Walter Winchell was the most influential
newspaper columnist of the 1930s and 1940s, a time when
newspapers were the most powerful media in the world. He
rose from obscurity as a third-rate vaudeville performer
to become feared, d and widely imitated.
His famous quote for success?
"The fastest way to become famous," he said,
"is to throw a brick at someone famous."
Winchell fought publicly with entertainment's biggest names,
from Al Jolson to Josephine Baker
to Lucille Ball. Later in his career, he
swung toward political reporting. Winchell championed an
unprecedented third term for President Franklin
Roosevelt as well as the Red Scare for Joe
McCarthy.
He threw bricks in every direction. And this made him among
the most famous men in the nation.
Winchell's tactics have been adopted and adapted by scores
of ambitious individuals and organizations.
How did Ralph Nader become famous? By
attacking General Motors.
How did Jesse Jackson become famous? By
claiming that is systemic at virtually every major
U.S. corporation, then attacking those corporations one
by one: Anheuser-Busch, AT&T, Viacom, Verizon, Ford
and on and on. Not only has this made him famous, it has
made him wealthy, with an annual income estimated to exceed
$300,000.
How did style guru Mr. Blackwell become famous? By issuing
an annual list of the Worst Dressed Women in the World,
and thus attacking some of the most famous females on the
planet.
After more than four decades, Mr. Blackwell's list remains
among the most anticipated - and dreaded - bricks in all
of entertainment and fashion.
Among his recent victims: Princess Stephanie,
pop singer Britney Spears, game show host
Anne Robinson, royal companion Camilla
Parker Bowles, film star Kate Hudson
and TV actress Gillian Anderson.
Check out the sudden ascent that comedian/actress Janeane
Garofalo's career has taken since she took the
lead in attacks on President Bush's policy
in Iraq. Agree or disagree with her, there's no doubt that
throwing bricks at the White House has benefited her.
"Before this I was a moderately well-known character
actress," Garofalo recently told the Washington
Post. "Now, I'm almost famous." (another
famous quote)
Famous and with enough popularity to warrant an ABC sitcom,
as well as more than 784,000 Google hits using her name alone.
Throw the right brick at the right person, and you
gain fame & popularity.
Obviously, throwing a brick isn't for everyone. It takes a
strong stomach, a steady nerve and the willingness to dodge
a few bricks thrown in your direction.
But it works!
The keys to creating a Targeted Newsworthy Appeal with
this tactic are to find the right brick and the right target.
The right brick is a criticism or a charge that:
Your target cannot easily deny or dismiss with a few
well-chosen words.
Arouses your target audience - your potential customers
or clients - to take action against the target.
Brings your issue into stark clarity for the public
to see, to study and to digest.
The right target is:
An industry leader with a well-known brand name.
A famous person who practices or champions what you
oppose.
The PR Rainmaker knows: Walter Winchell was right. If you
want to become popular & famous fast, throw a brick.
Copyright 2003 by W.O. Cawley Jr.
About the Author
Rusty Cawley
is a 20-year veteran journalist who now coaches executives,
entrepreneurs and professionals on using the news media
to attract customers and to advance ideas. For your free
copy of the hot new e-book "PR Rainmaker," please visit
http://www.prrainmaker.com/ right now.
If this information has helped you,
please help me.
Or, Click here to try the new and improved search engine for this website.
