“Shouting fire in a crowded theatre” is a well known paraphrase of a U.S. Supreme Court decision which served as an example of the limitations on free speech, when the speech is imminently dangerous and has no conceivable purpose.   In a world where we have seen real revolutions in part because of digital media, its interesting that everyone today has digital media to amplify whatever noise they’d like to make – good or bad – and can utilize media without a filter.

Its on the backs of Wikileaks pressure by the American government to shut down – including pressuring financial companies not to process payment, threatened prosecutions and the like – that a close friend of mine for many years, Nitsana Darshan-Leitner of the Shurat HaDin Israel Law Center, is all over the media today threatening to sue Twitter for allowing terrorists to use the digital media network. Trust me, I know her – she is smart, focused and ideological – a formidable opponent raising a valid point. If the US government deems these organizations illegal and they cant raise funds – why can they amplify their message freely to Americans ?

Leitner’s organization, The Shurat HaDin Israel Law Center, is a civil rights organization dedicated to “combating the terrorist organizations and the regimes that support them through lawsuits litigated in courtrooms around the world.” They have done a lot of good worldwide to fight terrorism via lawfare – utilizing the courtroom to battle Anti-Western interests.  Hezbollah, al Qaeda affiliate al-Shabaab and others violate American law by using Twitter. A breakdown of terrorists utilizing social media is at: http://www.theatlanticwire.com/global/2012/01/most-infamous-terrorists-twitter/46852/

The ACLU says “the government can’t force private companies to censor lawful speech just because the government doesn’t like the speech or the people making the speech.” Does that mean I can go online and scream fire in a crowded theatre ? Can I behave however I want simply because I am online and hidden behind a computer screen ?

While Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently cited President Obama as believing that “the more freely information flows, the stronger societies become”, one wonders where the administration will stand if mass rioting was sparked by digital media.  UK authorities say rioters used social networks to coordinate mass civil disobedience earlier this year in London.  State prosecutors in Mexico have accused people of terrorism and sabotage by claiming that their Twitter posts helped spread false rumors about a school attack, leading to real-life violence.

Its no secret that the terrorists are public relations savvy and very concerned with brand and image.  As was recently reported, Al Qaeda is concerned about the baggage associated with that name, and is increasingly going by the name “Ansar al Sharia” because of concern about their brand. Its no secret that American PR Agencies have represented Qaddafi, Assad, and just last year Qatar hired a leading U.S. PR firm to lobby for the Hamas regime in the Gaza Strip.

Darshan-Leitner stopped the second Gaza flotilla earlier this year, and has won lawsuits against Hamas, Hizbollah and the Palestinian Authority.  I am sure Twitter’s going to be answering this one pretty soon. I’d venture that a modern “fire in a crowded theatre” discussion may be coming to a courtroom near us very soon.

Ronn Torossian is the CEO of 5WPR, a Top 25 PR Agency and has a best-selling PR book“For Immediate Release: Shape Minds, Build Brands, and Deliver Results with Game-Changing Public Relations” an Amazon best selling Public Relations book available for purchase at: http://www.amazon.com/Immediate-Release-Deliver-Game-Changing-Relations/dp/1936661160

I just shared a story at Business Insider which I’d welcome thoughts and feedback on -

http://www.businessinsider.com/the-secret-of-owning-a-pr-agency-and-writing-a-pr-book-dont-love-me-so-much-just-pick-me-up-at-the-airport-2011-9

Whether working at a PR agency or elsewhere hard work requires action & not just talk.

Ronn Torossian

5WPR

The crisis of Carnival’s “Splendor” cruise ship was apparently a malfunction that resulted in 3,300 people stuck for 72 hours with limited food, challenging hygienic conditions, and without electricity. It was no one’s fault, yet surely constitutes a Public Relations crisis for Carnival Cruise Lines. I stand up and say hats off to Carnival for how they handled the PR surrounding the crisis.

Despite countless negative headlines, it is necessary to remember that there is no amount of publicity or spin which can make a situation like this even remotely positive. Sometimes, the goal is simply to minimize the negative and, all in all, I think Carnival handled the issues fairly well – offering full refunds along with a 25 percent discount on a future cruise to a lighthearted blog post from the Senior Cruise Director: http://johnhealdsblog.com/2010/11/10/here-i-am-2.

The piece spoke not of smelling of roses, but smelling “like Paris on a hot summer’s day …that’s Paris the city not Paris the …person.” He continued with “continuous announcements from the bridge.”

It was simply an awful situation, but I strongly commend them for telling the truth and communicating via a press release and an apology from Carnival Cruise Lines’ CEO. He spoke of the challenges on the cruise ship, which are unlike any others his company has faced in its 35-year history, and made the difficult statement, “we are very, very sorry for the discomfort and the inconvenience that our guests have had to deal with in the past several days.”

These are very hard things to own up to and many other brands would have blamed someone else, ignored the problems, or simply taken way too long to communicate (remember how long it took Jet Blue in a much easier situation ?). I commend them for their transparent and rapid-response.   If I was a passenger, there would have been nothing anyone could have told me to make me understand or even tolerate the experience.

The situation will continue with a few days of negative stories from passengers on the boat, and Carnival will continue to need to address the many questions which exist. All in all, crisis is never good, but I think Carnival should be held up as an example of how to handle crisis PR.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), or donations, can often be seen as window-dressing, but when done right corporate responsibility can bring personal fulfillment through the act of giving. Earning my living helping corporations (and individuals) utilize the media and public forums to build their brand, I am often asked if certain charitable initiatives will help companies make more, or be portrayed better and my professional answer is always: Only if you are dedicated to it and really believe in it.

Besides divine blessings, we merit many business realizations from giving to charity. In former President Bill Clinton’s book, “Giving,” he speaks of an African tribe he encountered as a result of his Clinton Foundation that had a unique way of greeting each other. When someone says, “Hello,” the other person responds with, “I see you.” It’s a powerful message in a world where differences are usually quite visible. Clinton testifies to his amazement with the amount of individuals and business alike that share so many causes and are actively contributing to organizations, NGOs, and charities.

To “win” at corporate responsibility it requires tremendous dedication. Celebrities who walk around hospitals once, attend fundraising events for NGOs or make a public donation without sincerity can often be seen, with good reason, as insincere. I don’t rule out the possibility that some turn donations and giving into a strategic business approach, but it shouldn’t undermine the rest of the individuals, businesses and even corporations who are devoted to a goal larger than their own sales and profits.

I was raised in a home where giving wasn’t an option; it was a requirement. Whether it was money, time, attention, or thoughts it was an expectation in my mother’s household.  For me, those acts are a part of a holy, higher value and all people should give, regardless of how much or how little they have. The almighty rests his blessing on those who give.  

Charitable donations raise a company (and individual’s) image and improve self-awareness. Helping and giving makes you feel good. It allows organizations (and people) to be balanced and focused, and lessens jealousy, allowing you to feel accomplished and focused on earning even more.

Yet another business benefit to donations is the amazing people you meet at non-profit organizations that you care about – you meet people who care about the same issues that you do and, as you develop a bond over time, you will naturally make life-long friends and beneficial business relationships. Some of these people are hardly accessible in the ‘real world,’ but very available when reached through a good cause.  

Such people as you meet at these events can even evolve into your biggest clients, as they did for me. I am certainly not saying to join, or get involved in CSR, for business relationships: join if you believe in and want to help the cause. Expanding your business contacts is just a small perk from your contributions.  

Here are some initiatives to consider:

Social Responsibility acts: Whether an individual or major corporation engages in corporate good. Your employees may identify with a list of causes and issues which you can expand upon. Match donations or offer time to pursue such causes. You can even allow corporations to be rallied as a team around a cause, which becomes useful for corporate morale.

NGOs and Dinners: Aside from the important goals you meet when attending a dinner and the objectives fulfilled by your contribution, you also get to meet very interesting people who share the notion that our common humanity is vital. That dinner is an opportunity to mingle, bond and make new connections. The cause is the basis for self-reflection, and the event is further encouragement to continue supporting the benefit that you attended.

Programs: This is where unique resources and their benefits can come to fruition.  Participate in programs where you can make a difference. PR firms, of course, can assist in media work, restaurants, shelters, and the like.  Promote the cause  in the same way that you would help a loved one.

There are many ways and means to give. The initial act is the most important and ultimate fulfillment that you will gain, and remember that it is never too late to start – just do it. Give the money away; the blessings of every kind will be returned to you in many multiples.  That’s a personal and Public Relations guarantee.

(As Published In The Washington Post at: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/politics/blog-network/2010/10/pr_advice_for_brett_favre.html )

I haven’t spoken to or met Minnesota’s Quarterback Favre, but if he calls, I would tell him he needs to speak up, and damn quickly.  I would remind him that large portions of the Tiger Woods hysteria could have been avoided had Tiger stood up quickly and taken responsibility, which he failed to do until months later. It’s a mistake in PR and crisis communications to keep silent during the heat, and this story will not go away until Favre addresses the issues surrounding his texts to Jenn Sterger.

Having handled many celebrity crises, I would insist on sitting down with him, learning the real story and understanding what really happened. I’ve worked with these situations for a long time and trust me what we read isn’t always the whole truth. I would insist on knowing where his wife stands in the picture, and how he truly personally feels about all the media surrounding this. I have had some celebrities who genuinely do not care, while others are only concerned with what headshot the media is using. We need to understand the touch points for Favre – the person, the father of 2 daughters, the husband, and not just #4 on the football field.

The headlines this week read, “Maybe Brett Favre should have stayed retired”, “A Sad Ending For A Sad Man”, and ask, “Should Wrangler drop Brett Favre?”

The allegations around sexual misconduct required the NFL to consider suspension and run a ‘fast track’ investigation into the matter – another event to which Favre did not respond. But, again, this investigation and its findings are sure to receive ample media attention.  To make matters worse, he’s also distracted on the field.  After apologizing to his team for his missing team practices, he was still completely unfocused and missed several crucial throws, leading to their loss to the NY Jets.

Anyone advising Brett Favre – or any crisis PR agency – needs to be very, very frank.  This incident will not go away and may threaten the Favre legacy.  I guarantee, at this point, a lot more Americans will know his name not from his conduct on the field, but for his texting incidents. Not to mention, no brand will endorse with him in business after he does retire.

Today’s comments from former NBA star and current TV bigmouth Charles Barkley will inflame the situation further, as Barkley tells the world, “Favre has handled himself perfectly.” I would beg to differ, and I would remind Barkley of his infamous comment years ago, “I am not paid to be a role model.”  That’s true, and Favre is yet another athlete reminding America of just how true his words were.

Whether it’s a one-off interview with a friendly Reporter, or a taped interview which he releases on his own, a statement which is forceful and real needs to be made and released.  Is his wife standing next to him?  Is he in jersey or out?  All of these scenarios have to be carefully considered, or this incident shall forever tarnish the Favre legacy, and be the subject of countless late-night skits.

Favre needs to come up with a strategy – whether it’s to focus on field strengths and throws, or to just say it’s a lie.  He needs to tell the truth, for the pictures of the gorgeous Jets cheerleader won’t go away until then. Favre is not the first, nor the last athlete to be accused of making a mistake. However, he’s not accused of murder, like OJ Simpson, or facing jail time. It’s important to remember that America is a forgiving nation (lets hope his wife is also). Brett Favre needs to stand up and say something, or the media’s going to continue speaking for him.