An article on the online version of PRWeek claims that this week has been a good week for Lord Mandelson.
Attacking The Sun, Lord Mandelson who appeared on Wednesday’s Today Programme is said to have deftly deflected attention away from Gordon Brown’s mis-spelt letter of condolence to the mother of a soldier killed in Afghanistan.
Yes, Mandelson may have a gift for good oratory and deflecting questions but what about the effect of his own personal image on those who listen to him? Surely after a while people will begin to associate him with spin doctoring. I certainly do – my copy of the recommended Media Relations book, Be your own spin doctor has an endorsement from him on the front cover!
Lessons should be learnt from the downfall of Alistair Campbell. If Mandelson wants to retain some credibility then it is best to do his work behind the scenes. “Celebrity” spin doctors don’t win votes.
What is particularly annoying is that spin doctoring and public relations get rolled up into one by the media. And this time the media is PRWeek. The article is written in a way which suggests some admiration for “the dark lord”. Why is PRWeek covering something which is by no stretch of the imagination best practice public relations?
Lord Mandelson is the original Spin Doctor. Some even claim that the term was specifically created for him by the media back in the late 1980's, because of, as you state in your article, his 'good oratory'. I'm not sure if there's any personal image to be damaged, because everyone or rather the media know how he went into government - because of his spin doctoring skills.
ReplyDeleteYes, i do agree that spin doctoring being associated with PR has really affected the credibility of the PR profession.
Spin doctors win votes - New Labour is an example.
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