X-Message-Number: 23729 Date: 24 Mar 2004 03:01:39 -0000 From: Subject: Re: Alcor/FDGD Kennita wrote: > I've gone through all the Cryonets since the topic came up (3/13/04). > The opinions re me (not necessarily Alcor officially) going to FDGD > seem to shake out like this: > 6 AGAINST: Fred Moulton (Other names deleted) I want to be clear that I have no problem with Kennita going a private person, what I am concerned about is the use of the Alcor name or logo or any other thing which would connect her activities at FDGD and Alcor. The reason I bring this up is television and print images. TV archives collect images and once an image is in their archives you have very little control over its use. TV stations and networks which are affilated can share archive footage and what is important to remember that often images are used with the original sound. Still photos in newspapers and magazines have the same issue. Let me paint a picture: Another political issue arises. Some TV station wants a news story, time is short, they find they have some Alcor footage in archive. So as background for the evening news there is a picture of a booth with the Alcor logo next to the booth selling Tshirts with the picture of a man in a freezer. This will not do much for the public image of Alcor. Let me paint a second picture (Scene - two university reseachers over lunch): First Reseacher: So what new reseach plans do you have? Second Reseacher: Not sure yet. A couple of proposals on the table. Plus I just got something in the mail from a group called Alcor what wants to do some joint research on cryoprotectants. I haven't heard of them and have only had time to skim the mail. First Researcher (laughing): Alcor? Yeah, I saw them on TV on a show about a party in Colorado called Frozen Dude or something. Second Researcher (Mumbles something and gets busy with lunch) and is less likely to have a good opinion of Alcor. Kennita, I understand that you have asked a lot of people about it. First please be aware that the responses of these people are not what I am talking about. Instead consider the responses of people who see a TV show about some small town event that is kind of goofy and think that since they see the Alcor logo on a booth that Alcor is also kind of goofy. Alcor is not goofy, this is very serious. The key is to not have Alcor in a position to be laughed at - remember Dukakis in the tank helment. I can not emphasize how important a professional PR image is for Alcor. Alcor needs to be able present a serious image to professional and scientific organizations. The key is to have the correct image and impact on persons who shape opinions. Just because Alcor may have not had perfect PR in the past is no reason to make things worse in the future. And please note that the reason I use Alcor in these examples is because I am signed up with Alcor. I think my comments apply equally well to Alcor or any other Cryonics services provider. Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=23729