Tyler Perry: Success? God Did It. 01/26/2012
By: Dennis Maurice Dumpson How many of us are searching for success; looking for a breakthrough; or trying to find your niche? I can feel everyone's hands lifting! Mine sure is! I was so inspired by what Tyler Perry said in this post and truly it is nothing but the grace of God that will allow us to be one with our purpose and live our dreams. Check out Mr. Perry's words and be inspired! Add Comment Spoken Word vs. Thoughtful Words: A message to Spike Lee & other bitter people of color... 01/25/2012
By: Dennis Maurice Dumpson Earlier today, I saw the video posted below and it made me see so clearly some of the major issues we face when fighting for progress -- Divisive, Bull-Headed Folks. The video below is about Spike Lee's new film, Red Hook Summer, but he touches on Tyler Perry a little and then on the controversy George Lucas faced putting out Red Tails. See the video below and then my views are below. Full Q&A from Sundance's Red Hook Premiere (Part in question at 15:30) Click here to see his interview with Entertainment Weekly the next day. I, personally, find Spike Lee to be a great filmmaker, but extremely bitter, condescending, divisive, and self-defeating (and not just from this vignette, but from a myriad of things he has said in the past on a wide variety of topics). While I know George Lucas' issues with funding Red Tails (a film about the Tuskegee Airmen featuring a predominantly African American cast) are not new in the world film-making, this presented an opportunity for Directors like Lee, Singleton, Gray, Perry, etc to truly unite using the press that Lucas was able to acquire and expose the issues of race, exclusion, and diversity (lack thereof) in Film. Instead, we get "This isn't new..I've been saying it for years..." or "Why does it take a white man to have issues for there to be change..." Does it really matter? Capitalize off of the momentum and passion that is building today, but instead you let all that die out with your timid squeals of disapproval shared in the closet of Black America. In my opinion, the smarter suggestion is to use this opportunity to advance the mission (Shout out to President Obama's State of the Union address last night) and not complain "I've been saying this for years!" Use the opportunity to say it while it has the ears of so many folks who never listened before (from all races). The power of the voice of African-Americans is not in our complaints or theories of corruption, but our voice is most powerful when it is combined with our thought. So many others are smart enough to capitalize off of the African-American experience and dollar, but we have yet to come to grips with the fact that we are using our voice with little thought behind it. We are getting angry, showing passion, but our head and voice is not in the game. We need to focus on getting our way and being extremely intelligent in how we do it. #WeCallThatDiplomacy... Life and death is in the power of the tongue, I feel like we've been killing ourselves, instead of breathing life into our businesses, communities, industry, and people. In reality we have to think beyond "Why?" It is now bigger than why did this happen or why did George Lucas have to say something to bring attention to the plight of Black films, instead use this as an opportunity to capitalize off of the attention & energy, just as Lucas will benefit (whether that is his intention or not) off of the ticket buying power of African Americans who went out in droves to support the film (which is AWESOME by the way!). Now, we need to say: "Look George got some attention...let's capitalize off the moment (smells like the perfect time to create a movement to me! Now that's revolution...)" and HOLD Lucas accountable to be part of the conversations that happen moving forward concerning the appreciation of black films. We have to work Hollywood like Hollywood has worked us for damn near a century...with intelligence and diplomacy. Granted he is probably frustrated, but now your frustration is received as being bitter and people are not trying to hear you. All that voice, all that passion, is now misinterpreted and Red Hook Summer and your next movie, too are still funded straight out of your pocket. Well today work smarter not harder, is my message to Spike... don't get lost in your emotions so much that you can't remember the mission! Your voice and the voice of African-American film makers is needed TODAY...let's make that our focus. The topic of quality African American film being widely distributed is not old hat it's happening right now, in front of our faces, therefore, use the impression that Red Tails is making to strengthen the point, galvanize communities, and alert people of color about what they truly are supporting when they give their dollars to a movie theater. I just feel like Spike can drive progress in this instance, especially because he is one of the best directors of our time, use all these variables to make a difference...and to ensure your work hasn't gone in vain. By: Dennis Maurice Dumpson
McDonald's recently made an unsuccessful attempt at trying to strengthen their allegiance with customers across the country by asking for stories, #McDStories to be exact. McDonald's made a huge mistake in asking people on twitter to share their McDonald's stories without directing the conversation appropriately. So what is a company to do when they want their customers to share their positive stories? Well for starters, make sure you control the conversation -- quite honestly that is where McDonald’s went wrong. This is your brand...protect it! Unless McDonald's plans to create a spin-off of what has worked famously for Domino's Pizza --- sharing your flaws and customer discontent and making changes accordingly in the face of the public --- this was a huge #McFail. Here are a few tips on what McDonald's and companies of the like can do to avoid Social Media tragedies. 1. Research, Reach Out, Reward Reach out to people who have been faithful supporters. The biggest mistake people make with social networking is that they become delusional and think it’s as simple as: I post, people rave, we win --- NEGATIVE! You start all good marketing efforts by reaching out to people and gathering a team of people who support you --- we call that Buy-In. Research your Twitter mentions, do a search to find people who really have had great experiences with your company; in essence do your research. Once you've found people from across the country send them a Thank you DM (Direct Message) or an inbox message, maybe even include a free coupon thanking them for being a loyal customer. Chances are they will probably be so thankful for the thank you and coupon that they will share it with their friends and their friends will want a piece of the free coupon action, too --- don’t be afraid to reward your customers! Also, research organizations with huge social media communities to share their great experiences. I am sure McDonald's has supported organizations, community programs, etc. and now is the time for you to reach out to those organizations asking them to share why they go to you for support. They will be more than happy to help since you’ve awarded them support in the past. 2. Build Deeper Relationships & Be Clear Make those great supporters your leading social media ambassadors. They've already said favorable things about your company, now continue to cultivate a deeper relationship with them (Yes, even McDonald's can build DEEP relationships!). Engage those supporters, send a retweet of a quote they’ve sent out. They’ll be so excited and impressed by your attention that they’ll have a smile every time they connect with you. In addition, a better option instead of asking for #McDStories would have been to share those stories you’ve researched from your company profile with a hashtag that is clear and shares what you want people to know about your company --- #ThatWasGood or #TheyreLovinIt --- #McDStories is too open-ended and leaves room for people to write good or bad stories (and we all have seen the route people have traveled). I know this may still be a bit superficial in terms of true "connecting," but let's face it, you've connected and built something more personal than you had; and the quality of interaction has increased, because you directed the conversation appropriately. 3. Encourage a Celebration McDonald's participated in what I like to call, LSMM - Lazy Social Media Marketing! You've asked millions of random strangers (and be clear they are strangers, they have no connection to you outside of their digested McRib from last week) across the country to share their stories... And what did you expect to come of this again? There was no direction on how this benefited the customer or why it was important to your company. Maybe if McDonald's approach was "We want to hear from you! Share your positive stories and your story and twitter name maybe featured on an upcoming commercial, our website, or in select McDonald’s restaurants.” they would have seen a greater, more favorable response. Some simple Quid Pro Quo works wonders --- McDonald's forgot the power of a good back scratch! Now you've given people a reason to write favorable comments or experiences --- this doesn’t mean that people will not still be snarky and rude, but it will surely even the playing field of negative and positive comments. Many think that companies like McDonald's shouldn't do e-marketing or social media campaigns, but I do not agree. I believe there is more work that has to be done before you jump into the pool of public opinion and start connecting with followers, fans, etc. Outreach is essential, doing that initial research can benefit your brand in great ways. Secondly, build relationships with your followers; word of mouth is still the best form of marketing around, so give them a reason to support you. And last but not least, people love to celebrate give them a reason to embrace your brand and let them know that everyone WINS when they support you! Simple planning, good research, and thoughtful connecting could avoid your next #McFail! GUESS WHO'S BIZACK! 03/06/2009
It's only been about 14 months since I last posted something on this blog--did you miss me? :-) First Post! 01/09/2008
WELCOME TO MY BLOG! |  About the AuthorDennis Maurice is an author, publicist, fundraiser, marketer, and culture enthusiast in Philadelphia, Pa. Learn more at: http://www.dennismaurice.com ArchivesApril 2012  CategoriesAll |
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