Last night, I went to one of the classiest events I have been to in years, and it really underscored the value of public relations and community affairs in the biggest way. Bottom line, the event was a class act, from start to finish.
Where was I?
I was at Channukat HaBayit – a dedication of a new synagogue that happens to be on the same street as where we live. Please see http://www.chabadflamingo.com/.
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper was in the spotlight, wearing a blue kippah as he helped cut the ribbon at the new Lubavitch synagogue. The eloquent Rabbi Mendel Kaplan, the synagogue’s charismatic rabbi made an emotional 30 minute speech is which we thanked the almighty, his wife, parents, parents in law and the community. It was indeed both passionate and very touching to see Kaplan realize his dream in front of some 800 people, including various Chabad Rabbi’s, as well as Conservative MP Peter Kent, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and a veteran journalist.
“The Ernest Manson Lubavitch Centre will serve as spiritual, social, and educational hub for this community,” Harper said to a full-house at Bathurst Street and Flamingo Road. “Thanks to the vision and leadership of the late Rabbi Schneerson, thousands of Chabad and Lubavitch centers like this have opened their doors around the world.
"Through education and outreach programs these centers are strengthening the bonds of the faith within the Jewish community everywhere. In so doing, they signify the enduring spirit of the Jewish people.” The unapologetically pro-Israel Prime Minister received an Obama-esque rock star reception.
So where did PR enter into the equation. Simple!
Although I am not a member of the Chabad synagogue, I do visit it from time to time. Rabbi Kaplan knows how to work the room like no other Rabbi I have ever met. He is very politically connected – so much so that Canada’s PM was there … it does not get any bigger than that.
Kaplan knows how to use PR to great advantage. Now of only some of our clients were that good.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Ryanair ... what are you thinking?
I’d like to thank Sherone of BlackWeb for bringing something really funny to my attention. It was so funny, I almost wet myslf.
Know RyanAir, the low-fare European Airline? Seems like their fares, aren’t the only thing low … their intelligence and their understanding of social media is on par with their fares.
In my eyes, they are in a pickle on two bone-headed counts
First they threaten to charge passengers for using the loo on their planes? Pardon the pun, but this stinks … who was the doofus who schemed this plan? He/ she’s the person that should be made to clean the loos..
As if that were not moronic enough, when a web developed Jason Roe blogged about finding a potential flaw on Ryanair’s website, he received abusive emails from a Ryanair staffer in response.
Not to be outdone in the stupid department, when given a chance to respond to the incident, Ryanair’s official communications team commented thus, “Ryanair can confirm that a Ryanair staff member did engage in a blog discussion. It is Ryanair policy not to waste time and energy corresponding with idiot bloggers and Ryanair can confirm that it won’t be happening again.”
Folks in PR at Ryanair, listen up, --- Is diplomacy and tact not part of your daily existences?” Calling a blogger an idiot? What are you thinking? And even if he is an idiot (in your mind), who says that you are correct? Wake up … Bloggers typically are smart and know their stuff. Now again, I haven’t ever heard of Jason Rose, but methinks he was just doing his job.
Bottom line here: If you’re looking to do your biz on a plane for free, don’t call Ryanair. If on the other hand, you’re looking for help in managing your blogger relations, call us.
And again, thanks to Sherone for bringing this to my attention
Know RyanAir, the low-fare European Airline? Seems like their fares, aren’t the only thing low … their intelligence and their understanding of social media is on par with their fares.
In my eyes, they are in a pickle on two bone-headed counts
First they threaten to charge passengers for using the loo on their planes? Pardon the pun, but this stinks … who was the doofus who schemed this plan? He/ she’s the person that should be made to clean the loos..
As if that were not moronic enough, when a web developed Jason Roe blogged about finding a potential flaw on Ryanair’s website, he received abusive emails from a Ryanair staffer in response.
Not to be outdone in the stupid department, when given a chance to respond to the incident, Ryanair’s official communications team commented thus, “Ryanair can confirm that a Ryanair staff member did engage in a blog discussion. It is Ryanair policy not to waste time and energy corresponding with idiot bloggers and Ryanair can confirm that it won’t be happening again.”
Folks in PR at Ryanair, listen up, --- Is diplomacy and tact not part of your daily existences?” Calling a blogger an idiot? What are you thinking? And even if he is an idiot (in your mind), who says that you are correct? Wake up … Bloggers typically are smart and know their stuff. Now again, I haven’t ever heard of Jason Rose, but methinks he was just doing his job.
Bottom line here: If you’re looking to do your biz on a plane for free, don’t call Ryanair. If on the other hand, you’re looking for help in managing your blogger relations, call us.
And again, thanks to Sherone for bringing this to my attention
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
