There is so much hyped information missing relevancy to everyday people in the news, even on the weekend, be it about the economy in general or any number of specific financial realities- bailouts, etc i couldn't stop from sharing a kindred, if not equally spirited diatribe like Jon Stewart offered up a few days ago. If you missed it, Jon gave it to CNBC in what must be the Emmy moment of the TV year for having booked Rick Santelli to appear on his show, "The Daily Show" and then CNBC cancelling. Mr. Santelli is the CNBC reporter from the NYSE trading floor who got huge coverage for throwing "homeowners/their elected representatives" under the bus for seeking bailouts. Jon just killed CNBC for their lack of value in their financial reporting, let alone failure in helping viewers recognize the economic tremers (given their stated expertise) or the on-air talent playing up to CEO's who desrved to be called out ...go to "thedailyshow.com" it's right there. It's classic and it's still warm from the oven!!
I bring this up because how ironic that it takes a fake news show to point out what's real or at least, what has been less than what they could or maybe should be. As a consumer brand, CNBC needs to define themselves by delivering on their own on-air promotional copy. They are at the epicenter of the financial crisis- not the cause obviously-but by association, tightly linked. Stewart pointed out many "product flaws" that if i was running the organization, i would take the "faker" seriously. But mostly what he pointed out was a real disconnect with the brand's authenticity. I have considered myself a committed CNBC viewer- i am always looking for financial grounding, given i can't add all that well and financial statements are a foreign language. But i am thinking now does it still make sense to watch it? Is there any of the real value i thought it had?
Leadership companies and brands express ideas through innovation, creativity and/or defining a better value proposition-be it performance, price, service, etc. I think CNBC needs an "intervention", to infuse some fresh intellectual capital into thinking through, at least, its messaging around the powerful brand they have managed to create. Good luck CNBC, given this is no time to bail-out on a friend, here is my "Idea Vault" for you to use in possibly thinking through some new ideas. I think CNBC would agree it's going to be creativity and new ideas that turn things around for many companies and many people.
If you have any problem opening the vault , just call or email- cause we need your A game now more than ever. All the best, Cliff
