09-13-10 Journal - Intro to PR

What organization was using public relations?
THE WHITE HOUSE; Office of the First Lady

Where did you see the event/story?
Drudgereport.com

Briefly describe the situation.
Michelle Obama spoke at the National Restaurant Association meeting in Washington, DC Sept. 13 She spoke about how important restaurants are to our culture and how much all Americans eat out. She emphasized her “Let’s Move” platform to help childhood obesity and how she wants the help of the restaurants to start offering more healthy options.

What was the organization trying to accomplish?
Michelle is trying to help protect children from childhood obesity. She is trying to do this from various angles including informing parents and children, and by talking to restaurant owners. The Office of the First Lady also wants Americans to know that the First Lady is actively fulfilling her campaign. The more the general public feels like she is doing something positive, the more they will like her and possibly even like the President more.

What was their main message?
Michelle Obama is urging restaurant owners to make their menus less fattening by taking out lipids, and by giving more healthy options like carrots and apples instead of fries.

Who was their target audience?
Restaurant owners; Parents; Children; American public; voters

What media/activity were they doing?
Press release; public speaking; campaigning

Do you think they were successful? Why or why not?
Yes. Forty percent of the restaurants in America were represented at the Nation Restaurant Association and Mrs. Obama had enough time to plead her case, Americans are eating out far more than they used to and therefore they need healthy options when they go out to eat. They heard her loud and clear and I think they will choose to add healthy options. They might do it because they genuinely want to help eliminate obesity in the rising generation or because it is popular, but either way I feel they will make a change.
I felt like Michelle’s image was boosted by disseminating this information. It made the public feel like she wants to make a difference in America.

Here is a link to the press release sent out by the White House
http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2010/09/michelle_obama_pushing_restaur.html