Amazed Dave Benson Phillips or Alpine_Saint haven't brought this up...

[Matthew Le God]

Have they not noticed on Saints player there are interviews with 13 different back-room members of staff?

 

They ALL namecheck Cortese and how say great a job he has done and it all comes over as being led into it by the questioning and that they HAVE to mention him. The HR Officer is clearly glancing at a script throughout and it is not a natural interview.

 

Those interviewed include...

 

HR Officer

Senior Ticket Officer

External Communications advisor

Sales marketing executive

Sous chef

Under 21 coach

Strength and conditioning coach

Sales manager

Club secretary

Academy manager

Halo sales manager

First team physio

Groundsman

 

The External Communications advisor David Bick, admits it his his role to get over to Saints fans the changes at the club in the media. It seems this involves saying how great Cortese is.

 

I do think Cortese is doing a good job, but these interviews are basically "pro Cortese" propaganda more than anything else!

[Dave Benson Phillips]

Why do you think the club has broken its relationship with the Echo and making ALL news come from the official site?

 

Because they can control the content.

 

Expect the gloves to come off from the Echo in the next few weeks though, especially if their ban is upheld.

 

You can say what you like about the Echo, but the OS is nothing more than "pro Cortese" propaganda as you rightly say. Would be nice to have a balance... that's what the Echo gives.

[Brussels Saint]

Yup I saw that and thought it was a bit over the top, but in honesty most seemed pretty happy to mention Cortese. Did not seem "under duress".

 

In this instance though you are wrong about Alps as generally he is pretty pro Cortese.

[Turkish]

we will probably see stuff like this soon..

 

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.thedialecticalplaya.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Stalin1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.thedialecticalplaya.com/%3Fp%3D10899&usg=__GK-sNo8Twh7vnRxoDFE6k5917xM=&h=800&w=550&sz=88&hl=en&start=1&tbnid=Q4-ll4QM896QyM:&tbnh=143&tbnw=98&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dstalin%2Bpropaganda%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1R2RNTN_enGB382%26biw%3D1003%26bih%3D539%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1

 

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.lewrockwell.com/chartier/stalin-with-kids.jpg&imgrefurl=http://thinkingblueguitars.wordpress.com/&usg=__0lD80vuYKJpBJVVZp4RevO5djQU=&h=425&w=298&sz=106&hl=en&start=0&tbnid=l6t1bnza4Zt-hM:&tbnh=124&tbnw=76&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dstalin%2Bpropaganda%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1R2RNTN_enGB382%26biw%3D1003%26bih%3D539%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=775&vpy=69&dur=125&hovh=268&hovw=188&tx=151&ty=147&ei=AuFOTNe6IMzAsAbpp8AQ&page=1&ndsp=19&ved=1t:429,r:6,s:0

Edited 27 July, 2010 by Turkish

[alpine_saint]

Couldnt care less, since I reckon he is doing a good job

[revolution saint]

I saw those interviews and they were a bit embarassing. If Lowe had come out with something similar he'd have been slated for it. In the grand scheme of things it doesn't really matter much but it does smack a bit of insecurity.

[JustMike]

Why do you think the club has broken its relationship with the Echo and making ALL news come from the official site?

 

Because they can control the content.

 

Expect the gloves to come off from the Echo in the next few weeks though, especially if their ban is upheld.

 

You can say what you like about the Echo, but the OS is nothing more than "pro Cortese" propaganda as you rightly say. Would be nice to have a balance... that's what the Echo gives.

 

The echo does not give a balance! By the same method you're suggesting the OS gives NC then the same would apply to the echo, each to their own agenda, including your own

[Matthew Le God]

Couldnt care less, since I reckon he is doing a good job

 

Apart from not signing players early?

[Dave Benson Phillips]

The echo does not give a balance! By the same method you're suggesting the OS gives NC then the same would apply to the echo, each to their own agenda, including your own

 

The Echo print good AND bad news.

 

The OS not only print good news, but present alot of it as propeganda.

 

I know which one I think is more balanced.

[Turkish]

Couldnt care less, since I reckon he is doing a good job

 

Alpine in positive comment shocker!! You been at the prozac fella?

[shirleysfc]

The Echo print good AND bad news.

 

The OS not only print good news, but present alot of it as propeganda.

 

I know which one I think is more balanced.

 

For the echo bad news sells. The echo also prints stories based on pure speculation, although I suppose they're kind of forced to at the moment.

 

To be honest I can sort of see both sides in this. I understand the club wanting it's own exclusives on the OS and I can understand the echo's frustration at being frozen out.

[djharvey]

Why do you think the club has broken its relationship with the Echo and making ALL news come from the official site?

 

Because they can control the content.

 

Expect the gloves to come off from the Echo in the next few weeks though, especially if their ban is upheld.

 

You can say what you like about the Echo, but the OS is nothing more than "pro Cortese" propaganda as you rightly say. Would be nice to have a balance... that's what the Echo gives.

 

Would be nice to have a balance and we have had that in the past. I do think though at present if either the club or the echo don't get what they want in terms of communication the balance is thrown out the window.

The official site will always be 'Pro Cortese' it would be utter madness to be anything less.

The Echo will continue to be 'Anti Cortese' whilst it doesn't get the answers it wants/when it wants them from the club.

 

Shame that this is the position as i used to like reading the Echo sport, but now access the OS for the news. Am sure this will rumble on a while but can only see the situation changing if the Echo go cap in hand (as Cortese has the upper hand) to see how they can help resolve the stance.

[Dave Benson Phillips]

For the echo bad news sells. The echo also prints stories based on pure speculation, although I suppose they're kind of forced to at the moment.

 

To be honest I can sort of see both sides in this. I understand the club wanting it's own exclusives on the OS and I can understand the echo's frustration at being frozen out.

 

They are a newspaper.

 

Seriously, how many newspapers around the land DON'T print speculation?

 

I remember people slating the Echo for printing a story about Dickson almost a month before he signed... them same people didn't put their hands up when it turned out to be true.

 

I reckon The Echo will take the gloves off if they are banned from SMS again this year, and you might start to see stories similar to the views I have posted on here. I am sure you all can't wait for that. :-)

 

And as for the Echo being anti-Cortese, they are not, that's just what you decide to look at them as.

[hasper57saint]

If I wanted to keep my job I'm pretty certain that I wouldn't disparage my Boss.

P.S Nicola Cortese is doing a fantastic job! (I'm not creeping. I already have an ST so there!)

Any chance of a Box Sir?

[stevegrant]

For the echo bad news sells.

That's not quite true when you look at more local media stories, particularly sport-related ones. Certainly in the nationals, scandal sells many more copies, but at a local level, success sells more. I would imagine the editions featuring the Liebherr takeover and the Wembley win were the Echo's biggest-selling editions in the last year or so, by some distance.

[shirleysfc]

They are a newspaper.

 

Seriously, how many newspapers around the land DON'T print speculation?

 

I remember people slating the Echo for printing a story about Dickson almost a month before he signed... them same people didn't put their hands up when it turned out to be true.

 

I reckon The Echo will take the gloves off if they are banned from SMS again this year, and you might start to see stories similar to the views I have posted on here. I am sure you all can't wait for that. :-)

 

And as for the Echo being anti-Cortese, they are not, that's just what you decide to look at them as.

 

I don't have a problem about speculation.

 

After their initial ban the echo were anti NC.

 

I thought the ban had now been lifted?

[shirleysfc]

That's not quite true when you look at more local media stories, particularly sport-related ones. Certainly in the nationals, scandal sells many more copies, but at a local level, success sells more. I would imagine the editions featuring the Liebherr takeover and the Wembley win were the Echo's biggest-selling editions in the last year or so, by some distance.

 

I'm not saying good news doesn't sell. It's prob fairer to say extremes either way sell more, but that's just the nature of newspapers.

 

My original point was that if the echo is starved of good news stories (a trip to Wembley aside) they will be more inclined to print negative exclusives.

[Dave Benson Phillips]

I don't have a problem about speculation.

 

After their initial ban the echo were anti NC.

 

I thought the ban had now been lifted?

 

Are they? Really?

 

Can you give me some examples of negative press and anti-NC... I have just been looking through their archives and can't find much, and if you could find one slightly negative story, I could find a dozen positive ones.

[stevegrant]

I'm not saying good news doesn't sell. It's prob fairer to say extremes either way sell more, but that's just the nature of newspapers.

Yep, if they're too much in the middle-ground all the time then I would assume nobody would buy the paper as it would be a bit boring.

 

My original point was that if the echo is starved of good news stories (a trip to Wembley aside) they will be more inclined to print negative exclusives.

I don't think they've been particularly starved of good stories in the last year, the fallout from the takeover and Wembley events alone probably filled a month's worth of copy between them. They've also had plenty of ammunition to print a hell of a lot more negative stories than they have done - obviously there was the Pardew situation at the end of the season which ran for a while, but aside from the Echo ban, that's the only negative story they've run with as far as I can remember.

[shirleysfc]

Are they? Really?

 

Can you give me some examples of negative press and anti-NC... I have just been looking through their archives and can't find much, and if you could find one slightly negative story, I could find a dozen positive ones.

 

Read my post again. I said after the initial ban they were negative NOT they continue to be!

[Dave Benson Phillips]

Read my post again. I said after the initial ban they were negative NOT they continue to be!

 

Exactly.

 

So what's actually happening is that, regardless of Cortese's childish little tantrum with them, they continue to be balanced and even take the time to provide positive stories with regards to the club, an example is the way they bigged up season ticket sales.

 

I know out of Cortese and The Echo, which one comes out with their head high and credability in place... it's not Cortese, who acts nothing more than a spoilt child in pretty much everything he does.

 

Revoking peoples season tickets just because they question him.

Banning The Echo just because they publish a story already in the public domain.

Refusing to answer questions on a number of subjects.

Refusing to pay in advance for training ground improvements.

 

There are lots more reasons why Cortese acts like a whinging little girl.

[alpine_saint]

Apart from not signing players early?

 

Dont consider that to be his fault, to be honest

[david in sweden]

I really don't place as much significance on this as many seem to do.

In my time, I have worked for a number of highly-motivated, and visionary bosses, and it was fun.

plus ..wouldn't anyone who'd been employed... praise such a boss.... who was smart enough to give him a job...?

 

My guess is that the staff are all 100% -ers and it's all go behind the scenes.

[Dave Benson Phillips]

I really don't place as much significance on this as many seem to do.

 

Many people that live in other countries or don't rely on Saints much more than the odd game or watching them on the box do. No offence, like.

[The Cat]

That's not quite true when you look at more local media stories, particularly sport-related ones. Certainly in the nationals, scandal sells many more copies, but at a local level, success sells more. I would imagine the editions featuring the Liebherr takeover and the Wembley win were the Echo's biggest-selling editions in the last year or so, by some distance.

 

True. When Saints win, the shop I work in always sells out of the Echo on a Monday. When Saints lose that's rarely the case.

[John Smith]

So, when is Rickie signing for Newcastle?

[modern matron]

It''s weird but Cortese is turning out to be another Rupert - but worse - one with money and a licence to do as he wants and treat people as he pleases. Scary!

[sadoldgit]

It''s weird but Cortese is turning out to be another Rupert - but worse - one with money and a licence to do as he wants and treat people as he pleases. Scary!

 

I think you are probably right, but if he succeeds, no one will worry.

[Saint Bones]

Isn't Cortese doing a good job though ? Seems to me he has done well.

 

I daresay after the circus and staff changes over the last few years stability is a breath of fresh air for the club staff.

 

 

Besides... Slag off your boss at your own peril

[dronskisaint]

I think Cortese is running a very good business & making it possible for the footballing management & staff to do their part due to that.

 

Nobody runs a business to win friends, you're never going to please everybody & I have every sympathy with his stance over the Echo - it wasn't him who broke the agreement..they did it for their own business reasons. Again, no issue with that but they found they were dealing with a man who meant what he said & suffered the consequences. I like the way that nobody knows our transfer business until it's happened - it's professional, unlikely to be hijacked & refreshing.

 

To take issue with that you need your bumps felt ...or a crash course in running a succesful business.

[CB Fry]

Have they not noticed on Saints player there are interviews with 13 different back-room members of staff?

 

They ALL namecheck Cortese and how say great a job he has done and it all comes over as being led into it by the questioning and that they HAVE to mention him. The HR Officer is clearly glancing at a script throughout and it is not a natural interview.

 

Those interviewed include...

 

HR Officer

Senior Ticket Officer

External Communications advisor

Sales marketing executive

Sous chef

Under 21 coach

Strength and conditioning coach

Sales manager

Club secretary

Academy manager

Halo sales manager

First team physio

Groundsman

 

The External Communications advisor David Bick, admits it his his role to get over to Saints fans the changes at the club in the media. It seems this involves saying how great Cortese is.

 

I do think Cortese is doing a good job, but these interviews are basically "pro Cortese" propaganda more than anything else!

 

 

What kind of nut job sits through that drivel?

 

I know you live in your little computer game world, but here on planet earth the rest of us are far better served by journalists with a little knowledge, insight and perspective reporting on our club and team.

 

I don't want to spend my life being spoon fed inanity on the glorified corporate brochure that is the official site.

[benjii]

What kind of nut job sits through that drivel?

 

I know you live in your little computer game world, but here on planet earth the rest of us are far better served by journalists with a little knowledge, insight and perspective reporting on our club and team.

 

I don't want to spend my life being spoon fed inanity on the glorified corporate brochure that is the official site.

 

Yeah, but "The Twelve Days of Christmas" video was a stroke of genius.

[The Majestic Channon]

What kind of nut job sits through that drivel?

 

I know you live in your little computer game world, but here on planet earth the rest of us are far better served by journalists with a little knowledge, insight and perspective reporting on our club and team.

 

I don't want to spend my life being spoon fed inanity on the glorified corporate brochure that is the official site.

 

Well said CB..The bloke comes accross as a tedius geek tbf.

[forever a red and white]

its also funny that saints player has advertised exclusive behind the scenes for the club 125, when in fact each employee states their job description and the obvious change over the last 12 months. Don't blame the employees, the idea was a good one but poorly executed.

 

In terms of Cortese it is a little worrying and perhaps familiar. The guy is still learning his way into football. Lets give it a little more time and the benefit of the doubt. Apart from the ST fiasco he seems to be doing a very good job.

[westofshannonsaint]

I know out of Cortese and The Echo, which one comes out with their head high and credability in place... it's not Cortese, who acts nothing more than a spoilt child in pretty much everything he does.

 

Why should Cortese pander to the Echo? He asked them to hold back on a positive storey (if it was a negative storey it would be a different argument) and the Echo put up the 2 finger, then they exasperated the issue by asking Saints legends leading questions/headlining their responses to the Pardew situation on a daily basis. and that was a situation totally created by the media imho.

 

IIRC NC said "I expected better results" at a time when most people agreed, after which results improved and we won a trophy. every man and his dog, weather they lived in an SO postcode or not thought it would be madness to sack AP. yet the media decided to build it up to a management crisis.

 

Is Cortese really having a problem with the media, or is it the media that is the problem?

 

.....if he succeeds, no one will worry.

 

I think we all want him to succeed, I'm sorry R*ppert didn't.

[Dave Benson Phillips]

Why should Cortese pander to the Echo? He asked them to hold back on a positive storey (if it was a negative storey it would be a different argument) and the Echo put up the 2 finger, then they exasperated the issue by asking Saints legends leading questions/headlining their responses to the Pardew situation on a daily basis. and that was a situation totally created by the media imho.

 

IIRC NC said "I expected better results" at a time when most people agreed, after which results improved and we won a trophy. every man and his dog, weather they lived in an SO postcode or not thought it would be madness to sack AP. yet the media decided to build it up to a management crisis.

 

Is Cortese really having a problem with the media, or is it the media that is the problem?

 

 

 

I think we all want him to succeed, I'm sorry R*ppert didn't.

 

You can't censor a newspaper, especially your local rag. They printed a story which was already in the public domain and were not the first to break the story... seriously was no big deal. Cortese thinks he can manipulate just about anyone who crosses him.

 

As for the Pardew situation, it's my opinion that sitting back and watching the fallout was intentional. I had heard at the time that Cortese wanted to sack Pardew. I think he intentionally leaked the story ( which his pals at Radio Solent broke, NOT the Echo ) to gauge whether he could get away from it. As you rightly say, every man and his dog came out against the idea, so sacking Pardew was one step to far, even for someone of Cortese's arrogance.

 

The Echo might not be able to sway the thoughts and confidence in SFC of the sort of people that come on here, but that CAN influence many others who read their paper with negative stories.

 

Expect the gloves to come off if they are banned again this season.

[NickG]

I know this is a common view, but the thing the does for me is NC would have seen how popular AP was all season, cheered at St Marys and JPT final.

 

The echo can't hold their head up high for two articles, one talking about Lowe and one when they mocked the link to Italy saying no-one had heard of him then had to retract. They were petty two.

 

Editor, NI, NC - seems battles of big egos.

[moonraker]

You can't censor a newspaper, especially your local rag. They printed a story which was already in the public domain and were not the first to break the story... seriously was no big deal. Cortese thinks he can manipulate just about anyone who crosses him.

 

As for the Pardew situation, it's my opinion that sitting back and watching the fallout was intentional. I had heard at the time that Cortese wanted to sack Pardew. I think he intentionally leaked the story ( which his pals at Radio Solent broke, NOT the Echo ) to gauge whether he could get away from it. As you rightly say, every man and his dog came out against the idea, so sacking Pardew was one step to far, even for someone of Cortese's arrogance.

 

The Echo might not be able to sway the thoughts and confidence in SFC of the sort of people that come on here, but that CAN influence many others who read their paper with negative stories.

 

Expect the gloves to come off if they are banned again this season.

 

I am not in the know and living 80 miles away from Southampton have no direct contact with any one in the know, so I don’t hear things relating to the club and if I did I would weigh them up very carefully unless they came from someone who had direct executive authority within the club. As one involved in the marketing, promotion and selling of a successful business I sympathise with businesses that have frustrations with the press, especially the local press who in my opinion have a different responsibility to local businesses and organisation than the rag bag national media. At best newspaper articles have an element of truth at worst they are distorted and inflammatory and should always be read with a healthy degree of scepticism.

Any one who has been the subject of a newspaper article for which they have been interviewed knows only to well how distorting and unrecognisable the final article can be, that’s why any well run professional business spend good money and time managing its Public Relations.

In the matter of the OS this is rightly part of the clubs marketing toolset and no business would use the media within its control to impact on its business objectives by publishing negative material. One thing it certainly is not is propaganda, a word which relates to politics i.e.” The systematic propagation of a doctrine or cause or of information reflecting the views and interests of those advocating such a doctrine or cause” your use of the word well illustrates how easy it is to use inappropriate words to elicit a negative or reactionary.

I am in the “If NC delivers success on the pitch without breaking the law” camp. If he does this he will have my support as it is the only worthwhile objective of any professional football club.

[The9]

Surely the secret here is not bothering to subscribe to the Player in the first place, thus not having to be bothered to watch any of the propaganda that goes on it ?

 

I've managed quite well so far without ever watching any Saints content from the website (other than a kit launch video which wasn't subscription).

[Barry the Badger]

If Lowe had come out with something similar he'd have been slated for it.

 

Only when we were doing badly IMO. If we are doing well I couldn't care less about stuff like this, if we are doing badly it will start to **** me off.