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 00:58 – You’re WME-IMG. After purchasing the UFC, you recently expanded your ownership group to include a caliber of talent and entrepreneurs as a strong indicator of UFC’s fast-growing global presence. So why are you firing so many employees, reducing future cards, and seemingly closing the door on Canada?
- At 10:15 – You’re a UFC employee. With a new regime removing many of your colleagues, what moves must you make to preserve your position?
- At 15:55 – You’re the UFC. The Boston Globe reported that forensic pathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu, who Will Smith portrayed in the CONCUSSION movie, detailing the NFL cover-up of brain trauma, detected chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in the brain of deceased twenty-five year old Bellator fighter Jordan Parsons. “”These findings confirm that the danger of exposure to CTE is not limited to just football, hockey, and wrestling. Mixed martial arts is also a dangerous sport, and it’s time for everyone to embrace the truth.” What is your proactive and reactive PR plan in wake of this sport-killing development?
- At 19:47 – You’re Ralek Gracie, founder and president of Metamoris. FloGrappling reported that your brothers Ryron and Rener, head instructors of the Gracie Academy in Torrance, California, sent an email to all of the one-hundred plus Gracie Certified Training Centers worldwide that they “have decided to terminate all business relations” with you and your jiu-jitsu promotion for engaging “in dishonest and fraudulent activity.” Sounds ugly. Do you privately tell them, “life is harsh, hug me, don’t reject me” or should business now be taken care of, if public, if you will?
- At 25:13 – You’re Drake. Rap rival Kid Cudi called you a fake, “jealous, chicken hearted s—“. Less than a month later, he told the world he was checking into rehab to deal with “depression and suicidal urges.” His admission inspired a hashtag #YouGoodMan and praise for highlighting mental health issues. It also inspired a diss track you released Monday: “Still never been on hiatus. You stay xan and perked up so when reality set in you don’t gotta face it.” Fans and experts made your Hotline Bling with hurt, shock, and confusion. Do you need a “One Dance” with PR or is that just a drain of your Energy?
- At 29:25 – You’re NBA star Derrick Rose. After being cleared of rape, you took celebratory photos with the jurors. What part of your post-trial PR was that all about?
- At 37:00 – You’re Donald Trump. Republican strategist, and friend of Eugene Robinson, Karl Rove told Fox News he just doesn’t see you winning. Do you care what he sees?
- At 40:06 – CURVEBALL
- AT 45:14 – TEACHABLE MOMENT: You’re the Nobel Prize Committee. You awarded Bob Dylan a Nobel Prize in literature for “having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition”. Not only has the decision baffled and enraged the literary world, Bob refuses to publicly acknowledge it. According to Reuters, one of your members broke ranks and said Dylan’s silence is “rude and arrogant”. Can you tell us how does it feel to have an award to be without a home, like a complete unknown, like a rolling stone?
- At 49:43 – EUGENE’S LOST BATTALION
Enjoy!