THIS is a perfect example of what Mo’Kelly receives on an almost daily basis. PR rule #1. Never let your publicist become part of the story or through his/her efforts create (avoidable) negative publicity.
Mo’Kelly doesn’t watch the Real Housewives of Atlanta, doesn’t know any housewives in Atlanta, doesn’t watch reality TV in general and is really against publicizing any “star” who is created through the genre.
But get this…Mo’Kelly received this in his email today. Here it is, unedited. This is a teaching moment, so Mo’Kelly removed all of the contact information. Usually Mo’Kelly would leave it in, but not this time. Mo’Kelly is getting soft in his old age it seems.
______________
PRESS RELEASE
310.***.****
For Immediate Release
March 10, 2010
HOT ATLANTA HOUSEWIFE, NENE LEAKES,
RELEASES STATEMENT ABOUT SON’S RECENT ARREST
LOS ANGELES – NeNe Leakes from Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” releases the following statement about the recent arrest of her son, Bryson Bryant.
“Like any parent, I am disappointed with the actions and arrest of my son, Bryson. Certainly, my husband and I will deal with this family issue in a private manner. My son is not the first young adult to experiment with marijuana, and he certainly won’t be the last. Still, as parents, this is a chance for us to have an open dialogue with him about the dangers of any substance abuse. I realize as a parent that my job is never done. And as I’ve tweeted, tough love was in order. Still, I ask that you respect our privacy during this trying time.”
– NeNe Leakes
***********, publicist
310.***.****
_______________
1. What “parent” circulates a press release regarding a child’s arrest, and ALSO leads it off with “Hot Atlanta Housewife?” “Disappointed” parents don’t send out press releases trumpeting their looks right before detailing their child’s arrest on drug charges. No, you’re NOT like any other parent NeNe.
2. The second sentence says, “Certainly, my husband and I will deal with this family issue in a private manner.” Oh really? You mean “private” with the exception of the press release emailed to all the media and the tweets (see sentence 6).
3. “My son is not the first young adult to experiment with marijuana, and he certainly won’t be the last.” Yes, and Ted Bundy was not the first serial killer and won’t be the last. The bottom line is that the activities are ILLEGAL. Since when was not being the first or the last somehow a mitigating factor?
4. “Still, I ask that you respect our privacy during this trying time.” Yes, this time is so “trying” she had to put out a press release, first indicating she was “hot”…not heartbroken, not disgusted, but sexually attractive.
She’s “hot” and wants her privacy.
Got it.
Mo’Kelly didn’t even know who this woman was, who her son was, that he had been arrested or for what reason until Mo’Kelly opened this email.
She has her publicist email Mo’Kelly a press release with all of the aforementioned information and wants Mo’Kelly to then respect HER privacy? She just told ALL her family’s business in the five previous sentences and decides in the sixth to tell the rest of us to stay OUT of her business…you know the business of the “hot” Atlanta Housewife?!
Negro please…
5. She and her husband promise to have an open dialogue about the dangers of any substance abuse, right after dismissing the seriousness of the incident with him “not being the first and certainly won’t being the last.” Which is it…is it serious and egregious or is it not?
Press releases are meant for one reason and one reason only…to accumulate press and notoriety. This was not a statement posted on her website, this was a PRESS RELEASE as noted above.
If NeNe Leakes has paid this publicist to accumulate press on the back of her son’s arrest on drug charges, shame on her. Why is it these “celebrities” don’t have better judgment, management and/or common sense?
Ms. Leakes, whatever money you’re paying your “management” or your “publicists” is money not well-spent. Today Mo’Kelly gave you a freebie in managing a “crisis” situation. The next one won’t be free.
Here’s what she SHOULD have said, in the form of a POSTED statement a la Tiger Woods.
“Thank you for the outpouring of support and concern over my son Bryson. The situation is very complicated and still evolving. In the coming days my husband and I hope to gain better clarity and be of the best assistance to Bryson moving forward. As this is a pending legal issue, I can’t comment beyond expressing my appreciation for all the wonderful notes and sentiments you’ve sent our way. They are both appreciated and empowering during this difficult time. This too shall pass.
God bless…”
—-
THAT is how it is done. Please take note PR professionals. And that took Mo’Kelly all of 2.5 minutes to imagine and publish.
You acknowledge it (for those looking for a statement) and are gracious in the process. Then you move on. You don’t ask for privacy, you don’t elaborate on how you feel about it or somehow promote your program. If it’s a FAMILY issue, you treat it like one, not a press opportunity to trumpet your TV show and supposed sexual attractiveness. Present oneself in a sympathetic manner not a hypocritical one.
Story on arrest HERE.
[Stay tuned…the new mrmokelly.com website is coming to you in 2010. Set your browsers now.]
11 responses to “NeNe Leakes – You’re Kidding, Right?”
Wow Mo'Kelly… this is crazy… but I have to agree with you. I like your statement a lot more.
Mo, thank you for making my day with this!!! OMG, what kind of tomfoolery is this? you know what parent places a press release about their son's arrest, a ghetto, ignoramus, who wouldn't know class if it was in front of her. triflin!
I'm glad I'm not the only one who does not watch reality shows!! If I did not read your blog I wouldn't know this person nor her son.
Mo, your teachable moment probably fell on "deaf ears" or "blind eyes" in the current medium. Keep up the good work you saw through this shallow attempt at more publicity. I appreciate your acumen.
I normally don't watch reality shows but my sister who lives in ATL called me about this one shortly after it began airing. So I bit the poison apple. I didn't see the ending episodes, but…
I can honestly say if you ever watched maybe two or three of the episodes, you would not be at ALL suprised by this from Nene. She has to be the worst of any on this show. I noticed many would applaud her "being real" attitude. I always considered her rude and crass. Guess it all depends on your perspective.
It is serious and egregious to those who see it as a wake-up call, not an opportunity to garner free press… and to those who actually know what egregious means. C'mon Mo. Nene is NOT on that list.
Mo'Kelly is at it again! Brother, she needs to fire her publicist and place you on payroll immediately.
Mo'Kelly, I don't know HOW I missed this as a PR blogger, but this was truly a teaching moment.
Although this was a teachable moment, the "Hot Atlanta Housewife," will not realize that.
Diamond, you are correct. But sometimes (including this time) your audience who may learn from this is broader than just the person in the headline. If I were only about teaching NeNe Leakes a lesson, I would have contacted her and her publicist directly.
This was for others/other artists to see what is and is not appropriate. Of course anyone who would go to the lengths to release such a statement probably won't "get it." But this served two purposes, to embarrass what was clearly a thinly-veiled attempt at publicity and to demonstrate the correct way to go about it. Sometimes when you don't publicly correct things, people assume it's somehow acceptable.
A press release to promote one's TV show while your son is in jail on drug charges is unacceptable and needed to be highlighted publicly. My placing her name in the title and tag means that her clippings service and/or Bravo will come across the post. It'll be less likely to happen again in the future as Bravo/NBC won't appreciate such posts, irrespective of whether NeNe "gets it."
I wish I could say I had never wasted minutes of my life that I can never get back watching RHOA. I also wish that I could say that Leakes' behavior surprises me. She is SO ghetto and so unbelievably trashy, I was always hoping it was just over-exaggerated for the show, but obviously it wasn't. *smh*
obviously, nene is really confused and still looking for direction…i am a fan of the show because it is somewhat of a trainwreck, but dont get it twisted, if Nene isnt part of next season's cast, it's over! it's a hard pill 2 swallow when both your parents reject you even if you recieve the most awesome care…i truly believe nene's aunt was wonderful to and for nene, but she is going to have to let go of the past and look ahead! her son is grown, and as a celebrity, i'm sure she felt that she would rather break the news of her son rather than let the media do it! Being rejected never leaves someone! good luck Nene