George Lee and the daily reputational challenge

Author : Michael Keane | 21-05-2009

In the current climate of recession and severe challenges for us all, reputation is key.

Currently Fianna Fail are suffering a major reputational onslaught which is resulting in unprecedented hostility to canvassers on the doorsteps. The latest opinion poll in The Irish Times (www.irishtimes.com) has them at an all-time low and Fine Gael forging ahead.

Much of this has to do with the arrival of George Lee whose reputation has rubbed off on and benefited the largest opposition party.

George Lee himself has been the subject of a reputational makeover in the recent past. He was castigated by many in Irish business and politics as being a prophet of doom, one who was so negative that his pronouncements on RTE were actually doing damage to our economy.

Now that he has been proven right, George's reputation has been considerably enhanced, if not actually transformed.

Politics, of course, is notoriously volatile and, experienced as he is as an economic commentator, George faces many challenges to his reputation as a political operator in the weeks and months ahead.

In the public relations industry we are daily confronted with the challenge of protecting and enhancing clients' reputations so it is fascinating to watch the serious "game" being played out in the political struggles that are so engaging and so serious.

I will view with great interest how Fine Gael and George Lee handle the job of reputation management over the next few years. And, indeed, watch with equal interest how Fianna Fail try to recover theirs.