Entries Tagged 'Balki' ↓

My beloved puppy Balki may or may not be from another planet (think ALF).

We know this because every time he hears fire engine sirens, well…just watch…

The next evening, Balki got all dressed up for Halloween!

I love my dog.  I know all dog owners say that, but really, I love Balki!

Hi, I'm Balki! Will you be my friend?

Have you met Balki yet?

(Since I know you want to ask: Yes, we did, in fact, name our dog after Bronson Pinchot’s character from “Perfect Strangers.”  We’re those people.)

My dog is my running buddy, my foot warmer, my biggest fan.  And what he doesn’t know is that he is an excellent PR teacher.  In fact, there are 4 keys to effective PR that little Balki has mastered, even though he is only 13 months old.

1) Approach every day enthusiastically – For Balki, everyday is a new adventure!  When he wakes up in the morning, all he needs is a front yard and some stretching until he is a smily guy, ready to rule the block.

Shouldn’t we, as PR and marketing pros, approach the morning as the start of fresh opportunities for our clients?  We tend to need a lot of time to get up and rolling (guilty!), but how much more effective would we be if we were ready to rock and roll earlier in the day?

2) Say “Hello!” – Whether it’s a new dog at the corner or a 4 year old girl walking down the street with her parents, Balki lets them all know he sees them.  Whether a wag of the tail, a friendly yelp or even a lick to the face, he makes his presence known.

I'm so happy! You should be, too!

We are a social breed.  If we are to be “people people,” that starts with a simple “howdy!”  You never know who you are sitting next to.  A few days ago, my wife and I were out to dinner and started talking to the couple sitting next to us.  We ended up going out to a wine bar with them after dinner and have new “couple friends” and perhaps a few business leads for all of us, just because we said “Hello!”

3) Protect your owner client at all times - Was that a bump in the night?  A strange sound outside the front door?  Are those sirens wailing down the pike?  When he hears or sees a potential threat, the normally docile Balki springs to action, doing a perimeter check of our home.  Much like an Under Armour commercial, Balki will protect this house!

In much the same way, publicists should always have an eye and an ear towards any potential threats to our clients.  If a competitor releases a new product or a strategic partner loses assets, we should not only be aware of the problem, but be ready to propose strategies to overcome the obstacles.

4) Show appreciation – If you do something nice for my dog, like give him a treat, a belly rub or an ear scratch, he will let you know.  He’ll lick you, he snuggle you, he’ll smile…he will show his appreciation.

That’s something we should do, if we aren’t already.  We are networking folks, so when someone does something nice for us, it’s critical that we show our appreciation.  A quick phone call, e-mail or a hand-written, old-fashioned thank you note goes a long way.  Obviously, none of those methods are a lick in the face, but I think you’ll get the message across just the same.

So there you have it…PR really is for the dogs!

QUESTION: What other good PR lessons have you learned from animals?

Countless reports have flooded the Internet today that the NFL will conditionally reinstate Michael Vick.

Before I get into analysis, let me get my biases out of the way:

Me and Balki last year.

1) I am a passionate Baltimore Ravens fan.  

2) I have supported Ray Lewis is his return to the playing field after his murder trial.

3) I own a dog I love as much as I love any person (family and family-in-law-to-be not included!)

4) I am not a vegetarian, nor am I am avid animal rights supporter (not that I don’t support the cause, but I don’t give up my Saturdays to picket)

So there is where I am coming from.

Now let’s get to where I am going.

Michael Vick, not to long ago, was a premier NFL superstar.  He led the Atlanta Falcons to the postseason.  He dazzled on the field, combining arm strength and running acumen to apparently become a prototype for the new generation of quarterbacks.  He starred in countless commercials, banking at the endorsement pay window.

After being convicted of various charges stemming from bankrolling an illegal dog fighting operation, including killing numerous dogs, he served his debt to society, splitting his time between jail and prohibitive house arrest.  This past week, he officially finished his sentence and was released from the legal system (albeit with probation).

He applied for reinstatement to the NFL, so he could resume his once-promising career.  His “boss,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, will apparently allow him back in the league, with some conditions, such as a minimum 4 game suspension.  The exact details should be released soon, but the bottom line is that if he signs with a team, he’s back in.

I am not going to discuss the PR nightmare that would go along with any team willing to sign him.  

I want to discuss whether the league should have let him back in.

In two words: Sadly, yes.

The major issue here is not that Vick should be prohibited from resuming his career.  The issue is that his chosen career carries a six-figure minimum salary.  Even if he sits on the sideline all year long, he will earn more than the average American.

Let’s just say he found work as a nighttime custodian, an honest line of work.  I don’t think anyone would have any problems with him taking that job.  In that career, he would work hard for his pay, and see every day what he cost himself.

However, he’s an NFL player.  

Playing in the NFL is not a “right.”  It is a merit-based league.  If you can play better than other people, you should be in the league, just like any other career.  If you continue to play better, you’ll get a raise, just like any other career.  It just so happens that his job plays out in front of nearly 100,000 fans in attendance and millions watching across several broadcast and cable networks each week.  A team will sign him and he most likely will play this year.

At the end of the day, even though he was convicted of his crimes, he served his sentence and deserves the chance to make a living.  I don’t like that he can go from prison to the penthouse so quickly, but that is his legal right and I will defend that right to the fullest.

Daddy, I'm taking your side of the bed tonight...that cool?

Today is that special day that comes around every so often — Doggie Day at BWF Communications!

Staff members bring their pups to galavant around the office while we try to get work done.

In honor of that, let me introduce you to Balki.

Marisa and I adopted Balki Bartokomous Levy Schaffer when he was just seven weeks old!  He is a shelter dog (the best kind!) and we aren’t entirely sure of his breed.  I like to say that he is Purebred Kickass.  Seriously, though, he’s got some white German shephard and some sort of collie and maybe some other great grandparents of various breeds, as well.

He is a playful, inquisitive, cuddly dog who is very protective of his mommy and daddy (that’s us!).  He has recently discovered his voicebox, and uses it regularly to scare away would-be-threats to our house.  He sounds like a shofar when a firetruck whizzes by..and he saves his loudest roars from 3am!  Such a treat!

Balki is now nearly 9 months old and the funniest little guy there ever was!

Want pics?  Here ya go!

You...lookin...at me?

I HATE baths!

I don't think I like snow...

Puppy Kindergarten Superstar!

Balki has a Dog-Crush on Nolan Reimold, too!