Press Tips

Essential Tips for Conducting Effective Actions

Media
Use the Media! Just because we own the press doesn’t mean that we can take them for granted. (They need to at least give the appearance of impartiality.)
∗    Develop a press list with phone, e-mail and/or fax info for reporters likely to cover our actions.
∗    Contact these people prior to an action via a press advisory and follow-up phone call.
∗    Designate a particular Billionaire as the media contact — your Local Media Mogul — so that person develops a personal rapport with the reporters.
∗    Assign or hire someone in advance to shoot still photography for your events. You and your descendants will derive years of pleasure from sitting around the mansion and reminiscing about the days when you dressed in your finery and bought the presidency. Post the photos on our web site with a description of your action!
∗    Media advisories should indicate that the action will offer interesting photo opportunities, and describe them, when contacting reporters and photo editors. Don’t forget the photo editors!
∗    For an excellent guide to working with the media, please visit : <website>

Considerations for any disruption attempt
∗    Although in reality, you may be “disrupting” the event — theatrically, as Billionaires, you are always “contributing” to the event. Even in the midst of being escorted out by police, you are asking, “But why, officer, we’re just here to support… There must be some misunderstanding.” Stay in character.
∗    Don’t just rehearse, role play the scenario. Have members of your team play the speaker, event organizers, other attendees, security, the cops, etc. Play out various ways the action could go. Get comfortable responding “like a Billionaire” and staying on message in many of the possible situations that could arise.
∗    Be sensitive to security concerns in these days of code orange alerts; don’t make sudden moves in tense situations and be attuned to whether it’s really a good idea that you insist you remain at any given event.

Know Your Audience
∗    Remember, we need to reach people where they are, and on issues where there’s some common ground. If you’re trying to reach swing voters who tend to support the war, set aside topics such as no-bid contracts for rebuilding, and the benefits of wartime weapons economics for our surging stock portfolio. Instead focus on economic issues: tax breaks for the rich, indifference toward job loss, etc.
∗    Messaging can be more aggressive at events where the audience is more in agreement with us, like on college campuses or in the blue states.

Frequently the organizers of Tea Party type events are not very pleased when Billionaires for Wealthcare decide to participate. They seem to want to control the event, and want to suppress our message of appreciation for the their defense of Wealthcare. Whatever the reason for their unwelcoming stance, these actions can require varying degrees of stealthiness and, eventually, disruption. Each chapter should choose for themselves the type of actions they’re comfortable with. But all participants at all actions should adhere to our strict standards for Billionaire behavior. Remember to stay in character and on message! Our goal is to ensure the our wealth gets the care it deserves. We are rich, and in control. (For example, if we are not on the guest list and are asked to leave, it must be because our assistant failed to RSVP for us.) Always remain extremely friendly and positive. If it takes people a little while to catch on, so much the better.

A NOTE ON DISRUPTION: There are many different ways to do a disruption. The most effective disruption is not necessarily the most confrontational one. An effective disruption can be silent or extremely loud, sudden or gradual, stealthy or obvious. How you do it will partly depend on the specifics of the event you are disrupting and the level of confrontation you’re willing to engage in.

Below you’ll find descriptions of several types of actions. There are endless variations on these themes. Actions below are the basic elements of a robust Billionaire action portfolio.

Thank You Rallies Outside a Tea Party or Anti-Reform Event  This is a good entry-level activity for new Billionaires. Bring fliers and signs and stand outside event to greet people as they arrive. American flags are useful props to generate immediate feelings of patriotism and affection for the President, and make it more likely participants will be receptive to our message. Billionaires may attempt to engage participants in a brief “recruitment” conversation before handing them a leaflet. Be prepared to provide a good photo opportunity if the media arrives: have a banner or large sign that says Billionaires for Wealthcare, and well-dressed Billionaires with props and signs. This action can also be paired nicely with Guerrilla Q&A and/or a simple Infiltrate and Mingle to observe reactions on the inside and speak further with the participants.

Mix in With Real Supporters  Since Billionaires are already supporters of Wealthcare, you can join in with the crowd at any of his campaign events. Stay together as a group, but mix in. Try to get a good location where he, the media, and others can see you. Always stay in character. If he’s giving a speech, judge the mood of the crowd and the level of surveillance. Even though your chants are “positive” they can be delivered in a disruptive way. However, you may not want to be disruptive, particularly if security is tight. Often it can be more effective to just cheer super-enthusiastically (“Huzzah!”) at the right moments, and have your rich costumes, and the written messages on your banners/signs/leaflets tell the other side of the story. Use your humor and positiveness to disarm others. Remember: you are the most important and enthusiastic group that benefits from the current health care system. Try to make contact with the leaders of a rally or their proxies. Try to lure them into a photo op with you and one of your signs. If you actually have the opportunity to interact with them, remember are peers — speak to him as one wealthy, powerful citizen would speak to another.

Posted on | September 7, 2009 | Comments

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