"Endgame" Fallout - From "The Crown" We Have Insight How Those Meetings Probably Will Go (and Disney would be smart ditching princess memes)

"Buckingham Palace officials will meet with aides to Prince William this week for critical talks in how to deal with the fallout from accusations of racism after the publication of Omid Scobie's book Endgame." - Daily Mail, December 3, 2023

In great detail, including with all the key facial expressions, the Netflix series "The Crown" delivers insight how the top tier of The Royals deals with crisis. Amazingly, those in the loop seem to have great confidence that they will be able to resolve the situations. In addition, even way back at a time when public relations didn't dominate as now the parties were aware about the correlation between the branding of the monarchy and its ability to continue being supported. 

Currently, the threats to its survival are ramped up. It is not considered Doom but reality that Charles might be the last King for the UK. Hey, William, you might search for another professional identity.

A growing focus, both as opportunity and threat, is the UK economy.

On the one hand, London as a financial center is becoming more important. Recently US elite law firm Paul Weiss operated three raids on the Kirkland and Ellis's offices in London which specialize in Private Equity. A boom in PE is anticipated in Europe. What the Magic Circle law firms are up to in the UK keeps receiving more analysis. UK legal tabloid RollonFriday has become popular. 

On the other hand, there is more employment loss. For instance, EY lays off 300 Knowledge Workers in the UK. That includes even shuttering a unit. Those are good jobs. The loss reinforces fear of what will happen to other plum jobs as generative AI is incorporated into strategy and actual processes. The future of much of Knowledge Work is in play. America could probably weather that better than the UK.

Simultaneously, productions such as "The Crown" cut through the fantasy of what life must be like being a princess or a prince. Neither Elizabeth II's sister Margaret nor her husband Philip had an easy time of it. Pile on that Diana's struggles.

The takeaway could be: The payoff of that positioning and packaging is not worth the boxing in of a lifestyle and the downright boredom of ribbon-cuttings and official dinners. Even the ham-handed in sustainable branding Harry and Meghan could continue creating the force field which pulls much of it down.

Disney might be smart to shift from princess memes to professional identities, just as the Barbie franchise had. Even at the very top of the that food chain Elizabeth II doesn't come across, at least in "The Crown," as having a joyful life. Too often she herself described it as "duty." 

That value system doesn't resonate with many of us currently. When professional services firms such as law leverage the language of duty - as in "commitment" and "responsiveness" - it is received as mere manipulation. Instead, the demand is to be frank about the terms and conditions of the game. The latest crisis among The Royals could provide additional insight about that particular game. 

In most cases you have only one shot in communications. Jane Genova is a communications coach and content-creator. Complimentary consultation (please text 203-468-8579 or email janegenova374@gmail.com) 

 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Harvard/Columbia Law Students Made Their Point, Davis Polk Rescinds Their Jobs

Image
"Davis Polk & Wardwell rescinded job offers to three law students at Harvard and Columbia universities after organizations they were part of made controversial statements about the Hamas attack on Israel ... they were leaders of groups that signed on to the Joint Statement from Palestine Solidarity Groups at Columbia University and the Joint Statement by Harvard Palestine Solidarity Groups on the Situation in Palestine."   Bloomberg Law , October 17, 2023 Davis Polk did not provide the names of the students. Could privilege be part of the reason the students who made the statements might have been unaware of the potential for severe consequences? In the hood as well as lower middle class neighborhoods we were totally aware of the correlation of what came out of mouths and employment and even survival. I got down cold not to mouth off. Legendary were tales of what happened to those who did shoot off their mouths.  The clients of law firms could be among those who are creat
Read more

The Two Letters - Being from Ethiopia Doesn't Get Melat Kiros Off the Hook from Understanding the Implicit Employer-Employee Contract in America

  That first letter.  It had been sent from a number of law firms - ranging from Sidley Austin to Sullivan & Cromwell to Paul,Weiss - to a number of law school deans. As many interpreted that communication it seemed to contain a veiled threat that if perceived antisemitism wasn't stopped recruitment at those law schools could be. I experienced the tone and content as, well, heavy-handed. And I have said just that in public venues. But I no longer do contract communications assignments for law firms. No residual looping remains since I have changed careers.  When I did do law firm assignments, such as for Paul,Weiss, you bet, I avoided any tone or content even in non-related material which could throw shade on the clients. That's the way it goes.  Since before doing assignments for law firms I had worked full-time for the Fortune 50, from the get-go I got the "it" - no open disagreement with those who sign the check. In fact, the "approval channel" is
Read more

From Watergate Glam to Offering Buyouts to Reduce Manpower By 240: The Washington Post

It's another sad day in what had been glam.  The Washington Post announced its plan to downsize manpower throughout the organization by 240. That will start with buyouts.  CNN admitted it's not ready for the future. The Wall Street Journal has gone part pop culture to attract a younger audience. The average age of its reader is 59. We already know ABC probably will be up for sale. Establishment media is making its point: Its existence is uncertain. What could replace it could be digital apps on phones. Public relations folks will pitch their clients' stories to the apps. Or maybe PR also will go poof. Everyone will be an influencer. Data or the gut for your careers and communications? Both of course. Complimentary consultation with intuitive coach, content-creator, and Tarot reader Jane Genova (text 202-468-8579, janegenova374@gmail.com ).
Read more