49ers PR Gaffe Condemns 'Jock Culture as Well as Bad PR, Says PR Disaster Analyst

San Francisco 49ers PR Directors Kirk Reynolds actually got his communications theory right; relate to your audience in terms they understand. But, worryingly, this also revealed the mentality and prejudices of many modern male sports stars.

(PRWEB) June 4, 2005 -- PR analyst Gerry McCusker, author of the worlds first compendium of PR disasters, believes the PR scandal engulfing the San Francisco 49ers, says as much about the mentality of our modern sports heroes as it does of the PROs who advise them.

McCusker, a sports PR specialist, came to this conclusion after viewing the questionable video clips and deducing that the teams disgraced PR Director, Kirk Reynolds, used lowbrow racist and sexist humour, erotic titillation and loutish behaviour to ensure that he got the players attention and got his point across.

From an effective public speaking or communications viewpoint, McCusker says that, theoretically, Reynolds was spot on: He spoke to his audience in a language theyd be sure to understand. The players got the message, but their silence tells another story.

McCusker commented:

If the players saw this in August 2004, why was it June 2005 before someone found it offensive enough to leak to the media? It seems that in many 'jock-dominated sports, racism, sexism and bad behaviour are alive and full of potential for bad PR".

From a professional PR viewpoint, McCusker says that Reynolds made several poor judgement calls including:

Stakeholders:

He failed to consider all those who could be offended if they saw it: Or, those who might use the video against him or the club, in a 'political way.

Brand:

He failed to assess the potential impact on the 49ers brand, not just the player pool.

Taste test:

Off-colour humour should never be used, even to get a point across. And, really, what PR professional would strip off to appear in a client training video?

McCusker believes that, in an ironic way, the global media and public outrage has helped Reynolds achieve and surpass his original goal for his 'handling the media training video. The team now surely know that bad behaviours and prejudices are unacceptable in San Frans diverse community, and also in a global multicultural society.

Further information/enquiries: Gerry McCusker

Email: geemccee@yahoo.com.au, www.prdisasters.com

Gerry McCusker MSc PR, is the author of 'Talespin PR Disasters, Kogan Page (2005) and a PR practitioner with over 20 years consultancy experience.

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