Public Relations Commentary

Increasingly, public relations pracititioners have to know not only how to write for the Web, but also how to manage and respond to blog postings. This blog was created to use in my public relations courses to help my students prepare to blog and learn how to respond to others in a virtual yet professional manner.

Monday, August 28, 2006

Comic Sues Jews for Jesus



This was too good to ignore:

CNN.com story

NEW YORK (AP) -- Saying he's "as Jewish as a matzo ball or kosher salami," Jackie Mason filed a lawsuit against Jews for Jesus for using his name and likeness in a pamphlet.

The $2 million lawsuit seeks the immediate destruction of the pamphlet, which members of the missionary group have been handing out at various points around New York City.

"While I have the utmost respect for people who practice the Christian faith, the fact is, as everyone knows, I am as Jewish as a matzo ball or kosher salami," the 75-year-old comedian said in documents filed in state Supreme Court in Manhattan.

Founded in the 1970s, Jews for Jesus practices Judaism but regards Jesus as the Messiah.

The pamphlets feature an image of Mason next to the words "Jackie Mason ... A Jew for Jesus!?" with information inside that outlines the similarities between Jews and Christians.

"The pamphlet uses my name, my likeness, my 'shtick' (if you will), and my very act, which is derived from my personality, to attract attention and converts," Mason said in an affidavit.

Susan Perlman, a spokeswoman for Jews for Jesus, said the pamphlet was "good-natured."

"Shame on him for getting so upset about this," she said Friday.

Mason has starred on Broadway and in films including "Caddyshack II."


O.K. - a $2 million lawsuit against this nice little religious organization? Has Jackie Mason lost his marbles again? What is funny to me is that this man has made a career out of being Jewish - making himself the "ultimate Jew" if you will. However, Jackie lost his sense of humor when he saw his scary caricature on front of a Jews for Jesus pamphlet.

I can understand why he would take offense as he obviously is not a "Jew for Jesus" - since he's "as Jewish as a matzo ball or kosher salami." But why not speak to the organization first, instead of mounting a huge lawsuit against this non-profit?

Of course, I have to play both sides on this. Shame on you, Susan Perlman, for not being a good spokeswoman for your organization and not showing ANY accountability in this communications disaster. Wouldn't it have been wise to ask for Mason's permission to use his likeness and connect him to Jews for Jesus? Of course he would have probably said absolutely not, but I'm sure Jews for Jesus could have found some D-list celebrity to be on their pamphlet - all publicity is good publicity right?

Here's a great comment from the actual Jews for Jesus website about the pamphlet debacle:

"Jews for Jesus should have known that using celebrity names and images in their materials would lead at some point to expensive litigation. Just because Howard Stern didn't sue doesn't mean Jackie Mason won't. Frankly, it was a stupid decision. And trying to weasel out of it by "shaming" Mr. Mason into not suing you is only making it worse. I seriously think you need some new PR people!"

LOL - right on.

posted by Anonymous @ 12:15 PM  

1 Comments:

  • At 5:49 PM, August 28, 2006, Blogger Richard said…

    I remember reading this last week on the AP wire, and the first thing I thought was "what were they thinking?" Who in their right minds would think they could use another's image and own words without their permission?

    I think this story ultimately ties into the discussion that Salamon started in Chapter 1 and that we'll continue throughout this semester. How does this action show that you are being accountable for your actions--especially if they attempt to shame the celebrity into not suing?

    Perhaps if they were thinking about their mission (whatever that may be--I'm not particularly knowledgeable about this religious group) and the programs and services they offer, then they'd not be facing this financial loss.

    This lawsuit deserves to go through, and this organization should pay every penny. Maybe that will get the management and communications department on board when it comes to following comm. law. And, if the legal aspects don't influence future behavior, maybe having to explain to donors and members why the $2 million is being given to Mr. Mason instead of helping reach out to others in need.

     

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