I thought I’d seen just about everything, during decades doing PR. But then I read, in the Houston Chronicle, that Airbnb is rolling out a ‘kindness card.’ The company is suggesting that guests, who have given Airbnb hosts high ratings, consider sending such hosts a kindness card, perhaps “with a generous donation” included with their good wishes.
Now let’s think about this. People who have stayed at short-term rental properties for a few days, or a little longer, should, maybe, consider giving a “generous donation” to the people who own the properties being rented on a short-term basis, along with their good wishes expressed in a kindness card?
There’s some PR in this, don’t you think? ‘Kindness card’ sounds very… nice. Donations are nice, too. And, these are tough times. But, as the Houston Chronicle notes, in the article: “What seemed like a novel gesture to help out Airbnb hosts,” instead “has touched off a torrent of backlash on social media… some guests are speaking out about why it should be their responsibility to support hosts.”
Well, anyway, that was the start of some fascinating PR, over the past several days… initially in the world of business, and soon after, in the world of government.
Let’s see… President Trump granted an exclusive interview to his go-to network, FOX News. There was, however, a fly in the ointment. The interview was conducted by Chris Wallace, a journalist known for asking tough, hard-hitting questions.
As he’s been known to do, the President made various assertions, about various people, that Mr. Wallace decided to fact-check, in real time, as the interview was underway. At one point, the President had to pause, as cameras were rolling, so an aide could locate some corroborating information, regarding some of his assertions. If that wasn’t fascinating, enough, from somewhere off camera, an arm – maybe the White House press secretary’s arm – appeared on camera, handing POTUS the document he’d requested.
Seeing that brought back memories of the decades-old Soupy Sales comedy show. Soupy would be talking into the camera, joking around, when the furry arm of his pet – a dog, I think – would reach in, on camera, demanding Soupy Sales’ attention. It would make guttural sounds, while reaching in, and that always got lots of laughs.
After searching through the document handed to him by his off-camera aide — it must have been his press secretary; the arm looked familiar — the President just couldn’t find the corroborating info he was hoping to see. I think Chris Wallace took a crack at finding something in the document, as well, but without success. And this all played out, in real time.
That was about as fascinating as the President bragging to Chris Wallace that he had “aced” a cognitive test he’d been given. In that book authored by POTUS’ niece, didn’t she mention that her Uncle Donald had paid someone at his college to take tests for him… the future leader of the free world?
Harvey Radin is former senior vice president in charge of corporate communications and media relations, Bank of America Western Region. He makes his home in Redwood City, CA.