Why did so many leading PR agencies fail to accurately grasp the discontented mood of Londoners and predict that Boris Johnson would win the London Mayoralty contest?
In an article for PR Week, only three out of 10 top agencies stated that they felt Boris stood a chance of winning. They were Bell Pottinger, Hanover Communications and DLA Piper.
The remaining seven predicted that Ken would retain his title for a third term. They were Insight Public Affairs, Weber Shandwick, Edelman, Lexington Communications, Open Road, Sovereign Strategy and Fishburn Hedges.
One CEO is even quoted as saying: "Better the devil you know than someone whose competence is in doubt."
That is so complacent, and that is why Ken is out.
Boris’ victory speech was truly magnanimous, I don’t think anyone could doubt his competence then.
Congratulations Boris!
Clearly, the 3 agencies who called Boris’s victory correctly are in tune with public opinion. Unlike the other 7 PR agencies who were listening to the “chattering classes” – which is apparently what Brown and his Labour cronies have been doing.
Well done Boris. The Labour blogs are crying out for Ken as if he was a decent mayor. Maybe they and Ken should step outside Zone for a change and see how neglected this city is.
http://lettersfromatory.wordpress.com
I have a soft spot for Boris and I’m glad he won. If only for the entertainment value!
Pip, absolutey!! London is very lucky.
Is Boris a good thing? Is real butter good on bread?
Not knowing anything about politics over there, is this a good thing? Hope so!
Hooray for Boris. Does this mean he’ll be able to start writing his column again? Hope so. I’ve missed him.
Boris IS the business – there’s only one Boris Johnson! And all of him utterly fabulous.
I sometimes wonder what planet people like “Kathryn” are living on.
Yours in East Finchley
Has to be built on now, Ellee.
I agree Ellee – we have to see what Boris actually does before we condemn or praise him too much. I dont live in London any more but will be interested to see what happens.
Kathryn, nobody is perfect, and I’m sure Boris would hold his hand up to his imperfections, as would Ken. Why not give Boris a chance to prove himself in this role, see what happens during his first 100 days in office and what his mandate is, and then let me know what you think.
Its a disaster, an absolute disaster. And interesting that so many of Boris’ supporters on this site don’t even appear to live in London – perhaps if they did they might appreciate that Ken has done a good job, rather than blindly toeing the Tory party line. Pulling in the Olympics and pulling the city together after the horrors of 7/7 count as major successes for Ken, I don’t think Boris’ blustering intention to hold “some sort of competition” to design a new routemaster is quite on the same scale somehow is it?
And Ken’s “moral sins”…well, his replacement is a man who gives out the number of journalists their pals wish to beat up, cheats on his wife then denies it, and who states that gay marriage can only be a “ludicrous parody of the real thing” (cheating and all one can only presume) – hardly someone in a position to claim moral superiority? Its horrifying that people appear to have voted for nothing more than an amusing haircut – for those of us who actually now have to live with a cartoon mayor, its a dark day indeed.
It was indeed a great victory. Well done Boris!
Ellee, I knew voting was taking place in London for the new Mayor, but I had no idea that voting was going on elsewhere. We have seen nothing at all!!! No wonder I don;t vote now. I did when living in Daventry, they came round the streets, knocking at doors…
How are we meant to have confidence in these people, if they cannot come forward and tell us what they propose to do!!!
Yes Congratulations to Boris…I told my mother-in-law he would win. I think he is great!!!
[...] Ellee Seymour offers another PR angle on the Boris victory, questioning why few PR agencies backed old blondie. [...]
Well done to Boris. Despite all the BBC propaganda and bias, he still wins!
I’m glad Boris won. Ken had committed too many moral sins especially with some of the various guests he dined with.
[...] Onto a different kind of PR and Public Relations Consultant, Tory and star-blogger Ellee Seymour points out that 7 out of 10 PR agencies predicted a Livingstone victory. Really? Who’d ever have thought PR people talk out of their rear ends? [...]