What do Mormons and the Furry Fandom have in common? Next to nothing. However, both face the same problem when it comes to answering ridicule: how to react appropriately and at the same time ask their own community to not engage in an embarrassing debate. Trey Parker and Matt Stone of Southpark fame wrote a satirical musical called Book or Mormon which will premier next month on New York Broadway. This is the official statement by the LDS Church. Quite brilliant, from a PR point of view: they do not take the bait, do not criticize the musical, don't say they're offended, don't try to justify themselves, they just state what's important to them. And, more directed at their own fellowship than at outsiders, they link to their general stance on media coverage, which remarkably well explains how to react on unfavorable reports and fiction without getting into a defensive position.
On the other hand, the comments on the Deseret News article show how futile it is to ask to just ignore a provocation.
Comments
zefirodragon.livejournal.com 13 years, 9 months ago
A glimpse of things to come?
Link | Replytchk.livejournal.com 13 years, 9 months ago
We've already had our musical.
But if Trey Parker and Matt Stone wish to write another, I'm all ears.
More seriously, it would do us well to adopt this attitude towards negative reports. Just state the positive, repeatedly, and never get drawn into meaningless tussles.
Link | ReplyNew Comment