Comments on: Conan Makes Quintessential ORM Power Move

By: Kurt

Kurt — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:05:35 +0000

If you want to know how to squander goodwill, one need look no further than Jeff Zucker and the Execs at NBC. They are the ones who don't understand the power of online video, and viral social media. They are still living in the glory days of "Seinfeld" and "Friends". Betcha they still own some AOL stock. Jay's fans wouldn't have made nearly as much noise, if NBC had payed him the cash, and yanked him, without dislodging Conan. Conan "gets it", even though he pretends not to, for the sake of comedy. Twitter Tracker concisely explained the bemusement that many experienced as a result of its popularity. I'm with CoCo.

By: Jim Rudnick

Jim Rudnick — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:08:56 +0000

to me the term “NBC TV executive” and “intelligent ORM” can’t be used in the same sentence, eh!

:-(

Jim

By: Data Entry Services

Data Entry Services — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 21:53:37 +0000

Very good example. I hadn’t seen Conan’s reply until I happened upon it here. He did behave well. It’s the guys behind the scene that should have answer to the public.

By: Lori Bourne

Lori Bourne — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:29:39 +0000

Love everything about Conan’s letter – dry, self-deprecating humor always wins the day. Not really related, but if you haven’t ever read Conan’s Harvard graduation speech, you must:

http://www.february-7.com/features/conan.htm

Clearly, he is funnier than Leno has been or ever will be.

By: Vince Blackham

Vince Blackham — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:46:52 +0000

I think he also showed a great deal of humility as well, which helps with gaining trust for your side. I love how he told us all “not to worry”, but that he’s been ridiculously lucky with what he’s done over the past 17 years. Guarantee that guy isn’t leaving TV for many, many years to come (this was case-in-point). Go Team Conan!!

By: Crimsongirl

Crimsongirl — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:35:02 +0000

“2. Don’t get emotional or look for sympathy. Just state the facts.
3. Admit any wrongdoing, if applicable.
4. Show grace and humor.
5. Offer a resolution or plan of attack for the future to calm fears.”

Good advice for many situations.

I was just watching a clip from Bill O’Reilly on YouTube (I don’t get Fox News on TV) and among his criticisms of the current administration was the “unemotional response” to the Christmas Day terrorism attempt.

Now, you can criticize the Obama administration for many things, but if there’s one thing I admire about them is that they don’t get overly emotional and panicky. It’s a sign of immaturity if you judge people by how much they cry or get excited in response to the ups and downs of life.

By: Lisa Barone

Lisa Barone — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:26:41 +0000

Rudy – We’re both just not that original. ;) I just left a comment on your past – which I thought provided a fantastic overview of what happened. Thanks for including it here.

By: Rudy Lopes

Rudy Lopes — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:17:43 +0000

Fox would definitely “get” Conan, he cut his teeth for years as a Simpsons writer.

By: Rudy Lopes

Rudy Lopes — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:15:29 +0000

Damn, Lisa, I was just finishing up my own analysis of the Leno vs Conan debacle when yours showed up. (I covered the personal branding angle too, only you did a much better job of it.) I'd say "great minds think alike" but I'd probably be insulting at least one of us...

By: Rhea Drysdale

Rhea Drysdale — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:06:39 +0000

Quick thought – Conan didn’t have a PR disaster, but reputation management isn’t always about that. Sometimes you just want to strengthen your brand or understand what the public is saying about you. In Conan’s situation there were a ton of people that did not like him or were riding the fence about whether they wanted to watch him.

When he took over The Tonight Show, they lost a huge viewership and it confused industry minds because they didn’t get absorbed elsewhere, those viewers just disappeared. That means they’re still out there waiting to see if there’s a reason to return. Conan doesn’t have Ripoff Report to deal with or sex scandals, but he does have to convince millions of viewers to watch him every night. How he handled the situation brought respect if nothing else and that can go a long way.