Ah, what would we do without Herman Cain and Rick Perry and their PR mishaps? They both should know better, At least Rick Perry made fun of himself, though I am not sure that is a source of comfort nor does it instill a sense of confidence for a presidential candidate.
Herman Cain just doesn’t get it – I mean he really doesn’t get it – I mean he really doesn’t know what he is talking about. His most recent pause when discussing Libya was painful to watch. This lapse, on top of the harassment accusations, is rich soil for PR professionals, news professionals, and comedians.
If you really think about it, aspiring politicians are faced with the same central task as marketing pros selling or launching a product – it is about brand building and developing brand loyalty. PR, social or traditional is fundamental to that task. There is the logo, the packaging, the online support, and print ads. But perhaps, nothing is as important as public relations. (more…)