Abrams Research: Dan Abrams Launches Media Strategy Firm

The Wall Street Journal reports Wednesday that Dan Abrams, former MSNBC general manager and host of the 9PM hour, has launched a media strategy firm, Abrams Research. The firm will "offer corporate clients access to advice" from what the article describes as "media insiders." From the WSJ:

Want good press? Hire a journalist. That's Dan Abrams's pitch.

The former general manager of MSNBC is launching a media-strategy firm, Abrams Research, to help business executives navigate public-relations challenges -- from major acquisitions to bothersome bloggers to outright scandals.

The firm's chief selling point will be a network of media insiders whose advice is available in exchange for an hourly fee. Mr. Abrams has assembled a roster of "thousands" of such professionals, he says, with the aid of former Huffington Post media writer Rachel Sklar. The firm has already signed its first client: billionaire investor Ronald Perelman.

The Journal says that Abrams "plans to continue working as an outside legal analyst for NBC News."

The New York Times describes Abrams Research as "a consulting firm that...will connect a global Rolodex of media experts with businesses that need strategic advice." The Times also reports that Abrams will closely police potential conflicts of interest as journalists bridge the press/consultant divide:

Working on media strategies with businesses could raise ethical red flags for journalists who were required to be detached and objective about the subjects they covered. Mr. Abrams said the company would "bend over backwards to make sure that there are no conflicts or ethical issues that arise."

He said he planned to broaden the network of experts beyond traditional journalists, employing media analysts, bloggers and others who might not operate under such stringent rules. He said he was especially interested in connecting bloggers with businesses that had trouble dealing with online media.

The firm's website, AbramsResearch.com, describes the company accordingly:

Abrams Research is a media strategy firm that connects business leaders with a global community of media professionals. Our proprietary data networks and global contacts allow us to target strategically selected media insiders to offer insights, data and personnel never before available to businesses for image enhancement, branding, investigative reporting and the execution of the best media plan.

The firm's board of advisers includes media heavyweights from various areas of the media: Former NBC Universal Chairman Bob Wright, Fox Entertainment President Kevin Reilly, HBO's Bryant Gumbel, Court TV founder Steven Brill, Former American Media Editorial Director Bonnie Fuller, Men's and Women's Health editor David Zinczenko, Curbed Network Founder Lockhart Steele, Former New York Times Sunday Business editor Judith Dobrzynski, and NBC Travel editor Peter Greenberg.

Story continues below

Full press release below:

Abrams Research Launches

Board of Advisors includes top names in media.

Dan Abrams announces the launch of Abrams Research, a unique global strategy firm that connects business leaders with top media professionals around the world. Businesses can now communicate directly with experienced media insiders, bloggers, and authors in almost any region or area of expertise. This unprecedented access to a wide range of experts can help companies make smarter decisions about marketing and communication. In addition, Abrams Research offers valuable perspective on local media, specific journalists, government officials or even crucial details about local customs.

"With this global network we will offer businesses more targeted, relevant and cost-effective media advice than has ever before been available," said Dan Abrams, the firm's CEO and founder.

The Abrams Research Board of Advisors includes top leaders from almost every area of media: Former NBC Universal Chairman Bob Wright, Fox Entertainment President Kevin Reilly, HBO's Bryant Gumbel, Court TV founder Steven Brill, Former American Media Editorial Director Bonnie Fuller, Men's and Women's Health editor David Zinczenko, Curbed Network Founder Lockhart Steele, Former New York Times Sunday Business editor Judith Dobrzynski, and NBC Travel editor Peter Greenberg.

Abrams is the former General Manager of MSNBC and a Columbia University-trained attorney, who has appeared on NBC News and MSNBC as a reporter and anchor since 1995. He now continues with NBC News and MSNBC as a contributor in the role of Chief Legal Analyst. While Abrams himself offers businesses a trusted media advisor and attorney uniquely positioned to unite legal and corporate communications strategies, that same level of specialized expertise is now available on a far broader scale through the Abrams Research Network. "By offering businesses insight into how the relevant media will best respond to any strategy, campaign, product, initiative or crisis, I believe the often contentious relationship between business and media will improve," said Abrams.

Abrams Research has also established strategic partnerships with major PR and media strategy firms including Dan Klores Communications and The Abernathy Macgregor Group.

Comments

[Clarabell]

Why is it that when I get the "...pending approval .." notification in my posts, they don't ever seem to make it in?

[Clarabell]

It seems to me the media already had a strategy, and it finally caught up with them. There was a very different tone at the end of this election in the media, and I think it probably had a lot to do with the "crash." Guess they are afraid we will lop off our cable TV first, when it gets to choosing what we can really afford.

[Evinsmom]

Isn't that what public relations firms are for? This just smells shady...Then again, this really happens all the time but now it's just so blatant. I just hope some of the journalists will have some integrity and not sell out for a buck.

[longislandlol]

I like Dan and wish him well-- he has a bright future-- if Andrew Cuomo goes to Senate from NY- why not Dan as Attorney General?

[deeppeace]

Ew! Ew, ew, ew! More like truTV.

[Rosiestar]

Anyone that wishes Dan Abrams luck doesn't seem to understand what this is about. He's working for Big Corporations (you know, the ones that screw us over and over again and want hefty bailouts). I used to like him because I thought he was for the American People. Apparently, he's for the American Person (himself)

Yep, that's all we need... another smart mind advising big corps on how to spin their stories so we, the people, can keep getting screwed. I'm very disappointed in Dan.

[mommadona]

I know.

That was my first thought and impression....what in the hell do these "rich bags of mostly money" need a sympathetic shoulder of the 4th column to cry on?

Don't they hire public relations people?

[Myshkin57]

I agree. This is a dangerous and ethically dubious venture he's getting into.

[rabiddog6708]

I like Dan Abrams, but this sounds like more Spin Control and Media Manipulation. Too much of this already. We shouldn't have journalists helping politicans and business control the message. Faux News does this already. Enough propaganda already.

[Progress08]

I miss Dan Abrams, but MSNBC made the right decision (as evidenced by Rachel's ratings). I love David Schuster, but I almost with Abrams had his job.

[zamerdee]

I loved Dan Abrams' show. I watched mostly cause I think he is HOT! Plus I watched cause his show was good. I was so bummed out when his show was cancelled. BRING DAN ABRAMS BACK!

[SouthPrairie]

I know, I know. Why couldn't they have gotten rid of Gregory!

[hillaryj]

Joe should have been the one to go instead of Dan!

[Georgia1992]

You're correct. Like corporate-America, rid of the great ones and allow the INCOMPETENTS to drive the organization into the abyss.

[DASChicago]

Wow! You are so spot on.

Hey, Dan Abrams was the only one who was on Karl Rove's trail regarding his "above the law" thinking after being issued a summons to testify in the Libby leak scandal.

Dan if you're reading this, I hope you have not given this up and can continue to follow up on this ROVIAN RAT to evoke the real truths about his involvement so that we can begin to see justice serviced.

Because, if this happens, there will be an internal infernal within this Bush Administration and his Co. of crooks.
There are reports that Gonzalez and Cheney were indicted in Texas recently re: Gitmo torturing.

GO Get'em Dan!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Myshkin57]

This looks like media manipulation waiting to happen. We need a constant list of their customers and the journalists on the payroll because I'm certain there's going to be good or bad news for companies based on who's on the list of customers. Back in the day, record companies used to pay radio stations to play specific songs (and I think this has even happened fairly recently), it's called 'payola'. Abrams' venture here will result in journalistic payola.

[tenilla]

Abrams was very likeable. MSNBC should have canned Joe Scarborough and that dreadful
Mika and given Dan and Mike Barnicle the 3-hour morning show.

[SlappHappy]

Absolutely. Dan would have been great in the mornings -- not so hard on the nerves as the bellicose, bullying Scarborough yelling at everyone and everything. MSNBC's next move has really got to be replacing Scarborough, because it just ain't working nad is getting worse every day.

[Figerre]

Hey! I liked the Abrams show and think this is actually a very good idea. Especially as newspapers start shredding their news teams. I AM addicted to the Rachel Maddow Show at the same time slot - but I still like Abrams. He had interesting commentary.

[prTini]

Doesn't this raise ethical questions about journalists? Blurring the lines between PR people and the media presents serious conflicts of interest. I work for a PR firm and this sparked a very interesting discussion in our office today. Journalists are supposed to present the news to their audience. If they are beholden to paying clients, doesn't that comprimise their journalistic integrity? More at www.costadevault.com/blog. What do other people think about this issue?

[mirza]

Propaganda for big business!

[SouthernYankeeBelle]

Wish him the best. I sure miss seeing him on his own program.