[TowerTalk] Re: Thoughts on the Chicago Tribune Article

[Jim Idelson]

When I read the article, I got pretty upset. But not for the same reasons that 
I'm hearing on this thread. To me the big problem is the article itself, not 
whether the ham had a tough time or not. The really bad PR that comes from such 
a negative article in such a high profile newspaper is very significant. It 
even sounds like the reporter contacted somebody at the League, but I sense 
that a major opportunity was missed. The door was open; they could have 
finessed a very pro-ham quote into this article. Even if the League was not 
contacted, I still think PR is a big weakness in the ARRL skillset. Although 
they seem to realize that PR is a useful tool, they don't seem to understand 
just how critical it is, nor how effective PR programs are planned and 
executed.

73,

Jim Idelson K1IR
email    k1ir at designet.com
web    http://www.designet.com/k1ir