Pretty cool! Scott Neeson, former President of 20th Century Fox International and founder and now Executive Director of the Cambodian Childrens Fund, read my blog about Somaly Mam and left an in-depth comment. He took me to task and corrected me on some things but also praised the article as the most balanced hes seen anywhere. Here are his remarks: Norm, I accept your point under Marketing is about telling stories. However a few points that need clarification. The story may be marketable but it is also true; there is no fabrication or exaggeration. I know you didnt infer that it was false but when the great story, huh is used in the same context of Greg Mortensen and now Somaly Mams situation, that needs to be said. Also, there is no Rolodex of Hollywood-insider names. A few continued their support, including Roland Emmerich and Sumner Redstone, but the majority of funding is unrelated to Hollywood. Most of all, there is no slick PR campaign. There is no PR campaign, no publicist, and never has been. I have lived in Phnom Penh for 10 years and my days are at Steung Meanchey, not on the phone to GQ or Tom Hanks peddling the story. Have a closer look at the print media: its re-prints of old stories, without my participation. For example, the most recent hype was a Reddit piece that went viral - that was based on a 2009 story, which was from a 2007 interview. I had no idea until our server crashed, with 600,000 hits - and under $1,000 in donations. Media doesnt equate to donations and there is no controlling the timing, context or content of media. TV stories are opportunistic and I pass on those that centre on Hollywood. To your initial point, a US media icon once explained clearly to me that there are 2 million charities in the world - no-one really cares to here about their work, or yours. You are the story. It may sound like a free ticket to prosperity but after 10 of the hardest years of my life, I would give a limb for peoples attention be drawn to CCFs results, our programs, what is being achieved here, the remarkable staff at CCF team, the model of family and community etc. The statement that I have a PR campaign to perpetuate the Hollywood-to-here story, and a Rolodex of Hollywood names to call upon ... it rings of easy money and style-over-sustance but its simply untrue. All that said, your story is about as balanced as any I have read. The heated comments are more to do with the disillusionment of another fallen hero. If you put yourself up as a hero, then you had better walk the talk. Whether it is saving children or winning the Tour De France, you had better be sure the pedestal is rock solid. Best Scott Neeson *** You can read the blog here: normschriever/blog/in-defense-of-somaly-mam?
Posted on: Sat, 07 Jun 2014 03:46:57 +0000
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