Why PR consultants need to get involved in football clubs and associations?

England, one of the developed countries in the world, a great empire in the past that has inherited the planet with the universal language for communication has also introduced the most popular game - football. Nowadays, the country is mostly famous because of having the best football league on Earth, of course some may argue that. Without loosing a word on further description, recently FA (Football Association) has been on the hot spot for two decisions that has influenced the clubs' and national teams. One was the 8 week ban that Luis Suarez (Liverpool forward) have taken for racist behaviour towards Patrice Evra (Manchester United defender) and second was John Terry (Chelsea defender) who has been stripped off his English national team captaincy, accused of the same matter.

Suarez who has accepted and paid for what he calls 'not an insult' and backed by Poyet (another footballer) who admits that "it is not an offence" in Spain. Evra, who has previously been proven to be rude and offensive to other players, has also been found to be the victim in this case (for more information on the story click on: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th article). Briefly, Saturday's game Man U vs Liverpool, has created disorder in the Premier League, when Suarez came back and missed to shake Evra's hand at the very beginning of the game. That behaviour has been framed 'a disgrace for Liverpool' by Sir Alex Ferguson (Man U's manager). Nevertheless, Sir Alex has stated after the win (2:1 for the Red Devils) that Suarez could have caused riots. Some may say, Man U manager is right because of his long-term positive reputation but others may argue that he is a diplomatic person who should not put additional pressure on the situation and instead Liverpool's player who could cause an incident, Ferguson with his statement might be the one to cause riots.

Leaving the club football and its crises on a side, for the moment, the National team of England has taken a hit a couple of days before the derby between Man U and Liverpool. Due to FA's decision not to allow John Terry to be the captain of England anymore, has made Fabio Capello resign as the national team's manager. In brief recall, England has always had strong football players and has always been named to be one of the favourites for the FIFA World Cup or UEFA European Cup winner. However, scandals has always appeared, few months before each major competition, which has somehow affected the players' performance. Now, when around the corner is Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine, England has lost its manager due to disagreement between him and the FA (for more info on the story click on: 1st, 2nd and 3rd article). Some may say in support for the Football Association that letting Capello resign has been a good and ethical decision. Nevertheless, others may argue that the FA has failed to support the national team by simply make an exception for the Euro and strip Terry off his captaincy after the conclusion of it. In support to the argument, now England should find a phenomenal manager, who will turn around the English national team in just few months and adapt the players to a new style of play and tactics in order to perform well in the competition. Coming back to the history, miracles have happened before when the national team of Denmark has gathered its players from summer resorts and have won the 1992 Euro Cup. Will this phenomena happen to the English football team, spectators, followers and fans will be awaiting to see.

Coming to an end, why in both cases PR practitioners/consultants are needed. In order to avoid further misunderstandings and/or stunt PR such as Evra's and Suarez's disgraceful behaviour for the club's football and the break down of the English national team just before a major event, public relations could have its word. Consultants will be able to take care of the reputation of the clubs by introducing the English laws (racism wise) to the players and give a brief communication advice on how and what to talk during interviews. Moreover, controversial decision could also be avoided by drawing on previous facts and history, which rather help in critical situations like racism accusation to take over. Early sincere apology from both players could have also be an easy solution that will calm down the already escalating negativism amongst clubs' and national team fans. However, there is a possibility that FA could have taken the right decision, and all of what have been said will turn from arguments to just words. 

What a weekend.. Or need it to be named distribution of happiness!?

What a weekend.. Or need it to be named distribution of happiness!?

Starting from last night's NFL final, also known as SuperBowl, NY Giants have discretely destroyed New England Patriots with an end result of 21-17 in favour to New Yorkers winning the 46th competition since its existence.. Happiness on one side and sadness on the other, have brought a dramatic 3 hours sport event to the world watched by hundreds of millions people globally. Even the social media has benefited from it: Twitter registered 1.8 billion tweets for the last 3 minutes of SuperBowl's streaming.

While in the United States that is an annual special event, in the United Kingdom and more specifically in London, hours earlier, citizens have witnessed the crowning of a Royal borough. Greenwich, situated in South-East English capital is the region that will host several of the summer Olympics' events later in 2012: football, basketball, gymnastics, equestrian, etc. Concluding with fireworks in one of the University's of Greenwich grass fields, happiness remained on the faces of the people.

Nevertheless, and most importantly pure happiness has been distributed in the early hours of Sunday. Saturday night snow has come to London, and without a moment of hesitation students at Avery Hill, one of the University of Greenwich campuses, have turn it into a memorable moment. The whole area had an excess of snow and so were the snow-ball fights. The next day.. well.. that was the Sunday crowned 'the day full of pure happiness'. Children with their parents, families, have used the local parks to enjoy the already covered with snow land. The snowball fights have turned into building snowman's competition, each ones aiming for bigger and/or funnier.

A simple day, has started with preparation for uniqueness moving from snowing towards crowning and finally spectating. From unexpected to planned, this is how a perfect day for pure happiness has been built.

What a weekend..!?

Tsvetan goes in-depth research

As the new year has come, the end of a study period is approaching too. Masters degree seems to be far but as well near to be finalised. In order to achieve that, a Dissertation must be written, which involves a lot of reading, researching, thinking, reflecting, analysing, evaluating and writing. In this case a better plan need to be made. This is why I have decided (also had to) create a new blog, which will only be concentrated on Dissertation Proposal - Researching, Reflecting and Writing. If anyone is interested in the same or similar case, I would be more than happy to provide my thoughts, near research findings, etc. in order to help. In that case, to whom it may concern, please do not hesitate to contact: blog, Facebook, twitter.

Thank you and stay close for new entries..

TS

Why journalists should respect witnesses' privacy

Journalist -  "a person who writes for newspapers or magazines or prepares news to be broadcast on radio or television."

The description clearly states what the contribution of the professional is to the society. Respectively, journalists have given a lot to the world in terms of information on contemporary global and/or local issues, not neglecting the danger sometimes these freelancers, people like us all, have been put up against. However, it is their own decision to be at risk on daily basis. Nobody else has the right to tell them 'stop, you should not do that, it threatens your life'. Everyone should respect each others decision, without harming nobody's life, it is our human right to do so.

Now, why would I bring up words like respect, harm, human right and all of it linked with journalism. As much as journalists have delivered useful and mostly credible (recently this has become a strong debatable topic) information to the world society, they have neglected the privacy of people. In some cases where police and crime has been in the spotlight that gathering and distribution of information and facts has put innocent people in danger, which is disrespectful, harmful and against their human rights.

To clear all this mess stated above I will introduce you to a case, recently happened in Bulgaria. Briefly, without mentioning the names of the newspaper where the article appeared, the journalist name who wrote the article and the witnesses' names, the story is about the so called 'King of the Gypsies' in Bulgaria. He has threatened to take the life of two people (husband and wife), as stated in the article, while they were having a talk in live area surrounded by other people (more than 10 so called witnesses). It is arguable if this whole situation is due to a previous unknown conflict between the two parties. However, other sources say, it has all happened because of the elections and the power that might get them in to. The whole story has escalated and has been taken to the police. Now the 'King of the Gypsies' together with his family are under investigation and himself, powerful within his community, is threatened to be put in jail for 6 years. Coming to an end of the story, only 2 out of 10, possibly more, witnesses' names have been mentioned in the newspaper. After this statement those two, which names have been shared with the public have now been threatened by obviously the people of the 'King of the Gypsies'. Immediate questions are raised: How these threateners know that the names are real? And why would the journalist write, at first place, any names in his/her article?

Coming to an end, journalists as any other professionals have to deal with their job and that is to provide information to the media - newspapers, magazines, television and so on. Nevertheless, they must have at least a little respect for themselves and the people who are involved in their story by not neglecting the importance of human life and the harm they could possibly do by sharing names of witnesses, in this case, on a crime that is not even clear who is responsible for what.

Ps. I give my sincere apologies to the readers of not giving out any sources, names, etc. as this might additionally harm innocent people. Nevertheless, readers have their own right to agree or disagree with the blogger's opinion on the topic.

Victoria's Secret in another thrilling fashion performance

New York City aka The Big Apple.. and what an apple it is. Victoria's Secret has delivered another thrilling fashion show. This annual event in the city of lights was yet another sexy and rhythmic, passionate and inspiring, but unique as in each year, for all their fans, customers and VIP guests. 

There is nothing much more to say besides, enjoy the eleven and a half minute video, highlights of the magical night.

For full time VC fashion show click on video.

Beckham on the spotlight

David Beckham is again on the spotlight. Started as a football player in Manchester United, transferred in Real Madrid, becoming a brand on its own, and finally winning the US soccer title in his last game for LA Galaxy, Beckham has not finished with his world stage performance yet.

Sainsbury's, the official sponsor of London Paralympics 2012, has signed Beckham earlier this month. He immediately have been appointed to participate in an ongoing campaign called '1 million children'. The aim of the campaign is to persuade children with or without disabilities to play sports together. First video has already been released where Beckham plays with a blindfold.

Will this campaign achieve its aim? And how strong the influence of Beckham in England has remained? We will follow and see the end result. Until then we will hope for 'the more, the better'.

Why PR books and cultural difference interfere between each other

When a question is asked about PR and its history and meaning, many refer to books. Some argue that history have started millenniums ago, others say it has began when job itself has appeared at different times in different countries and cultures.

If most Western nations work of books examples, Eastern cultures play against them. In literature, manipulation is less used by PR practitioners because of its negative influence if uncovered, which then raises bad reputation. That has its main concern in this new developing industry. However, manipulation is well known in Eastern Europe, and more specifically Bulgaria.

The most recent case was a month when elections had taken places. And manipulation and corruptions were the main tools for success. Bulgaria has now a new president and new mayors in the cities of the country. The nation of roses is considered by many foreign research groups and financial investigators, to be the poorest of all EU countries. Now you most likely ask yourself the question, so why would a person want to be a mayor or a president of such a country, when prosperity is at the bottom of a box? I personally would add, and why would you be manipulative and using corruptive manners to achieve that?

If you can not answer at least one of the two questions, let me help you. Bulgaria might be the poorest country on paper, but not by facts. Tourist all over Europe, Russia and even off seas and oceans travel to visit God's beautiful creation. In not so many places you can see all the four seasons on their most prettiest vision and where else than Bulgaria you can have a perfume made from roses, which grow everywhere in the country. The sea and mountains do not make exception, only some people do. The way to understand all of what have been said is to live in the country and experience all negative impact wealthy people do in order to become wealthier. And do not get me wrong, they get richer not by mind or soul, but by materialism.

The hunger for property, money and power is a trend that some are fighting agains, others are fighting with, thirds are supporting it. 

Mr Plevneliev is the newest 7th (4th long-term) president of the Bulgarian Republic. And while he gives important interviews and building up awareness around the media on how to improve the country and the lifestyle of the Bulgarian citizens, the National Railway Services are on strike. BDZ is a one of the structures that has left under the country's management and supervision. Previously national banks, telecommunications and others have been sold to private corporations, which now dictate a monopoly in the country. However, Bulgarian Railways strike is due to unpaid salaries and while people are getting together to stand against this inhumanity, railway transportation is becoming slower, out of date and out of schedule. This can be as well taken as a conspiracy, because people use of transport shifts towards other private transportation like the bus lines. That would be the logical move and decision by publics, but have thought that in a poor country where people do not have much money and use trains, instead of yet slower bus transportation for long distances gets on strike in such a moment. And this is not the only time that has happened, referring to previous years when train delays and strikes have appeared, pushing people to use buses a lot more then travelling with BDZ.

To conclude as this seems to be a long story already, There will be many years yet to come before Bulgaria start using the real purpose of PR and that would be building up brand's reputation before destroying it indefinitely.