Friday, April 1, 2005
The University of Kansas has again hired outside consultants to help shape the school’s image. This time though, our beloved Jayhawk mascot may end up revealing a bare midriff and a lower back tattoo.
HotProdukt, Inc., has come on board the University’s public relations ship with plenty of accomplishments under its belt, including MTV’s “Real World vs. Road Rules Challenge” series and musician John Tesh’s 2002 “Boo-Ya!” World Tour.
“I wouldn’t say we create new personalities for clients, but we sure overhaul the old ones,” HotProdukt co-founder and chief operating officer Lesley Franks said by phone from the firm’s New York headquarters. “Kansas students can rest assured that we will add to the school’s existing image, not take away from it.”
Some disagree, including KU Bookstore employee Rachel Lyons, Salina sophomore, who said, “They’ll probably want us to print Applebee’s logos on exam blue books or something. I don’t trust them.”
Consensus or not, plans are under way for the University’s first HotProdukt-coordinated lecture series to be called “J-Hizzle.”
“We wanted to give you guys Flavor Flav and Mini-Me or someone who would really get a rise to start things off. But then the administration asked us to suggest someone a little more academic,” Franks said. “So, the inaugural lecture will be given by author Randolph Craysdale, whose 1999 book, ‘Go Ahead and Hit Me!,’ was a best seller. He’s smart, but he’s got an edge for sure. The things he says about carbon not really being the basis of life on Earth really get a rise out of people.”
Craysdale’s opens his 2002 pamphlet “Carbon, Schmarbon!” with:
“So we should just believe some scientists because they did a few experiments? Give me a break. If I’m made of the same stuff as charcoal, then I’d like to see someone try to throw me in a grill and cook hot dogs with me at the family barbecue,” Craysdale wrote. “I’ll give you a good punch in the gut before that happens, buddy!”
Craysdale’s confrontational tone and pseudo-scientific analysis have not made him any friends in academic circles, but University administration officials remain open to HotProdukt’s plans, despite their apprehension.
“We have faith in the overarching goal of increased exposure for the University of Kansas,” Tammy Weidrich, vice provost for media relations, said. “I think students have to take the good with the bad and look toward the future. I’m from Milwaukee, and everyone thought the Jeffrey Dahmer case would bring shame to our city. But then, 10 years later, we got a new baseball stadium.”
Following the above example, even questionable media attention may allow the University to reap long-term benefits. Students and faculty will soon be able to voice their approval or dismay at the school’s short-term plans and Craysdale himself.
Edited by Laura Francoviglia
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