I like Communications Directors. I really do. If you had any idea how much I liked and respected the job and the people that do it you would realize this is not really a snip at anyone but, after yesterday's post in which Ms. Buckler is quoted categorically but personally denied a matter in relation to the Cadman affair...a matter in which she was not involved, I just find this too a bit odd:
The Prime Minister's communications director, Sandra Buckler, has said that Mr. Brodie "does not recall" discussing the issue. On Tuesday, Mr. Harper denied that Mr. Brodie was a source of the leak — but he appeared to be referring to a diplomatic memo that described the key conversation between an adviser to Mr. Obama and Canada's consul-general in Chicago, Georges Rioux.Could Mr. Brodie say that please? And why use phrases like "does not recall"? If is either a euphemism - code for "embarrassed and wants this to go away"- or it is pointing out that a high government official has a bit of a leaky mind. For me, a communications director should not be the source of anything, should be the comforter, the explainer.
Without necessarily getting into the substance, what do you think the role should be?
Comments
sean liddle - March 6, 2008 9:42 am
IMHO, a communications director, in an honest corporation, directs others on how to properly and coherently write PR documentation, who should be involved in ribbon cutting ceremonies (pretty smiley people and people with visible disabilities and such to make the corp seem all inclusive), helps ensure that people know who to call for info when the press calls Bob the Forklift operator's supervisor after he shows up and goes postal one day and they supervise creation of policies opertaining to how the corporation deals with the public's requests for informtion.
In a dishonest corporation, every time anyone outside of the corporation calls, they get funneled to the CD's office for a pre-written, ass covering response. Also, they tend to explain away embarassing honest responses made by terrible employess of said corporation who don't bother to follow the rules and divert all queries to the CD's office.
http://www.calvin.edu/academic/cas/gpa/weserems.htm
Hans - March 6, 2008 10:57 am
the denier should make the denial first-hand. the Communications person could present a letter in which the denial was made but right now we don't if it is Sandra that used the term "doesn't recall" or if she is paraphrasing or interpreting.