What Do Big Brother and Public Relations Have in Common?
Next week, Big Brother’s 24th season will debut on CBS. For those who do not watch, the reality competition follows individuals of varying ages and backgrounds as they live in a house together cut off from the outside world. The group competes in a series of physical, mental and sometimes-silly challenges while navigating house politics and being recorded 24 hours a day thanks to surveillance in every inch of the house. Each week, someone is voted off until there are just a few housemates left. The show culminates with a handful of evicted houseguests voting which remaining houseguest should win the grand prize of $500,000.
The season got me to thinking about how Big Brother champions and public relations folks are alike.
First, no one can do it alone. We both need a team to support us if we are to be successful.
Second, there is no true “off the record.” In PR, we train our clients to understand anything they say may be used by the media or public at large. The same is true in the Big Brother house. Words matter.
Third, expect the unexpected. This oft-used phrase on Big Brother when a twist is impending is also important to a good PR person. This is why we are trained in crisis and issues management and work regularly to help pivot brands based on market, business or world changes.
And finally, you must have a strategy. A public relations campaign without a sound strategy behind it works about as well as a Big Brother contestant who no plan for making big moves, holding back and connecting with key alliance members.
