“Behind-the-scenes” at the 2009 Green Inaugural Ball: One of the most anticipated inauguration events.
The celebrity packed 2009 Green Inaugural Ball, chaired by Al Gore showcased the “big green tent” -“ a broad movement by more than 75 environmental, conservation, labor, civil justice, youth, and business groups celebrating the new green economy.
I was able to attend as my firm produced and distributed three media B-Roll feeds of the evening’s events and created and syndicated the web video content.
Denise Bode of the American Wind Energy Association, Rhone Resch of the Solar Energy Industries Association, Carl Pope of the Sierra Club, Larry Schweiger of the National Wildlife Federation were among the environmental leaders I spoke to. What struck me is there is “green” in green. For perhaps the first time the need to create jobs, business objectives and protecting the environment are in sync.
On the celebrity side will.i.am., John Legend, Blair Underwood, Lisa Ling, Michael Franti and Paul Reiser were especially cooperative and thoughtful–though Paul attempted to take responsibility for the rise of the environmental movement (watch video). I think he was kidding.
I was surprised that Al Gore wasn’t available to media even though he was the honorary chair. While Tipper was warm and engaging, Al didn’t seem to be in a festive mood with the exception of a brief handshake for my on site video editor.
Good Morning America covers the Green Ball
The 2009 Green Inaugural Ball Homepage
Search Terms: 2009 Green Inaugural Ball, Al Gore, will.i.am., John Legend, Blair Underwood, Lisa Ling, Michael Franti, Denise Bode, American Wind Energy Association, Rhone Resch, Solar Energy Industries Association, Carl Pope, Sierra Club, Nancy Pelosi
Howard Bragman, Fifteen Minutes
Howard Bragman, author of Where’s My Fifteen Minutes? shares his thoughts on PR.
Some of Howard’s VlogViews:
“The number one misconception is all press is good press, my number one commandment is all press is not good press, and bad press could hurt financially, emotionally, it can hurt families, it can do damage to careers. And good press is important, not getting good press is more important.”
“Communicators have to understand if they truly have a communications problem, or if they have a bigger problem that PR is supposed to mask. And that’s one of our responsibilities incumbent upon us.”
“I think we owe our clients the truth and I’ve been doing this long enough, and people know my brand and if they ask me a question, they’re going to get an honest answer and I think most PR people of a certain level owe their clients that. If you don’t, your clients are going to have deeper problems and you’re going to get fired anyway. Wouldn’t you rather get fired for telling your clients the truth and just doing a good job?”
PR News’ Next Practices Conference Series:
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