Google rep sorry for Sicko blog
p2pnet news | movies:- If you’re among those who thought Google was down on Michael Moore for his Sicko documentary which castigated America’s health-care system, shame on you.
“In fact, Google does share many of the concerns that Mr. Moore expresses about the cost and availability of health care in America,” says product marketing manager Missy Krasner on the company blog.
“We can place text ads, video ads, and rich media ads in paid search results or in relevant websites within our ever-expanding content network,” said Lauren Turner in the item which made gorges rise.
She asked, Does negative press make you Sicko?
No need to worry, though, she went on, because, “Whatever the problem, Google can act as a platform for educating the public and promoting your message.”
Among other things, “the media may use an isolated, heartbreaking, or sensationalist story to paint a picture of healthcare as a whole,” she said. “With all the coverage, it’s a shame no one focuses on the industry’s numerous prescription programs, charity services, and philanthropy efforts.”
A p2pnet reader, a dying US veteran, angrily pointed out, “I am one of those ‘isolated’ stories, I know dozens more personally (many of whom I am related to), and HUNDREDS more as loose associates.”
Now, “I’ve learned a few things since I posted on Friday,” says Turner.
Among them is the thought, “advertising is a very democratic and effective way to participate in a public dialogue”.
In Britain, that’d be called a Googly Ball, a cricket term which describes how a bowler achieves a certain kind of spin. And that’s Google’s official view of things, she states.
In full, Turner says:
For one thing, even though this is a new blog, we have readers! That’s a good thing. Not so good is that some readers thought the opinion I expressed about the movie Sicko was actually Google’s opinion. It’s easy to understand why it might have seemed that way, because after all, this is a corporate blog. So that was my mistake — I understand why it caused some confusion.
But the more important point, since I doubt that too many people care about my personal opinion, is that advertising is an effective medium for handling challenges that a company or industry might have. You could even argue that it’s especially appropriate for a public policy issue like healthcare. Whether the healthcare industry wants to rebut charges in Mr. Moore’s movie, or whether Mr. Moore wants to challenge the healthcare industry, advertising is a very democratic and effective way to participate in a public dialogue.
That is Google’s opinion, and it’s unrelated to whether we support, oppose or (more likely) don’t have an official position on an issue. That’s the real point I was trying to make, which was less clear because I offered my personal criticism of the movie.”
Over at Googleville, “Google does share many of the concerns that Mr. Moore expresses about the cost and availability of health care in America. Indeed, we think these issues are sufficiently important that we invited our employees to attend his film (nearly 1,000 people did so),” says Krasner. “We believe that it will fall to many entities – businesses, government, educational institutions, individuals – to work together to solve the current system’s shortcomings. This is one reason we’re deploying our technology and our expertise with the hope of improving health system information for everyone who is or will become a patient.”
Meanwhile, “Does your media mix need a checkup?” – wonders Google.
“As more and more consumers migrate online to find health care information, more and more advertisers are focusing their marketing dollars on online ad platforms. Want to make sure your message stands out in this challenging new media environment?
“Google Health Advertising can help.”
Also See:
down on Michael Moore – Google slices Sicko, July 2, 2007
dying US veteran – Google drops a Sicko bollock, July 5, 2007
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