Behind the Edelman protest response

It's always interesting to see how a big PR agency handles its own crisis.

Today, a group of naked protesters glued themselves to each other in the offices of Edelman PR.

Making a point about Edelman's work for client EON and its coal-burning powerstation, the Climate Camp activists brought the spotlight onto a PR powerhouse.

Here is an excerpt from the Twitter stream of Edelman UK CEO, Robert Phillips: 

 

And how about this article on Sky News' website, which laments the protesters' inability to have a decent conversation, "more intent on going for the headline, picture story and the sound-bite, rather than for a constructive and engaged conversation"? (Interesting view from a PR agency.)

So what do you think? Is Edelman right in demonstrating its complete openness and willingness to talk? Or are they just very keen to be seen as approachable?

Jon Silk also blogs at www.prgeek.net. Follow him at twitter.com/prgeek.

Comments

[IAG]

The climate campers couldn't win. If they agreed, then the headline is "PR company and protesters talk out their differences" and Edelman continues to be E.On's PR machine. If the protesters refuse to play the PR company at their own game, then they're attacked for not engaging.

Difficult!

[Jimmy]

Hi Jon,

It's great that you're talking about this protest. As a point of clarity, we were in the lobby of Edelman's offices (with one fully clothed representative available for a chat) but we didn't have an iPhone. Funnily enough, we thought if someone wanted to talk to us, we were right there.

The main thing I want to say though, is that regardless of what people think of the protest and the relationship between the protesters and the company Edelman PR, this should not colour their opinion of the issue itself.

Edelman has willingly taken on the role of making a hugely damaging step by E.on look acceptbale to the public. That's true no matter who says it or how.

[Simon Collister]

Very interesting.

@IAG - you're right. It's the damned if you do and damned if you don't situation CC found itself in with the police approach to the camp. I like to think direct action is exactly that: action. Talking is for NGOs and other lobby bodies :)

@Jimmy - you;re right also, but perhaps this is always a possible outcome when taking professional PR firms. I think you need to get the word out that someone was willing to speak with Edelman.

[Ecoeater]

It's hardly direct action is it? A bunch of naked blokes and a semi naked girl unfurling a banner in an office block reception in Central London? It's about as direct as going to London via Delhi (when you live in Dagenham).

[SImon Collister]

@Eooeater - Um. They're directly taking action to protest. I think it's a fair comment.

[Robert Phillips]

Sorry to have come to this slightly late but just to clarify:

- a number of our clients are as happy to engage with 'direct action' groups on a sensible level, as they are with 'conventional' NGOs. Some of them do already. Such meetings can be facilitated.

- if someone was willing to talk to me/ Edelman yesterday, that genuinely is news to me. The offer was passed on via the police (and others) and we were repeatedly met with a 'no thanks'.

- if the Climate Campers offer still stands, then so does mine. Call me on 020 3047 2000 and we will fix a time

- I just don't buy this 'damnded if you do, damned if you don't' argument. Sorry. as I exchanged tweets with @seeitcoming last night, you really shouldn't see consipiracies where they simply don't exist.

[Jon Silk]

The Media Blog would be happy to host / film that meeting, Robert. And I'd be happy to moderate the discussion.

I'm surprised you weren't told there was a representative there to speak to you. Perhaps this is a demonstration of how Twitter alone isn't enough as outreach in a PR crisis situation?

In my view, the main goals were achieved here for both parties. They got their picture in the paper (and the story covered), and you remained calm and as helpful as possible throughout (without actually engaging).

Thoughts?

[Robert Phillips]

As I have said, happy to meet - question is: with whom?

[Chris]

Has it all gone quiet on the Climate Camp front??? Perhaps they're only confident when moving as a mob or when carrying out publicity stunts.

Surely one of them must have been in the Polemic Society at whatever over-priced public school they went to. Why not take Robert Phillips on in a discussion?

[Captn]

Ha, great post - gotta love those headlines, picture stories and sound-bites!

We've been trying to find out a bit more about Edelman and staff member Luke Pollard - also the Labour PPC for South Devon.

We'd appreciate any input / comments from your readers on the subject.

http://www.peoplesrepublicofsouthdevon.co.uk/2009/09/02/edelman-under-fire-for-climate-spin-they-employ-luke-pollard-%e2%80%93-labour-ppc-for-south-devon-%e2%80%93-so-we-found-out-more/

[Nick]

As Jimmy said, we were more than happy to talk with Edelman, but were not happy to do it behind closed doors, so Edelman could spin the outcomes of that meeting and pretend that we have reconciled our differences. They're a professional PR firm, who can spend obscene amounts of money presenting their warped version of the facts to the public. We are armed with nothing but the truth.

Obviously, we're all back at our day jobs now, and are based in different parts of the country (none are based in London). I'll speak to the others and find a date we can propose for a public meeting (and Mr Philips, that would involve you actually talking to us rather than sending us a message on twitter).

[Jon Silk]

Thanks Nick, that's great news. It seems both parties are very keen to speak openly about the issues.

As I said, we're happy to facilitate the meeting and ensure it is reported on in an unbiased way.