I remember an instance, when long ago I had messaged the editor of Mid-Day's film supplement Hit-List for a story on one of my PR clients, Pakistani actress Meera. When I followed up, the Ed curtly messaged back, "Mid-Day won't carry the story." I was irked by that statement, as the editor was only the editor of Hit-List... and not all of Mid-Day. To me, the statement also smacked of typical media arrogance, which once used to be a part-and-parcel of the attitude of old-school media persons. There and then I decided, this had to change, or at least, I had to be an exception.
That evening, I contacted an on-the-ball News Desk journo friend from Mid-Day and offered two separate scandalous scoops with exclusive pictures to support. These two scoops were an offer in return for pitching and pushing the Meera story for nothing less than 'Page 1' of Mid-Day. I had added a current affairs angle to it to suit the main paper and did not mention that I had pitched the same story to the Hit-List editor earlier in the day.
The journo loved the story and the carrot of two huge scoops.
He asked me to be patient — as two days later, his senior had a weekly off — and
on that day, maybe he could push the story. I was repeatedly assertive about it
with the journo and then waited the wait. The story finally appeared on Page 1
with an elaborate continuation on an inside page.
That morning, I messaged the Hit-List editor about it, with
a rejoinder: "Sher ke mooh mein
haath daloge, toh sher kaatega toh sahi." (with a wink emoticon in the
end). Though later, I felt a bit bad about that message (though not about the
manipulation). Aisa laga, ke thoda zyaada
ho gaya.
BTW: As a bonus,
instead of the promised two scoops, I gave my journo friend three controversies
to cover for the next fortnight. He was thrilled.
Moral of the story:
Only media-fearing PRs can be put in place, not the ones who understand spin.
After all, PRs aren't called 'spin doctors' for nothing.
Takeaway for PRs,
budding PRs and BMM students: A publicist has a whole world of print,
television, radio, internet media and even citizen journalism via social media
in his/her scheme of things. If the PR really decides to play the game, there
is no way any media person can stop a spin doctor from doing what he/she wants
to do. Just decide to be unstoppable and the possibilities are endless.
Note of caution:
PRs can create upheavals like nobody's business as they can plot, plug and plant
stories or rumours in trade or any media. So they must always remember, that
with great influence comes great responsibility. Stay nice. Be ethical.
About the Author:
Dale Bhagwagar is a PR specialist with branding, image consultancy, strategizing, media manipulation, crisis management and mentorship for media students. He has handled the publicity for more than 150 Bollywood actors and 30 movies, apart from being a spokesperson and publicist to 20 Bigg Boss contestants.
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