Boileau Communications Management LLC

Public Relations Wishes For 2010

Any reputable public relations practitioner will tell you that you can’t succeed for long in separating reality from perception. You can fool some of the people some of the time, of course, but over the long haul the people and companies who do the right things are those that are most admired and trusted.

That said, following is my Top 10 wish list of good PR that I hope can happen in 2010. It will mean doing the right thing, but there is always hope, right?

1. Tiger Woods. We need people to admire, and it is hard to see them fall. Maybe in 2010 Tiger can once again get people talking about what he is doing ON the golf course.

2. Michigan Government. Find one worthwhile thing you can do to move the state forward. Everyone will love you.

3. Detroit Lions. Win eight games by next Christmas and most (but not all) will be forgiven.

4. Mainstream news media. Prove to society that you are still relevant. (Note to WOOD TV—Stop hyperventilating over every open zipper and every time a cloud forms over the Midwest.)

5. Detroit automakers. You can do it. You know you can. Convince the rest of us of it.

6. Airlines. Wow. Convince SOMEBODY, ANYBODY, that you really do care about them once they have placed themselves in your hands.

7. Republican Party. Convince voters that there are reasons they should vote for you.

8. Democratic Party. Convince voters that you have not all gone crazy.

9. Voters. Convince politicians that you really can pay attention.

10. Wall Street bankers. Oh boy. You are on your own.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!