Alexei Auld is back with a brand new book available 7 Secret Sources of Inspiration: A Snappy Guide for Creative Procrastinators to grill Eugene S. Robinson (who's pushing a GoFundMe to pay for the new Oxbow album) and myself with some PR stumpers from the world of combat sports.
For the audio only version check us out on SoundCloud and be sure to subscribe to MMA NATION on iTunes and subscribe to MMA Nation on YouTube so you'll never miss an episode. This week's kerfuffles include:You're WME-IMG. Last week multiple PR threats to your brand were made on different fronts, live and in public, if you will. Share your strategies for handling each one...
- At 0:56 - Last Friday, the NY Post devoted an article to what they referred to as "Ronda Rousey's Failed Year Away" and recounted her brutal loss to Holly Holm and subsequent "self-imposed media blackout" as well as referencing "her controversial coach" and "her alleged domestic-abusing boyfriend". The article deemed her surprise "made-for-media moment" at the UFC 205 weigh-ins "fell flat...partly because Rousey's revival was dead on arrival." What are your PR plans to make Ronda's image great again?
- At 7:19 - After negotiations with former UFC welterweight champion Georges St Pierre's return at UFC 206 fell through, his attorney told Forbes, "He doesn't need the UFC...If the new owners, William Morris-IMG, don't want him back and they try to block him from fighting elsewhere, he can then take the legal battle or decide to walk away and do other things." That was followed up with GSP tweeting photos taken last Saturday at Bellator 165 with Bellator CEO Scott Coker and current Bellator fighters, including UFC defectors Rory MacDonald and Chael Sonnen, as well as the previous UFC owner's Moby Dick: Fedor Emelianenko. What PR moves do you make, if any, to counter?
- At 13:14 - Walk us through whether making a matchup between Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather is worth your while for your brand and financial goals.
- At 19:07 - You're the NBA. LeBron James took umbrage with Hall of Fame Coach and NY Knicks President of Basketball Operations Phil Jackson referring to James' agent and business associates as a 'posse' during an interview with ESPN's Jackie MacMullan. With players, coaches, and industry observers taking time and sides interpreting the racial connotations and undertones of Jackson's reference, what PR measures must you make, if any, to prevent the Kaepernication of your league?
- At 26:46 - You're Kanye West. During your concert in San Jose last Thursday, you announced that you didn't vote, but would've voted for Donald Trump and were running for US President in 2020. The crowd responded by booing and throwing stuff at you. Saturday night during a concert in Sacramento, you ranted about Jay-Z and Beyonce, played three songs, and left. You followed up the next night by cancelling your concert in Los Angeles, three hours before it was scheduled to begin. Do you need to make any PR moves to protect future ticket sales or is this PR prep for Yeezy joining Weezy as headliners for Donald Trump's inaugural ball?
- At 33:26 - You're the producers of the hit Broadway musical Hamilton. After Vice-Presidential elect Mike Pence was booed by the crowd and admonished by your cast while attending your musical last Friday night, Donald Trump himself tweeted "The Theater must always be a safe and special place.The cast of Hamilton was very rude last night to a very good man, Mike Pence. Apologize!" Do you?
- At 43:18 - TEACHABLE MOMENT: You're Donald Trump's son-in-law and New York Observer publisher Jared Kushner. Last week, the media pinned you as the reason for New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's removal from Trump's transition team and replacing alleged anti-semite Steve Bannon with RNC Chair Reince Priebus as White House Chief of Staff. The New York Times claims you're "seeking the counsel of Henry Kissinger." Is becoming a political apprentice to a dark lord of the Sith good PR?
- At 49:04 - NEW FEATURE: KID NATE'S HEEL TURN
- At 50:51 - REGULAR FEATURE: Now it's time for EUGENE'S LOST BATTALION
Enjoy!