25 November 2014

Inquiry Shows New Media PR Here to Stay

Facilitate Communications welcomes the Prime Minister’s release of the Inquiry report into allegations regarding the Honourable Judith Collins and a former Director of the Serious Fraud Office, Adam Feeley.

The Inquiry by former High Court Judge Justice Chisholm has exonerated our client Mark Hotchin from any attempt to undermine the then head of the Serious Fraud Office Mr Adam Feeley,” said Carrick Graham, Managing Director of Facilitate Communications.

“Reputation management today involves utilising all sources of media, especially social media platforms that allow enhanced control over the message delivery,” said Mr Graham.

Facilitate Communications worked to address numerous incorrect, defamatory and outright misleading commentary about our client that had appeared in mainstream media. A core role of PR professionals is to achieve a more balanced media and public commentary on issues of interest to clients.

Recent claims about some ‘conspiracy’ by people that were not involved in strategy discussions or the execution of the public relations strategies, have been proved by the Inquiry to be demonstrably wrong.

Now that the Inquiry is complete the time has come to set the record straight. There was never any intention to undermine the regulators, including Mr Feeley. The public attention Mr Feeley gained was as a result of his own actions and that of his staff.

Furthermore in a democracy, which preserves freedom of expression, criticism of public servants is not a crime, particularly when there is an uneven playing field in terms of media commentary.

“To get cut-through in today’s 24/7 media landscape, public relations has had to evolve. It is no longer enough sending out media releases hoping for coverage or pick up. To deliver results in a highly specialised area involves innovative thinking and execution, and that is exactly what we do,” said Mr Graham.

“With social media platforms a clear tool to balance commentary on various issues, Facilitate Communications is at the cutting edge of public relations – and this is a position that gives us a clear competitive advantage,” said Mr Graham.

ENDS

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