Much ado about nothing. Seriously... nothing.

Too much PR spin about nothing…way too much.

Where exactly does it say, and in what great volume of proper human conduct, let alone some PR book of knowledge, that every thing written or visually presented absolutely must be given its fifteen minutes of fame?

I recently read two different pieces on two completely separate “news items” that made me aware all over again that not everything is worth my time of reflection let alone your time. But for the sake of discussion, I’ll discount that to another five or ten minutes. The first was the hoopla generated over a rather badly drawn political cartoon in the New York Post last week attempting to humorously tie together stimulus packages and dead chimps…and the second was a book review in USA Today on a new PR tome titled, “PR: A Persuasive Industry” . The former received considerable coverage over several days on national television while the latter was relegated to an interior page of the newspaper. Both however, suffer from the same identical maladies. First, the subjects of the criticism, a cartoon and a book, are inferior examples of their breed…and second, the criticism itself is ineptly presented.

Starting in reverse order, all of the critical comments pro and con surrounding the cartoon focused on the issue of suspect racism in it’s content by the media and the talking heads who were determined to take advantage of the potential controversy of the perceived subject. Give me a break! First and foremost, it was a stupid political cartoon, by an institution protected under the 1st Amendment for two hundred years. But more to my point, it wasn’t even close to being a good political cartoon…it was in fact, a badly conceived and drawn cartoon, not worthy of publication, let alone comment, based on its lack of aesthetics and humor alone.

The second example personally caused me more discomfort because it delves into a profession (Public Relations) and a skill (reporting and smart writing) I hold with some esteem. If the reviewer, Seth Brown, doesn’t do his research or write any more skillfully than is presented in this “review” than he should be eternally grateful for every check he receives while masquerading as a writer…. "Public relations doesn’t have great PR.” Wow…that’s insightful! “Perhaps the most alluring thing about being a PR consultant is that no formal training is required: no certification, no universally acknowledged test, no courses offered at many prestigious universities…” Really? Someone better tell that to the Northwestern’s, Boston University’s Cal State’s, KU’s or the PRSA.

The book itself as quoted in his review sounds a bit sophomoric and defensive…. "There is much more gray than black and white in the field of PR ethics.” Duh! The authors define PR according to Mr. Brown, as “the planned persuasion of people to behave in ways that further a sponsor’s objectives.” Makes us sound like ad agencies for breakfast cereal on Saturday morning TV.

But Mr. Brown does end well…”If you’re looking for a book to conclusively answer your PR questions, keep looking.” Hear, hear. (In difference to full disclosure, I have not read it, only Mr. Brown’s review, which does not make me want to spend the money or time to do so.)

Sometimes, some things just simply do not require nor deserve their fifteen minutes of fame nor to be reviewed. These people, these things, these attempts at art, at communication or aggrandizement are just inept. And that’s ok. Try again.

Sorry, Andy Warhol.