RT @mjkeliher:..you’re entitled to the services of legal counsel…what if you’re thrust into the court of public opinion? [link to post]

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Thanks for stopping by, Ken.

I agree with the point about selecting clients well, and especially appreciate the instinct of Joann Killeen that this woman just needed help managing the media in with an extraordinary circumstance.

Because for organizations and, at times, individuals, media relations is a management function. And while the ability to manage it well doesn’t require constitutional protection or a bar exam, it does require a level of insight, sound judgment, experience and familiarity with journalism and the media environment that does not come naturally for most organizations or citizens.

Point being, obtaining sound communications counsel and assistance is a smart thing to do, it’s an essential function to manage, and — particularly in a crisis — it’s much better handled by a professional.

You touch on another important factor to consider, at least in terms of how our choice in clients reflects on our own reputations — that is, the intent of the PR pro herself. And though I’m far less familiar with Joann Killeen than it seems you are, I share your perception of her, her work and her intent. That makes this situation all the more unfortunate.

I have a post on this about half written, and it hinges on the ethics of how we select our clients. Whom we choose to represent tends to shape our professional reputations.

I’m not one who believes just anyone “deserves” PR representation (in the same sense as legal counsel). If that were the case, someone among us might have represent terrorist group or serial killers. Those are extreme examples, but should illustrate my point. We don’t want to be shilling for Satan.

In her interview with Larry King, Joann Killeen, Nadya Suleman’s PR counsel, said she took on the project because she felt this young woman needed someone to help her navigate the media circus. Joann said didn’t charge a fee and has not profited at all from the account. I believe her.

As she also points out, Nadya didn’t PLAN to have 8 kids. The fertility doctor who handled her other pregnancies used the same procedure each time. One can question the doc’s ethics, to be sure, but there was no plan for a multiple birth. I’m not condoning what Nadya did, as it’s a tad deviant, but it wasn’t part of some diabolical plot to double the size of her family and bleed the social welfare system.

So in the end, I agree with you. Is it so crazy to think that Joann Killeen, a mother and grandmother herself, really wanted to do something to help these kids and their mom? For her troubles, she received numerous death threats along with the hateful comments of bloggers and media pundits — all undeserved.

I should tell you that I’ve know Joann for more than a decade through out involvement in PRSA. She is a respected PR professional, not some carnival publicist.