Read It and Rate It

A Lavish Party Makes Friends
But Draws Criticism
Success or failure?
You decide (and maybe win a prize!).

by Katie Delahaye Paine

I recently was talking to an organization about their community relations program. Their relationship with the town had gone from icy to warm and cooperative in just a few years, and everyone was speculating about what had caused the turnaround. I suggested that it was the result of the invitation of all the town's elected officials and influentials to a major party that the organization had thrown in celebration of a new CEO.

Everyone cringed as soon as I mentioned it. As it turns out, the local press had slammed the organization for the lavishness of the party, and many key managers and board members had joined in the critique. So in the minds of the PR team, who were focused on the media, it had been a disaster.

But, in fact, it was the first time in 50 years that town officials had seen an invitation from this organization, and it had had a huge impact. Lines of communications were opened, the new CEO clearly sent a message of inclusion, and the organization's fundamental community relationships were altered for the better.

Now it's your turn, dear readers, what do you say? Was the event a success or a failure? What additional information or data, if any, would settle the question decisively? Send your response to kdpaine@kdpaine.com. If, in our expert opinion, yours is the best answer, you will win your choice of a free white paper or a fabulous KDPaine & Partners travel blanket.

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