This Sunday’s Observer proved to be a good read and has given me some blogging inspiration. First up, Jeremy Clarkson is in trouble again for stating opinions that clash with middle England. His comments about strikers deserving to be executed (The One Show) guaranteed him some bad press and that was admirably followed up by some narrative about the poor judgement shown by those committing suicide by jumping in front of trains (his position being based upon the significant inconvenience they cause to the commuting public).
There is a marketing/PR expression that no news is bad news and I am sure that Clarkson buys into that concept. He is of course well known for similar outpourings and I am sure that he (and indeed his agent) judges his success on the column inches published by the press and the number of complaints generated by his acerbic rants. Negative publicity of this nature is great for his profile, particularly whilst Top Gear is off the air.
Clarkson writes for the Sun and is no doubt loved by its readers; I bet that the Sun editorial people take some satisfaction that his comments in the Sun generated coverage in the Observer (in fact a good chunk of page 9 and then a full page Observer profile on p35 - and how much would that cost if you could buy it?). When Clarkson has to say ‘sorry’ he gets even more coverage … perfect! That reminds me of the maxim ‘it’s much easier to apologise for something afterwards than ask for permission first’. The daft thing is that Clarkson probably doesn’t even believe his published ‘opinions’ but then being more balanced wouldn’t guarantee media interest.
Those complaining about his wit, style and opinions won’t make any difference because Clarkson is arguably a British institution, loved by many and entitled to have his say. He’s hardly Frankie Boyle either.
If you are really upset by him then don’t moan to the media, just stop watching Top Gear, buying his books or reading the Sun. Ratings is where it will hurt him.
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There is a marketing/PR expression that no news is bad news and I am sure that Clarkson buys into that concept. He is of course well known for similar outpourings and I am sure that he (and indeed his agent) judges his success on the column inches published by the press and the number of complaints generated by his acerbic rants. Negative publicity of this nature is great for his profile, particularly whilst Top Gear is off the air.
Clarkson writes for the Sun and is no doubt loved by its readers; I bet that the Sun editorial people take some satisfaction that his comments in the Sun generated coverage in the Observer (in fact a good chunk of page 9 and then a full page Observer profile on p35 - and how much would that cost if you could buy it?). When Clarkson has to say ‘sorry’ he gets even more coverage … perfect! That reminds me of the maxim ‘it’s much easier to apologise for something afterwards than ask for permission first’. The daft thing is that Clarkson probably doesn’t even believe his published ‘opinions’ but then being more balanced wouldn’t guarantee media interest.
Those complaining about his wit, style and opinions won’t make any difference because Clarkson is arguably a British institution, loved by many and entitled to have his say. He’s hardly Frankie Boyle either.
If you are really upset by him then don’t moan to the media, just stop watching Top Gear, buying his books or reading the Sun. Ratings is where it will hurt him.
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