“Bully” and the MPAA Public Relations Dilemma

Guest post by: Anthony Mora
Become an Author

Free PDF Download
SEO Press Release Tips: Part 2 - By Anthony Mora

“Bully” opened in a limited release on Friday, leaving theaters to decide whether they should let underage teens in or not. Harvey Weinstein chose to release the film without a rating after loudly and repeatedly objecting to a controversial decision by the Motion Picture Association of America to give the film an R, which means anyone 17 and under needs an adult with them to get in.

Weinstein has brought his objections along with his army of celebrity supporters to magazines and talkshows, but the MPAA refused to budge and the R rating has stuck, which the Weinstein Co. argued would bar its target audience: teens.

“Bully” is said to have received the R rating because in one scene a bully uses profanity. If sticking to the letter of the law is its sole purpose, the MPAA is doing its job, but at what cost? The kids who could most benefit from this film are being locked out. And why, because of language they hear every day on the playground by those very bullies being documented. The Hunger Games, a film about kids sent to hunt and eat other kids, ended up with a PG rating. Go figure.

To quote a recent article by AO Scott in the New York Times: “There is little swearing in the movie, and a lot of upsetting stuff, but while some of it may shock parents, very little of it is likely to surprise their school-age children.” Whose sensitivity does the association suppose it is protecting? The answer is nobody’s. That organization, like the panicked educators in the film itself, holds fast to its rigid, myopic policies to preserve its own authority. The members of the ratings board perform a useful function, but this is not the first time they’ve politicianed us.”

By sticking to this decision, the MPAA is doing irreparable PR damage to its own brand. It is presenting itself as a dated, archaic system. “Bully” on the other hand is generating more buzz and PRthan it ever could have without this controversy. Harvey is doing his PR magic. He and the legion of star power champions of the film are garnering more exposure for the film than any marketing or ad campaign could buy.

Regardless of the rating and the controversy, “Bully” is an important film and one that should be watched by kids and parents. The problem is how to get the kids to see it.

Copyright © Anthony Mora 2012

“Bully” and the MPAA PR Dilemma

How to handle workplace bullying.

Advertising and Public Relations

Is Your PR Firm Right For You?

A PR CONCEPT BORN OUT OF THE RECESSION!

3 Ways To Get Your Inner Critic Off Your Biz's Board of Directors

PR News You Can Use

What To Do When Public Relations Fails

Why Public Relations for Non-Profits?

Why use PR

Leadership Stereotypes: Playing the Victim

Tyrant or Bully?

Is Your Inner Critic on Your Biz's Board of Directors? 3 Ways to Tell

“The Top Ten Public Relations Errors That Are Hazardous To The Health Of Your Media Relations”

Marketing vs. Public Relations

What is Public Relations

IS THERE A RIGHT TIME FOR PR?

Business to Business PR

Public Relations Is Not Just For PR Pros

So what is PR anyway

Home > Public-Relations > Anthony Mora > Bully and the MPAA Public Relations Dilemma > Google +

Free PDF Download
SEO Press Release Tips: Part 2 - By Anthony Mora

About the Author: Anthony Mora

RSS for Anthony's articles - Visit Anthony's website
Anthony Mora Communications, Inc. is a Los Angeles-based public relations firm that focuses in the areas of media relations, image development and media training. Anthony Mora Communications regularly places clients in major media outlets, including Time, Newsweek, Oprah, the New York Times, CNN, the Today Show, the Wall Street Journal and hundreds of other media outlets. Through media placement, you are not presented within the context of an ad or commercial. You're not positioned as an ad but as the news. President and CEO, Anthony Mora, has been featured in: USA Today, Newsweek, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, The BBC, CNN, E! Entertainment Television, Entrepreneur, Fox News, MSNBC, and other media. He has written three books, the most the most recent, a how-to on PR called Spin to Win. For further information visit: http://www.topstorypublicrelations.com

Click here to visit Anthony's website.

More from Anthony Mora
How to Communicate with Traditional Media Effectively
The Myth of the Press Kit
If You Dont Run This Story Im Taking It To Your Competition
Creating The Perfect Holiday PR Pitch Tapping Into The Billion $ Spending Season
Hiring a PR Consultant

Share this article. Fund someone's dream.

Share this post and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

“Bully” and the MPAA Public Relations Dilemma

Related Articles

Related Forum Posts

Share this article. Fund someone's dream.


Name:
Email: