Public Relations & Social Marketing Insight

New NBA Commissioner Adam Silver was handed a high-profile test that would determine whether or not he would establish himself as a leader. Did he pass?

...That may have seemed like an obvious decision to make, but it was more complicated than it appeared. For example, Dallas Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban seemed to oppose a lifetime ban due to the “slippery slope” such a precedent would set. Other critics also wondered if the comments—which were made in private to a romantic partner—should have led to his removal as a team owner.

I understand those concerns, but I’ve been thoroughly impressed with the NBA’s handling of this incident. The League’s crisis management worked, and the NBA did almost everything right in terms of communicating with the press. The press conference itself was also handled well: A press handler, presumably an NBA staffer, selected the questioners and counted down when they would take only two more questions. Press conferences rarely run as smoothly....

Never underestimate the influence of two Mommy bloggers and the power of online activism.

A recent online petition at Change.org, has gathered more than 278,000 supporters protesting against food dyes added to several popular Kraft macaroni and cheese products....

The reaction on Twitter to major political events and policy decisions often differs a great deal from public opinion as measured by surveys. This is the conclusion of a year-long Pew Research Center study that compared the results of national polls to the tone of tweets in response to eight major news events, including the outcome of the presidential election, the first presidential debate and major speeches by Barack Obama.

At times the Twitter conversation is more liberal than survey responses, while at other times it is more conservative. Often it is the overall negativity that stands out. Much of the difference may have to do with both the narrow sliver of the public represented on Twitter as well as who among that slice chose to take part in any one conversation....

A Seattle bar has declared that ‘Google Glass’ (aka Google Glasses)–not yet available to the public–are banned “in advance” from the establishment.

Seattle’s 5 Point Cafeposted a message to their Facebook page saying:

“For the record, The 5 Point is the first Seattle business to ban in advance Google Glasses. And [butt] kickings will be encouraged for violators.”

Sure, this is partly a tongue-in-cheek pronouncement, and a bit of a publicity stunt, but the owners of 5 Point Cafe are quite clear that they mean it–and there’s little doubt that other businesses will follow their lead.

Speaking to Jamie Griswold, a reporter withMyNorthwest.com, 5 Point Cafe owner Dave Meinert said that in the tech-savvy city of Seattle it’s just a matter of time before Google Glassbecomes a regular feature of the city’s social scene....

The science against BPA isn’t very convincing, yet the left-wing onslaught from environmental groups, activist scientists and the media has convinced many consumers that soup cans, soda bottles and plastic storage containers are going to make them sick.

In the case of BPA, perception and reality are far different, but false perceptions can still cost businesses millions -- or put them out of business altogether. The infamous Alar scare cost apple farmers $100 million according to a 1989 Associated Press report. Even growers who weren’t using Alar were devastated. By March 31, 2012, the FDA will announce a decision on the use of BPA in food and beverage packaging.

As in the case of Alar, such perceptions have even prompted government agencies to regulate or ban chemicals that served a useful purpose. That could happen again at the end of March, the deadline for the Food and Drug Administration to respond to the left-wing group NRDC’s petition to ban bisphenol A from food and drink packaging....

[Interesting to see how business interests attack activists - JD]