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Adam Shapiro
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America’s #1 Sunday Morning Host Joins Us for a Saturday BBQ

This blog is a place to discuss important ideas but also a venue for me to share great things my clients are up to. One event I want to let you know about is coming up at The Occidental. See below for the news release.  

 

BBQ, BOURBON, BEER AND BOB (SCHIEFFER) TOGETHER FOR A SUMMER KICK-OFF TO BENEFIT NON-PROFIT AT THE OCCIDENTAL

 

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Four of D.C.’s most beloved “Bs” will soon join forces to celebrate the start of summer at Occidental Grill & Seafood (www.occidentaldc.com), the capital’s premier restaurant known for providing the best in food and hospitality. The“ Bs”  are:

  • BBQ including slow smoked beef brisket, pulled pork sandwiches, pork belly sliders,  NOLA style BBQ shrimp as well as Chesapeake Gold Oysters;
  • Bourbon featuring partners Bulleit Bourbon, Woodford Reserve and Filibuster Bourbon;
  • Beer from Port City Brewing Company; and
  • Bob Schieffer, host, CBS News “Face the Nation” and singer with “Honky Tonk Confidential.”

All these elements will be out in force Sat., June 15 from Noon–3 p.m. on the Occidental’s patio that faces Pennsylvania Avenue, two blocks from The White House. The event will be a great way to enjoy summer as well as support MicroGreens (www.microgreensproject.org), a non-profit that helps families shop for, prepare and enjoy healthy foods within the confines of a government supplemented budget. Ten percent of the proceeds from the event will be donated to MicroGreens.

 
“We are going to have cookers right out on the patio—the smells are going to be incredible. Washington will be salivating over the best BBQ you can imagine. This will be an all-you-can-eat event so bring your appetite. And nothing goes better with BBQ than great bourbon and beer from our partners. We are especially grateful that Bob Schieffer and the band will be performing and putting on a fun show for the whole family,” says Matt Baker, the Occidental Chef du Cuisine and organizer of the event.
 
The occasion will also feature the Occidental’s signature corn bread, slaw and pickle bar, blueberry cobbler, fudge brownies and snow cones. Advance tickets are $55 ($60 at the door) and $35 for children under 15 ($40 at the door). Tickets are available now at: http://occidental.eventbrite.com/#. The Occidental is located at 1475 Pennsylvania Ave.

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The Occidental, adjacent to the renowned Willard InterContinental, was established in 1906. Today, the Occidental continues its historical tradition, providing Washington, D.C., with the best in food and hospitality. It remains a place where notables set out to eat; it is “Where Statesmen Dine.” www.occidentaldc.com   MEDIA CONTACT: Adam Shapiro Adam.Shapiro@adampr.tv 202-427-3603

With Charity for All

An important new book about the non-profit sector is reviewed in The Wall Street Journal: http://on.wsj.com/113366z

The critique reminds me of wise words I heard from a trusted source in New York City last week: “I don’t want my communications consultants to be mission-driven. That’s my job. I want them to take the best of what they’ve learned from the commercial world and apply it to our mission.”

 

In Defense of Matt Lauer

Since everyone seems to be piling on Matt Lauer, let me add a few thoughts to counter the narrative. Ann Curry, while incredibly passionate about international affairs, wasn’t able to be an effective journalist within the five- to seven-minute time period that morning TV operates in. I say this with knowledge from having seen her interviews for years and from working closely with her and her producers on a segment that aired shortly after she took over as co-host.

Ann was provided with all the background info she needed. There was even a taped, set-up piece that led into her live interview with the client. Her job was  to: 1.) bring out the emotional elements that TV needs in that kind of format from the guests; and 2.) advance the story beyond the set-up piece.

For whatever reason, Ann wasn’t able to hit these points on this particular morning. She was confused and unprepared for the topic at hand. And, there are many other examples. The viewer was the loser in this exchange.

Matt may not have liked Ann; Ann may not have excelled at cooking segments; maybe her clothes weren’t the right color, etc., etc.

But the most important thing is that in a morning news segment there is a beginning/middle/end and dramatic points to hit along the way. Media trainers and PR consultants understand the formula but Ann Curry never did.

Lauer on the cover of New York magazine

 

For the Record

On this website, in May, I predicted Obama or Romney would be troubled by a debate performance that was deemed either under- or over-prepared. Indeed, that’s exactly what happened to Obama (under). Politics isn’t brain surgery. You just need to know your modern history.

A compelling story

The basis of good media relations is a compelling story. Sometimes those stories are easier to find than at other times. With Orthocare Innovations (www.orthocareinnovations.com), it’s new technology that will help patients with artificial legs is a natural winner. Then it’s a matter of finding the right reporter and combining the narrative with arresting images. Here’s how it all came together recently in The Wall Street Journal. In print, it appeared on the front of the B section.  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444318104577587141033340190.html