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:
- At 1:01 – You’re former WWE World Champion and UFC rookie CM Punk. After two surgeries and almost two years after announcing you were taking your talents to the UFC, you’re finally set for your octagon debut this weekend. As an expert of scripted endings, what concession speech have you crafted in case you lose?
- At 8:24 – You’re 90s sex-symbol Pamela Anderson. Less than a year after posing for Playboy’s last issue, you penned an anti-porn op-ed with a rabbi in the Wall Street Journal which sent shockwaves throughout the porn industry and psychologists. Some suggest it was a publicity stunt. Explain to us the PR pros and cons, of your slut-shaming hoes and johns.
- At 15:40 – You’re the San Francisco 49ers. The Santa Clara Police Officer’s Association wrote you a letter about your quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s “harassing behavior” which includes wearing exposed socks with the image of a pig wearing a police hat during training camp practices in Santa Clara, failure to stand to honor the National Anthem and “insinuat(ing) that police officers are being placed on paid leave for murdering minorities”. The letter ends with a demand that if you fail to “take action to stop this type of inappropriate workplace behavior, it could result in police officers choosing not to work at your facilities”. Two days later, the Santa Clara Police Chief Michael J. Sellers sent USA Today sports a statement, “I will work with both sides to find a solution. In the meantime, I will ensure we continue to provide a safe environment at Levi’s Stadium.” Describe your public and private PR preparation.
- At 23:03 – You’re New York Giants Wide Receiver Odell Beckham Jr. Twitter put “GIRLS” star Lena Dunham on blast for attributing your ignoring her amorous affections at a Met Gala to your racism and misogyny. She issued a half-assed apology until getting called out for it. So she tried again. “I owe Odell Beckham Jr an apology…I would never intentionally contribute to a long and often violent history of the over-sexualization of black male bodies- as well as false accusations by white women towards black men.” Is it better for your brand to publicly accept an apology you never sought or just ignore her like you did at the Met?
- At 28:51 – You’re Donald Trump. Last week on MSNBC, the founder for “Latinos for Trump” Marco Gutierrez warned about the dangers of his culture. “(I)t’s imposing, and it’s causing problems. If you don’t do something about it, you’re gonna have taco trucks every corner.” In doing so, he created a movement #TacoTrucksOnEveryCorner…in favor of Hillary Clinton. Is it better PR to bury yet another Marco or show solidarity for his struggle?
- At 35:47 – You’re US President Barack Obama. According to the Associated Press, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte claimed that if you asked him about extrajudicial killings during a regional summit, “(S)on of a b—- I will swear at you”. You cancelled the meeting. What else do you have planned for this Philippine philistine?
- At 40:48 – TEACHABLE MOMENT: You’re a member of the Standing Rock Sioux. After months of protesting the construction of a $3.8 billion dollar pipeline with almost one hundred tribes across North America, the Dakota Access pipeline company responded with dogs and pepper spray. With the footage of the violence causing international outrage, what further steps can you take to stop the pipeline without having your blood spilled?
- At 46:00 – Eugene’s Lost Battalion
Enjoy!