The Bimbo Awards take a tongue in cheek look at prominent figures placing their feet firmly in their own mouths. Created by Merrie Spaeth of Spaeth Communications, the criterion for nomination is that the quote causes the listener to believe exactly the opposite of what is being said.
“The winning Bimbo this month goes to who else but Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. His oft repeated line, “I didn’t do anything wrong. I’m not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing,” was voiced endlessly.
(He must be bucking for a book. That’s the only explanation for skipping his own impeachment trial to visit virtually every national TV outlet, including The View, where he refused Joy Behar’s request to say “I’m not a crook.” This was a surreal chapter in American politics.)
MSNBC, “Blagojevich: Corruption arrest ‘surreal,’” January 26, 2009″
Beyond being an excellent source of humor, the Awards serve as a reminder of the trouble poor media training and lack of a polished crisis response plan can bring. Don’t end up a Bimbo, be prepared!
JB
Jonathan Bernstein
www.bernsteincrisismanagement.com