FOX News (Sports) is caught suffering in their “we don’t manipulate, we’re fair and balanced” marketing net.
So what’s manipulative about fair and balanced?
Their fair and balanced marketing and name recognition branding is a solid cover for the times when they aren’t at all fair and balanced.
The headline below. What does it imply? Something negative about LeBron James. Why is that important?
It’s important for two reasons. FOX knows the average FOX viewer can’t stand James. So then… the it “sucks playing with him” is LeBron hate red meat to the average FOX viewer. For the record, I’m also not a James fan. At all.
Remember from my book, Media Medevac. Your hate equals their profit. You’re like, yeah. Can’t stand the guy. Get him. Pile on…
And then it happens. You’ve been duped. The article is an omage to James’ amazing work ethic. Sucks to play with him? Because he makes you work harder. Feel bad if you don’t. Supposedly… Fair and balanced just got another twenty ad views because you wanted to rubber neck the disdain for this mutual enemy.
Normally, the view generators are more direct. You will see this “LeBron” kind of tilted headline on slow news days. Really slow days. The next two are the easy, more dependable versions of red meat. Hilary and Obama. Just say their names to the audience. Then? Release the hounds!!
Need some headline views? Thank you Hilary. Thank you Barack. Remember. Your hate… Slow day? NP. Filler? NP. Like a solid relief pitcher in baseball. Tap the arm, Mr. Manager. Right for Hilary. Left for Obama. And the game goes on. You clicked to indulge the emotional connection you feel in organized mutual disdain for these critters.
Because we are conservatives, we need to call out “our” news sources. Manipulation isn’t necessary. It isn’t ethical. It’s insulting.
Change the music FOX. You’re not an old dog with new tricks. You’re an old dog lacking imagination, diligence, and respect for your audience.