China's PR Fiascos: Blocking iTunes Just the Latest in Ongoing Olympics PR Disaster

How can China and the International Olympic Committee be so, well... lame?

With both Burston Marsteller and Hill & Knowlton on retainer for the Beijing Olympic games you'd think China would have all its Peking ducks in a row. But they are flailing and a great example of how NOT to do Public Relations.

BM and H&K are supposed to be helping the Chinese government to use all the dirtiest tricks in the book to spin its illegal and brutal occupation of Tibet and lie about its history while under the bright Olympic spotlight. Instead China seems to be spinning more and more into the depths of public relations slime, caught in one misdeed after another, from beating up on journalists to shutting down the official olympic daily press briefings amidst harsh questioning on their broken promises to improve their human rights record to being exposed for their fakery at the opening ceremonies, to planning a propaganda opera for the closing ceremonies.

But the latest wrong move will be harder to cover up, that of course being China's decision late Tuesday to block iTunes in China. News of the blockage surfaced first in a discussion on Apple's site, and later in a blog by F.X. Leach on Students for a Free Tibet's website but as yet there is no official comment on why Itunes got the cyber-shaft by the Great Firewall of China.

But a hint maybe? A few hours before the blockage, news surfaced Tuesday about Songs for Tibet, a compilation CD put out by the Art of Peace Foundation. The group and iTunes offered free downloads for Olympic athletes and apparently 40 Olympiads took them up on the offer, and coverage of this likely prompted the block.

But anyone who knows anything about pop culture and PR knows that -- across varying ages and demographics -- the fastest way to someone's heart these days is through their iPod. The blockage creates the soundtrack of a loud global chant "This is what repression looks like". But worse it brings the reality of China's crack downs on basic freedoms into focus for many, especially US audiences. My friend's 11 year old son understands tonight why Tibet matters, and what it means to have your freedom of expression taken away. "You mean people in China aren't allowed to use their iPods Daddy," he says, long after bedtime. "Well they can, but they can't download any new songs now." "Oh Daddy that is just awful."

China, you blew it! Restrictions of fundamental freedoms and inherent human rights for Tibetans (freedom of religion, of speech, of expression, the right to determine ones own political future) are concepts that may feel far away from the day to day of the average American, but when they mess with somebody's iPods? Well THAT makes things more clear.

It is astonishing to me how they could continue to botch this one up so badly so I've posted here some hot tips on how NOT to do PR, suggestions humbly offered to the mucky mucks at BM and H&K, to the IOC and the Chinese government from a simple, gritty grassroots PR hack:

Don't offer to have protest zones only to deny all 77 applications and definitely don't let Human Rights Watch catch you as you punish or even disappear controversial Chinese activists when they apply for permits

Don't let nationals from other countries frolic about, painting up their faces with their flags only to squash the briefest displays of the Tibetan National Flag. The fact that displaying the flag and singing the Tibetan National Anthem are a crime in China only draws attention to your dirty little occupier's secret. Better to keep it on the DL (down low that is, not Dalai Lama!)

When overspending on your opening ceremonies don't get caught in the act of faking your: fireworks, child singing sensations and 'ethnic children' parade. Rule #1 - don't get caught.

Don't rough up journalists covering Pro-Tibet rallies. It only emboldens them to further cover your brutal and illegal occupation of that country!

Don't bridge to your schmaltzy message when repeatedly asked 4 times if the IOC is embarrassed by China's behavior.

And don't let the New York Times catch you in your crack down on citizen journalists using the democratic power of the Internet to tell the truth about the situation on the ground in China and Tibet. It's so unsavory in the eyes of the world.

You don't have to be a rocket scientist or an overpaid media strategist to understand this, and the world may not be watching... but they are listening to the latest iTunes downloads on their iPods, or, er, except today in China.

Follow Celia Alario on Twitter: www.twitter.com/celiaalario

Comments

[MagisterLudi]

OOO, BLOCKING ITUNES. Outrage. Talking about crisis of perspective. This is a clear sign that Beijing Olympics are highly successful: when China baiters have to resort to this kind of petty stuff.

[InofTouch]

if it take an ipod to make you made then (apple) corporations won.

[StevenMallory]

As a Ogalala Sioux descendant (Billy Mills!), the idea that the "People's" Government of China wishes to justify Tibet by equating it with the long, troubled story of the Native Americans merits only one reaction. Happily, its the exact response they most fear. Laughter.
Violence and saber-rattling may be met in kind, protests quelled, journalism censored, dissidents villanized. Accusations of wrong-doing are expected, as "chinationreport" clearly indicates. Facts can be obfuscated, logical fallacies employed to distract. But there is no defense against laughter. And the "People's" "Republic" have left us with plenty of material. China may well become the world's most powerful nation, but they cannot stop us laughing at them. They hate nothing more than losing face, and want nothing so much as to be taken seriously. They are culturally poorly equipped to contend with the west in the field of mockery. Europeans have made an art of mocking each other, and American humor specializes in the scathing insult. Perhaps the Chinese should study the old Friar's Club Roasts to see exactly what they'll be up against. And no fair trying to "disappear" Don Rickles to learn from him, you'd be entering a battle of wits unarmed.
In a country of 1.2 billion people, there's apparently not a single child who is both cute and able to carry a tune. Not surprisingly, this has not dissuaded Simon Cowell from pitching his concept for "Chinese Idol."
http://politicalhumor.about.com/od/latenighttv/a/olympic-jokes.htm

[chinationreport]

You must think you are really funny!! You are. I am laughing at you for your lack of basic knowledge about China and at your trying to fake to be a China expert. Since when China lost 100million people to have only 1.2 billion? Of course, you may not think it is a lot, for one thing, there are still plenty. Secondly, math might not matter to you that much.

Sure, I am culturally poorly equipped, that's why I have to use my third language to debate with you. Sure, China can not find a single child who is both cute and able to sing; America can not find a single woman who is pretty and have a real breast...

The long troubled story of Native Americans is history. You think? When are you going to have a native American run for American President? The world's biggest democracy, answer my question, when is their chance, it is their land, can you deny that?
How about taking a deep breath and read this. Give yourself a break.
http://www.chinationreport.com/ChinaBashingMarathon.html

[chinationreport]

I apologize if I misread the text. I was in a rush to leave the office - no good excuse - but I should have read it more carefully.
What troubles me most is not the criticism about China, it is the lack of balanced information and understanding... I have spent half of my life in the West and am still trying hard to figure out how things work here (election, media, corporations...). Although I can read and speak English, live in the US, have many American and European friends, I don't think I can claim to be an expert about America or Europe. I would NOT feel comfortable to write a well researched and educated article about say American political system, or Enron scandal or how big oils operate...
I am puzzled by the fact that ANYBODY here feels so competent to criticize, judge China as if he/she is a true China expert. China is going to become increasingly important on the world stage. This is reality. Animosity is not going to help the world solve problems. China has come a long way. It would be better for all of us to make an effort to understand first before we judge.
American Indians situation has been improved. It has taken America a long time. But it was their land to begin with!! Without their sacrifices, we would not be here blogging.
http://www.chinationreport.com/

[pico]

It's called free speech. Experts don't have a monopoly on expression.

[benalbanach]

Sure nice to have someone else to criticise eh! C'mon you know you wished for this! The last thing the US wanted was a successful Olympics in China.
Sure all those problems exist but there's no need to salivate. It's unseemly....China has a long way to go....The US seems to be going nowhere.

[Pantelleria01]

Don't think many, if any of you know what life is like on tribal reservations. While tribal Native Americans do enjoy greater freedom (since the 1970s) to practice and express their culture...they remain entrapped victims (mostly) of a government management system (health care, land, infrastructure, social services, law enforcement and public safety) that is appalling corrupt and indifferen­t....which is not the same as torture or repression that goes on in China, but the affect is a similar disaster, possibly worse even. China uses cheap tricks in their language. I like the one where they tell everyone the invasion of another country is an internal private Chinese matter. However that is, tribal communities (the 85 to 90 per cent that do not have a casino), endure brutal crime, poverty and neglect that is a real disgrace to the few people who actually know what is going on on tribal lands....and now a tool for Chinese propaganda­...strange moment.

[nicemonster]

I am beginning to find this whole line of argument comparing Tibetans to Native Americans very tiresome. It is a red herring. It is the favored response of the Chinese government and their compliant stooges whenever the topic of Tibet comes up from Americans. The problem is, the comparison is fatally flawed, in that the U.S. government has publicly apologized to Native Americans, and begun a very, very long process of reparations that will take generations to complete, given the complexity of the situation. But, the process has begun. Native Americans are free to wear traditional clothing and sing traditional songs. They are free to air their grievances in the public sphere without fear of reprisals and yes, they have autonomy on their lands in the U.S. While it is not a perfect solution, it is a start, which is more than the Chinese can say about Tibet. Oh yeah, I forgot, saying anything about Tibet in China will land you in jail. The comparison is utterly ridiculous on it's face. The Chinese are NOT doing anything comparable, they have NEVER apologized to the Tibetans for anything, they throw Tibetan activists in jail, beat journalists, silence the masses by forbidding the mention of Tibet or the display of its flag, and last but not least they won't even talk to the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people, much less allow images of the Dalai Lama into the public sphere. What on earth are they so afraid of?

[RunMeloRun]

China will do the samething after they kill off 90% Tibetans.

Under China's rule, # of Tibetans went from 1 mil to 6 mil
Under America's rule, Natives went to extinct.

Get off ur high horse.

[JHogg]

It seems as though chinationreport cannot compete in the global market either, as basic reading comprehension is needed.

The son in question is not Alario's, but a friends as stated in the peice. Nor does chinationreport actually comment on any of the points made.

It is hypocritical to call Alario to pay attention to the Native American's (which I am sure she does) while ignoring the obvious and current problems in China and Tibet. The fact that two women who applied for a permit are being jailed is obviously wrong. Maybe it is seeing the mistakes of how our Native Americans were treated that alerts Alario to the shameful tactics of repression she discusses here.

[LiberalBuzz]

And yet somehow, knowing all this, the IOC gave China the Olympics. Gotta wonder just what that cost China. Ten million per IOC member? 20 Million per IOC member? What WAS the cost IOC?

Oh well as long as people made money on it, I guess that is all that is important.....eh?

[chinationreport]

If I were you, instead of talking about Tibet freedom with your 11 year old son, I would ask him to work hard on math and study some Chinese so that he can grow up to compete in the global labor market.

As far as Tibet goes, millions of Tibetans in China still speak Tibetan languages and wear their traditional clothes (as you see on TV during the riots), they also sing Tibetan songs. If you are really so concerned about Tibetans, charity starts from your own backyard. Why don't you show your son where all the American Indians went? Whether they have their ipod and can download any song in their original language? Where they are now and whether they can claim independence from United States of America?

http://www.chinationreport.com/
Read: 'China and the West revisited' by ASSAF LICHTASH

[2012isnear]

As im not from America, it is not possible for you to address the Tibet situation by framing it as a "you do just as bad as us so shut up".

How about just accepting reality. China has been brutal towards the Tibetan people. It is not the most brutal occurrence in human history, but brutal and savage non the less. Perhaps to many made even more so because the Dalai Lama is so revered by so many around the world. Internationally, the treatment of the Tibetan people doesnt play well at all but domestically for the Chinese power-holders, it is a complete winner, and that is all that counts. If I hear a Chinese national admit as much, at least ill listen to what he has to say next.