Yesterday Wayne Rooney was presented with an open goal. Rather than just tap it in, he decided to juggle the ball all the way back to the half-way line. From where he tried to swerve-chip it 50 yards.
Of course he didn’t. But the flak trade does seem to try something similar quite often.
A few times this year — I’ve asked around to check it wasn’t just me — I’ve shown an interest in an idea that came up in discussion with a PR firm.
I’d say I could get a column from it, if they could help me with a bit more data, help me form a narrative.
Later, the flak (or the client) decides this material is now such gold it will be distributed everywhere, rather than just to me.
The net effect: no one writes about it. It dies, along with the work and the working relationship.
Plainly, 5-0 is a better result than 1-0. But 1-0 is still a win. You need a very good reason to place it in jeopardy.
