These days, it is often about reputation – how to build and maintain a good one. And also how to turn around a reputation that has been sullied.
So much about what we read in the news these days about personalities tends to be reputation-based, whether you’re looking at Jerry Sandusky or Herman Cain. Yes, there are often legal implications that impact reputation, but oftentimes, it is the celebrity himself that has repair work to do.
Case in point: Detroit Lions defensive sensation, Ndamukong Suh, whose reputation for being a dirty player has been festering for more than a year due to some big hits, tough officiating, and lots of media coverage.
It hit a peak a few weeks ago when the Lions played the Denver Broncos. The NFL billed the game as “Good vs. Evil,” as it hyped the contest as a match between (the good) Tim Tebow and (the evil) Suh.
First, you have to wonder what the NFL was thinking in the first place. And many, especially here in Detroit, questioned the labels. Is Tebow “good” because he’s a religious person? Is Suh “evil” because he’s a hard-hitting defensive player?
Rather than let the situation smolder and eventually become a major image problem, Suh and the Lions (Coach Jim Schwartz and team president Tom Lewand) took the bull by the horns and visited NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
As reported in his Identity blog, PR whiz Tom Nixon, noted that this tactic by the Lions and Suh worked, as evidenced by this statement by Goodell:
“We appreciate that Ndamukong Suh, Coach Schwartz, and team president Tom Lewand took the time to meet with us today. Ndamukong plays the game with great skill and passion and is a major reason for the Lions’ success this year.
In the course of our dialogue today, we reviewed video showing that Ndamukong has clearly made the adjustments to play consistently within the rules so that he can continue to help the team. We commend Ndamukong’s leadership in taking the initiative to schedule today’s meeting.”
Even a great defensive player has to go on the offensive to impact his reputation. When the offended party takes the initiative to actively change the way he or she is being perceived, it can be an effective way to change the conventional mindset.
Jerry Sandusky’s interview with Bob Costas or Gloria Cain’s statements about her husband may not change a situation’s outcome, but they are attempts to get out in front of an issue and face a tough dilemma directly.
In our open, social, transparent environment, there’s no place to hide. And letting the media or the church of public opinion control one’s reputation is no longer a viable option.
Things no longer just “go away.”
They have to be tackled head on.
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
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