What happens when journalists have nothing to report and public relation managers are at their wits end thinking of fresh ideas on how to create publicity for their clients? After all, in Dubai there is only so much you can do! A new building project unveiling, product launches, dhow parties, desert safaris, art exhibitions and not to forget mindless 'Page 3' socialite parties. And with a long waiting list, to be featured in any of the local newspapers, how does one get oneself into a news item on page 2 or even better, page one?
It is all about looking around and making the most of the prevalent mood. In an unfortunate event a 48-year old UAE resident died after he drank a concoction made from the oleander plant, a pretty but poisonous plant, common to the UAE.
A certain consulate in Dubai announced it was to rip out two Oleander plants in its compound to protect visitors and their children. Wow! There was a full article on the upcoming event with a quote from the Honorable Consul General too!
Imagine, public relation managers kicking themselves silly for not thinking of this brilliant idea. Plant Oleander flower plants all over their premises in the night, then in the morning hold a press conference as to why the company is dedicated to pulling out poisonous flower plants. A dream photo opportunity, showing the CEO of the company or board members getting their hands dirty doing hard work, pulling out plants. Then release a full page ad lauding them for making Dubai a safer place for the company's visitors and their children who may have wanted to eat the office plants.
And if you think killing rodents and insects would get your company a news story? Try another idea, cause Nakheel's already done that with their news story on the extermination of rodents, some of which lived and reproduced in apartments. So what next? Swat germ carrying flies in the fish market? Swat disease spreading mosquitoes around the city or even better still catch polluting air in glass jars to contain air pollution from reaching the ozone?
The haunted ghaf tree, behind Ski Dubai, the largest indoor ski slope in the world seems to be a more interesting read. At times, reading the local newspapers make you wonder what is more dangerous? Nuclear holocaust or falling victim to poisonous flowers, rodents who live in flats and not the least haunted ghaf trees supposedly possessed by genies!
Better check your gardens! There might be a hidden photo opportunity there!
Related Articles:
Consulate rips out oleanders - Gulf News, 18 May 07
Nakheel moves in to exterminate rats - Gulf News, 19 May 07
Leaving the ghaf alone - Gulf News, 18 May, 07
1 comment:
I can see the next big craze in Dubai already.."flowers are evil! They must be destroyed!"
Who would have thought that the apocalypse of our world would come at the hands of poisonous flowers? tch tch...actually, the press in Dubai must be lauded for their use of vivid imagination, fairytales and creativity in coming up with stories such as these. They're definitely entertaining if nothing else...
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