Law And More

Roger Who? - Ailes Documentary Boxoffice Bust

That was fast.

A sexual scandal, a forced resignation, an accidental death - then, it appears, it's all over for the legacy of Roger Ailes.

Once he was so powerful in cable broadcast that some speculated his boss at Fox Rupert Murdoch was afraid of him. Ailes even had his own personal public relations representative. That was Bob Dilenschneider. His creation of the unique conservative channel, at the time, disrupted television. 

Now, the first of the three documentaries on him has been a boxoffice disaster. It only has brought in $12,431, reports The Hill. 

That must be scaring the jesus out of those producing the two other documentaries. One hasn't been named but will star John Lithgow. The other is based on Gabriel Sherman's book "The Loudest Voice in the Room." 

Guess even media genius can have a short shelf life.

Attention is the currency of the 21^st century. Jane Genova helps you get it for products, services, points of view, causes, branding, careers after-50, and college admission.

In addition, this blog welcomes sponsored content.

Free consultation janegenova374@gmail.com

 

Legal Marketers - The New Versions of Willy Lomans

The world of business had changed. Willy Loman hadn't changed with it. He assumed gladhanding would close the deal. The resulting despair and suicide are chronicled in the Arthur Miller's drama "The Death of a Salesman." 

That same phenomenon is overtaking sales today. The 21st century version of that could be called digital gladhanding. Those trying to promote products, services, brands, causes or themselves monopolize social networks. On the front lines are legal marketers. They could be representing law firms of all sizes. Also they could simply be solos representing themselves. 

On those platforms they compulsively post likes, retweets, shares, and comments. Their objective is to get attention. However, usually they become perceived as pests.

The internet has changed.

When communicating on it had been very new, the supposed experts presented case studies how the likers landed jobs, new business, and interviews with media because they were highly visible. Also, it was noted that investing in leaving well-thought-out comments could and did get the eye of those who mattered.

Incidentally, it was through that that some bloggers got hired at Gawker. That was a hot media property before lawyer Charles Harder got in the loop and won a $140 million jury verdict for the plaintiff in "Hogan v. Gawker."

That was then. 

Now, all those likes and more can be as annoying as the pop-up ads. Most of us can differentiate from a like or a comment from those who are sincere and those hustling us for something, anything. 

The emerging mindset among professionals such as myself is: Leave us alone. The exception is if you want to conduct business with us. Then we are totally open to conversation starters. 

Takeaway: In this era of internet over-communication, no, you don't want to be among the digital gladhanders. That tarnishes your legal brand.

Attention is the currency of the 21^st century. Jane Genova helps you get it for products, services, points of view, causes, branding, careers after-50, and college admission.

In addition, this blog welcomes sponsored content.

Free consultation janegenova374@gmail.com

Thomson Reuters - It Could Be Shooting Itself in Foot or Maybe It's Preparing for Bursting Bubble

The term "efficiency" puts a bullseye on the U.S. workforce.

Also, as used by Thomson Reuters in its investor briefing, it could signal the bursting of the bubble in the legal sector.

Recently, Thomson Reuters announced that it would eliminate 3,200 jobs and close 55 offices by 2020. That was being done at the altar of efficiency. 

The implications are immense. And some of them could re-direct the arrow aimed at the bullseye on the U.S. workforce back to the heart of Thomson Reuters' revenue growth. 

In Dewey B. Strategic, Jean O'Grady speculates that this downsizing could have at least two negative effects on the corporation.

One is that client support could deteriorate. That is usually an early casualty of a reduction in force.

The second is that useful products could be eliminated but the cost of products in general be increased. 

Clients, obviously, would go elsewhere. As they do the stink the Thomson Reuters acquires on its branding would linger. The rate of revenue growth may never recover.

Also, we are used to reading between the lines. Do these initiatives by Thomson Reuters create a red flag that things are heading in a downward trajectory in the legal sector? Has there been a bubble and is it ready to burst?

There is the adage that increases in associate compensation come before an economic downturn. Of course, there are signs of an economic downturn. When it will happen and its severity are the unknows. And there has certainly been a major uptick in associate annual fixed salary and in bonuses.

The year 2019 could put the legal sector into irreversible decline. The supposed turnaround, including in litigation, could have been an aberration. 

Older lawyers not meeting hours quota and/or bringing in new business could be forced out. They are too young to retire. Fortunately they are not too old to start out on new career paths. Here, free to download, is my book on finding a ramp out of one's comfort zone and opening up to possibility.

Coaching and Thought Leadership Ghostwriting about Issues Associated with Aging.

Complimentary consultation, sliding scale fees. Please contact Jane Genova at janegenova374@gamil.com.

 

Law Firms Submit Report Draft to CBS - Les Moonves Could Lose Severance

Les Moonves's lifestyle could downsize without the $120 million severance he could have received from his former employer CBS. 

According to the draft report submitted by two law firms to CBS about his alleged misconduct, his behavior would make it legal for the television network to not provide that package.

As the Daily Mail reports, in addition to allegations of sexual abuse, there are those that he destroyed evidence and misled investigators. 

In this #MeToo era, alleged sexual misconduct is an unforgiveable. Providing work to that miscreant can hurt the organization's brand.

Matt Lauer is nowhereville. Harvey Weinstein is finished. 

The odds are Moonves will never be offered a job or assignment again. Without the severance, he could find himself in a financial downward trajectory to being merely middle class.

Attention is the currency of the 21^st century. Jane Genova helps you get it for products, services, points of view, causes, branding, careers after-50, and college admission.

In addition, this blog welcomes sponsored content.

Free consultation janegenova374@gmail.com

 

When Public Relations Firms Have Public Nuisance Defendants as Clients - The 5 Do-Nows

Here is the article I published today on Odwyerpr.com on how public relations firms have to manage clients' public nuisance litigation.

Being sued for creating a public nuisance automatically brands defendants the bad guys.

Litigation Communications

Making points of law, policy issues, and politics accessible and engaging for the public, media, investors, and more. Complimentary consultation. Please contact janegenova374@gmail.com.

 

Michael Cohen as SuperHero

Michael Cohen has been labeled in myriad ways.

One of the most amazing is this: His lawyers portray him as "hero."

Yes, this lawyer who took a plea that he lied to Congress is now filling the space of superhero. Could their be a video game created in which Cohen saves the world?

According to his lawyers, his heroism involves his providing information to the Robert Mueller investigation seven times. Here are more details from the media. 

In addition, his lawyers contend that heroism should merit the reward of no prison time.

The pragmatists and the lawyers among us might interpret the cooperation differently.

We might perceive it as a save your own skin tactic. A long term in prison for a middle-aged man used to living the good life is not attractive. Of course, he would cooperate in hopes of a short sentence, especially if he concluded the U.S. president couldn't be trusted to grant a pardon.

Attention is the currency of the 21^st century. Jane Genova helps you get it for products, services, points of view, causes, branding, careers after-50, and college admission.

In addition, this blog welcomes sponsored content.

Free consultation janegenova374@gmail.com

 

Emile Ratelband - Legally, He Will Have to Remain Age 69, Rules Dutch Court

Dutch motivational speaker, 69, Emile Ratelband went to court for an unusual complaint.

He stated that his birth date, widely available online and elsewhere, was limiting his opportunities for employment and for scoring on Tinder.

His request was for permission to legally change the date of his birth so that he would be classified as 49. He argued that age had become as fluid as gender identity.

The Dutch court didn't agree. In turning down his request it indicated that associated with one's official age came rights such as to vote and obligations such as attending school. In addition, years of records would be altered. Here are more details from the Herald-Whig. 

Ratelband indicates he will appeal the decision.

Another approach to eliminating age discrimination is the same as eliminating mentioning race in media coverage. At one time, baby boomers recall, race was frequently cited in media reporting. Then, that was banned.

The same restriction can be imposed on mentioning age. Currently, of course, one's age is plastered across the internet. It is also regularly included in media reports. Ratelband is on the money: Ageism hurts careers. Here is my article on that form of discrimination or lack of diversity published on Odwyerpr.com. 

Age should become irrelevant. Even in medical matters it is becoming less of a predictable variable. One medical doctor asked me if I had all my original body parts - such as my own knees and hips. I answered "yes." The doctor was visibly surprised. She shouldn't have been. 

Attention is the currency of the 21^st century. Jane Genova helps you get it for products, services, points of view, causes, branding, careers after-50, and college admission.

In addition, this blog welcomes sponsored content.

Free consultation janegenova374@gmail.com

 

Kate Spade, Gabriel MacConaill, Scott Stearney - Suicide as New Normal at Top of Food Chain

"Rattled."

That's the way the 20,000 sailors who had been under the late Vice Admiral Scott Stearney's command are being described as. He had committed suicide last week in his home in Bahraini, where he was stationed.

Although no foul play is suspected, the U.S. Navy's Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), along with the Bahraini Ministry of the Interior, will be investigating. Here are more details from the Daily Mail. 

However, suicide has become the new normal among high achievers who are Americans. Stearney is an American. Overall in the U.S. the suicide rate has increased 33% in the past 20 years. Here is more on that from USA Today.

Recently, in the legal sector brandname bankruptcy law partner Gabriel MacConaill took his own life. Along his emotional downward trajectory, he wife suggested he should go the emergency room for help. He replied that such a formal request for assistance with a mental health issue would ruin his career. 

The reality is that in high-powered careers a façade of being totally in control must be maintained. That's just the way it is. Vulnerability invites attack. Superiors, clients, stockholders, and the media demand an in-charge persona. 

And that is probably a major factor in making suicide the new normal among those at the top of their professions. There is no option for them to admit: Right now, I just can't handle this. Not too long ago, designer Kate Spade also took her life. Admitting she could be "losing it" could have tarnished her brand. To her it likely made sense to end her life rather than hurt her baby, that is, the brand she had created. 

Is the solution to motivate leaders and managers to seek out professional help? Probably not. Sure, health records are supposedly confidential but the system could be hacked or an insider could be paid to leak information. 

Perhaps what high achievers have to do until mental health crises become acceptable is to continually evaluate what tasks and people they can deal with. And which they should delegate to others or develop a cover story to ditch. 

The new bottom line in careers might be stated: You must take care of yourself and only you know what you need.

Attention is the currency of the 21^st century. Jane Genova helps you get it for products, services, points of view, causes, branding, careers after-50, and college admission.

In addition, this blog welcomes sponsored content.

Free consultation janegenova374@gmail.com

Those Two JDs from Yale Law School Whom We Can't Forgive

In Canada, Scotiabank Arena had lots of empty seats. They were vacant because, as Maureen Dowd points out, The Clintons have become irrelevant to Canadians. 

In America, in addition to becoming weary of that brainy duo from Yale Law School, we have decided not to forgive them their sins. We have waiting a long time willing to bestow on them redemption. But they simply haven't shown signs of having learned anything from the suffering that comes with sinning.

In contrast, there is Monica Lewinsky. Through myriad venues she has told us how suffering had changed her. Those psychic and external shifts are palpable.

She engages with her diverse audiences as a real human being who has been through the wringer. With self-forgiveness she confesses how she was culpable in the bizarre sexual encounter with The Big Creep (Bill Clinton). In turn, we forgive her. 

What is puzzling is why the two smart and manipulative Clintons can't conjure up images for themselves which would fit the times. Instead they cling to the personas which were power tools when they had influence. 

The influence has mostly faded. The movers and shakers are fresh faces such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and rebrands such as Barack Obama. 

The influence will be a total wrap when the Drudge Report ceases any link to media coverage about that. We can cover that one year of that non-coverage with a flashing blue light.

Attention is the currency of the 21^st century. Jane Genova helps you get it for products, services, points of view, causes, branding, careers after-50, and college admission.

In addition, this blog welcomes sponsored content.

Free consultation janegenova374@gmail.com

 

Jones Day - Possible Collateral Damage in Fall of Trump Administration

It was a tipping point: the Michael Cohen plea. 

The odds are greatly improved on the fall of the Trump Administration.

Of course, those sorts of shifts don't happen overnight. Baby boomers recall how slowly the process was which achieved the resignation of U.S. president Richard Nixon. 

But, as with Watergate, there will be plenty of collateral damage beyond the Trump Administration itself. 

One influence entity which could get whacked is elite law firm Jones Day.

Since its then-partner Don McGahn represented the Make America Great campaign, Jones Day's signature has evolved into the go-to firm for the Trump Administration.

That branding has served it well. As Joe Patrice points out in Abovethelaw.com, Jones Day has been aggressively promoting that contact. That's what "network marketing" is all about.

However, every professional, from power player to the wage slave whose boss gets fired, knows the brutal dynamics of guilt by association. 

Jones Day branding and actual business could be badly wounded if the current U.S. president steps down - or worse. The worse could include fighting back against allegations and being impeached and/or being convicted of a serious crime.

Not that Jones Day is entirely sitting pretty right now.

It not only lost the trial and all the appeals for client Sherwin-Williams in the California public nuisance lead paint class action lawsuit. Despite the insight available from continually hiring former U.S. Supreme Court clerks, Jones Day couldn't get that high court to review Sherwin-Williams' conviction. Now, as Forbes reports, predictably other municipalities are filing public nuisance class action lead paint lawsuits against Sherwin-Williams. It's possible lead paint could mutate into the next tobacco.

On Glassdoor, at its headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio, employees give it a 2.7 rating out of a possible 5. The overall beef is that management doesn't seem to care. 

At the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania office, partner Laura Ellsworth ran unsuccessfully for governor. On the plus side, that got her name into the politics loop. On the negative, a loss is a loss.

America operates a binary game: You will or you lose. The white space in between doesn't tally.

Ellsworth's obituary could start with that loser of a campaign. Or, it she acquires political skills and the right contacts, the first sentence in the obituary could salute her accomplishments in elected or appointed office.

Takeaway: If the Trump Administration slides into ruin, the barbarians at the gate could go on the attack against Jones Day.

Other lawyers may be able to poach some of its business.

Law schools could boycott its recruiting outreach on campus.

And, who knows, after the heated exchange between SCOTUS chief justice John Roberts and Trump, clerks could be discouraged from being interviewed for full-time employment at Jones Day.

Attention is the currency of the 21^st century. Jane Genova helps you get it for products, services, points of view, causes, branding, careers after-50, and college admission.

In addition, this blog welcomes sponsored content.

Free consultation janegenova374@gmail.com