. I think the handling of the racist tweet by McDonalds was entirely professional and solved the issue. McDonalds simply stated that the tweet was against their core values and principles of operation and distanced themselves from the tweet. This professional approach allowed the public to be the judge and upon scrutiny and investigation, the toll-free number in the tweet was discovered as one belonging to their competitor, KFC. I think the handling was effective and their customers understood the stand of McDonald’s on the prevalent issue of racism.
What would you have done differently relative to the #McDStories controversy?
I would have started a pararrel hashtag that focused on the positive aspects from McDonald’s that customers may have experienced. A hashtag like #whyilikeMcDonals’s would be appropriate. The social media controversy was an effect of uninformed public who were easily swayed to focusing on the negative side of McDonald’s by people of ill will (CBS News, 2011). Pulling down the #McDStories was a good move. Social media aspects such as hashtags allow public participation of both the loyal customers and the haters to an organization. I think the competitors of McDonalds had a hand in swaying the hashtag to the negative aspects. I would thus start a more specific hashtag to remedy the ruined public perception of the McDonalds.
How would you have advised James Taranto to word his tweet about the Colorado massacre?
I think James Taranto made a mistake. However much justification he may have for his tweet, the idea of him questioning the girlfriends’ loyalty to their now dead boyfriends can never be evaded. The boyfriends’ act of putting themselves in the line of fire and dying to save their girlfriends is heroic. The last thing that the girlfriends to the deceased men wanted is someone questioning their loyalty. James Taranto would have framed his tweet in a friendlier manner. The major idea that James wanted was to underscore the brave men who were killed by the shooter in Movie Theater at Colorado (Timothy, 2012). The tweet should have praised the men for their selfless acts and courage and also comforted the bereaved girlfriends for their loss. The men must have had loyal relationships with the girlfriends and thus the question of loyalty should never have risen. I would have advised James to frame the tweet to read, “Hail to the brave men at Colorado. May their girlfriends and family find comfort throughout this hard time.” At least this praises the men for their actions and wishes that the bereaved family and friends find solace and comfort as they get over the tragic loss of their loved ones.
In what ways do you feel UNICEF was successful in achieving the following? Please be specific.
Making the media aware of the UNICEF program so they can, in turn, disseminate information to the public.
The setting up of a partnership with the media houses for children’s rights made the media aware of the plight of the Nigerian child. Homegrown media houses as well as international ones were invited for field visits and interviews to gather firsthand information on the challenges facing children in Nigeria. These involvement with the children made the media aware of the rights and freedoms that were being violated and what UNICEF intended to remedy. The assessment of the problem at grassroots allowed the media to communicate to the public findings that they have collected and are witness to (UNICEF, 2001).
Increasing advocacy for the needs and rights of children
UNICEF achieved this by setting up annual special events such as Day of the African Child, Labor Day and National Children’s Day. These special events allowed UNICEF and the general public to have a gathering where the need to uphold the rights of the children would be emphasized (National Planning Commission, 2001). The special events also enlightened the children on their rights thus increasing chances of them reporting abuse to the authorities. The events educated the public on the demerits of child abuse and the members of good will eventually became ambassadors for advocating for the needs and rights of the African child.
Attracting and gaining international support.
Winning the support of the government.
References
Bennett, L, Gershman. Nancy Grace Lies Again – And May Have to Pay for It. THE HUFFINGTON POST, 17th May, 2014. Accessed on 18 August 2016 from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bennett-l-gershman/nancy-grace-lies-again-an_b_4959451.html
CBS News. McDonald’s racist twitter message was a hoax. CBS NEWS, 15th June, 2011. Accessed on 18th August, 2016 from http://www.cbsnews.com/news/mcdonalds-racist-twitter-message-was-hoax/
National Planning Commission, Abuja, and UNICEF Nigeria. (2001) Children’s and Women’s Rights in Nigeria: A Wake-Up Call, Situation Assessment and Analysis. Lagos: national planning commission publishers.
Odedele, Sunday. (2003) “Maximizing Media Relations for Effective Programme Execution: The Case of UNICEF”, best practice presentation at the World Public Relations Festival, Rome, June 19-21.
Timothy Stenovec. James Taranto, WSJ Editor, Tweets Controversial Aurora Shooting Comment, Issues ‘Mea Culpa’. THE HUFFINGTON POST, 25th July, 2012. Accessed on 18 August 2016 from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/25/james-taranto-wsj-editor-tweet-aurora-shooting-girlfriends-boyfriends_n_1702217.html
UNICEF. (2001). Annual report UNICEF, Lagos, Nigeria. Accessed on 18th august, 2016. From unicef.org
