Criminal or Role Model?
Martha's op/ed strategy makes for great editorial before the verdict comes in. The tricky part about op/eds is that both sides of a discussion will write them.
Here we see someone disagreeing with a pro-Martha op/ed. Needless to say, there will not be a link to this from Martha Talks.The public relations industry gives Martha Talks mixed reviews. Some herald it as a miracle while others note it is one of many Web sites that represent well. I agree, Martha has not created the Internet or blazed any new trails with this site. But Martha Stewart has elevated the
Web page as spokesperson approach with this site. She reinforces her innocence on this site by offering timely updates from her legal team and pointing visitors to other "voices" speaking on Martha's behalf. The beauty of this strategy is it allows Martha to stay silent during the trial--something she should do--while also getting credible people to "endorse" her innocence.What should we expect after the trial? It depends on the verdict of course. If she is found not guilty, you will see a full-frontal assault as Martha-palooza kicks into the highest of gears.If she is found guilty, she should be consistent and maintain her innocence. She has spent the past two years maintaining her innocence. To suddenly agree with the prosecution and "confess" after all of this time would be a disaster. She will be far-removed from MSLO if this happens, but she will still have a career to consider...assuming she does not get any jail time. If Martha Stewart is found guilty, it will not be the end of her career. It will merely force her to regroup.
