Media Battle

A media battle is brewing.


Michael Jackson's doctor faces media battle with star's family

Posted: Apr. 29, 2011 | 2:05 a.m.

Las Vegas media-relations expert Mark Fierro has handled his share of big cases lately, but nothing compares to his latest assignment.

Fierro, who has worked as a press liaison on behalf of Dr. Michael Kaplan and embattled construction defect attorney Nancy Quon in Las Vegas, has just been hired to represent the defense in the involuntary manslaughter trial in Los Angeles of Michael Jackson's doctor, Conrad Murray.

Set to begin May 9, the trial is expected to last until mid-July. Jackson died of a drug overdose on June 25, 2009, with Murray present.

Fierro was retained by attorneys Ed Chernoff and Michael Flanagan for an assignment that has drawn international interest. He also is up against a formidable press spin machine in the media-savvy Jackson family.

If Fierro is to try to help balance the scales in the court of public opinion, he better start early. Just Thursday Jackson's mother, Katherine, made herself available to raise the issue of her disappointment that Murray faces no worse than a four-year prison sentence if convicted.

"Sometimes I think, why have a trial if … the maximum sentence is only four years," she said in an Associated Press story.

Included in the article is the news that the bereaved Mrs. Jackson plans to attend the trial daily.

She told AP, "I'll be there, but it just hurts me because my son is gone and for forever and this man is trying to get away and get off. He needs to be punished."

Make that a very early start.

"Nobody should discount his chances," Fierro said after being briefed by defense counsel. "This is a very strong case. This isn't a 5 or a 6. For the defense, this is a very strong case."

http://www.lvrj.com/news/michael-jac...9.html?ref=279

Here is Fierro's bio.

Mark Fierro
President

Twenty five years of professional experience in media relations, marketing, sales, promotions and journalism make Mark Fierro one of the most trusted names in public and media relations in the Las Vegas valley. Mark’s knowledge of public perception and uncanny ability to communicate his client’s message to a wide audience is evident in the major strategic roles Fierro Communications, Inc has played in two special sessions of the Nevada State Legislature.

In the 2004 impeachment proceedings against State Controller Kathy Augustine, Mark’s role as communications counsel for the defense was pivotal in her acquittal. In 2001, Mark successfully directed all public relations efforts, including broadcast and print media relations, for the Nevada Trial Lawyers. In 1999, Mark was instrumental in Oscar Goodman’s come-from-behind mayoral election victory. Mark helped propel Goodman’s campaign through television, direct mail and overall campaign strategy.

From 1992 to 1999, Mark set his sights on Wall Street and served as a consulting form focused on road show presentations. His work helped support initial public offerings with financial industry titans such as Paine Webber Global Headquarters in New York and Merrill Lynch offices.

Prior to his foray on Wall Street, Mark served a Communications Aide to U.S. Rep Jim Bilbray from 1987-1992. Mark oversaw all communications between the Congressman, the media and constituent groups. Bilbray’s media operations were viewed as among the most aggressive on Capitol Hill with constantly produced satellite feeds and twice-weekly news releases. During this time, Mark also ran the Congressman’s campaigns during a series of leave of absences from the House of Representatives.

Between 1978 and 1987, Mark was an anchor and lead reporter for KLAS-TV 8 television in Las Vegas – one of the most respected broadcast news operations in the Western United States. As a beat reporter covering rampant organized crime in Las Vegas in the 1980’s, Mark generated stories that were subpoenaed by the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on investigations probing the infiltration of organized crime into the city. Exclusive interviews included organized crime figures and serial killers on death row. Before taking a job as a reporter on KLAS-TV 8, Mark earned a degree in Journalism and Communications from University of Nevada at Las Vegas.

Got this from positivelymichael.

The defense has made it clear that funds or the lack thereof, are an issue for them. Yet they can hire a PR man?

The judge has already said, from the outset, that this would be tried IN COURT and no where else. Well, of course!
So, apart from trying to influence a prospective juror pool, what's the point? I suppose this might tie into why chernoff wants to try and get a delay of the trial... more time for the PR machine to do its work.

I still want to know where murray's getting his money!!!

Pro bono

That's what I heard at first but then...there's this:

Despite the challenges of Murray's case, Chernoff says he can't complain. "I promised him I wouldn't abandon him," he says of Murray.
"And we get paid well for what we do, by any standard." Chernoff adds, "I'm not positioned in life that I could afford to do this for free."

Click to expand...

http://www.law.com/jsp/tx/PubArticleTX.jsp?id=1202479658686&slreturn=1&hbxlogin=1&slreturn=1

Well murray is working.thought u were talking about his new P.R

Good grief! you mean the PR guy is doing this pro bono??

The articke u posted was about his new p.r then u asked who was paying. Wouldnt be surprised if it was pro bono.thats how alot work in high profile cases.publicity is worth alot

Murray will still be found guilty:yes:

elusive moonwalker said:

The articke u posted was about his new p.r then u asked who was paying. Wouldnt be surprised if it was pro bono.thats how alot work in high profile cases.publicity is worth alot

Click to expand...

Didn't know that about PR firms. And the publicity with this will be unbelievable. (BTW I didn't post the original article but that's okay )

Doesn't it look as if they are preparing to lose? That's why they are so concerned with damage control. Even though the case will be legally tried in court, afterwards when they lose and go to appeal, as I am sure they will, maybe they hope to influence the outcome there at some subconscious level. *long sigh* This will never be over...

Sorry thought u posted the article.apologies

That's okay, not a big deal! :dont_mention_it:

MJ~And~Me said:

Murray will still be found guilty:yes:

Click to expand...

Well, we sure hope so!

LOL @ the Jacksons being media-savvy.

cinzia said:

Didn't know that about PR firms. And the publicity with this will be unbelievable. (BTW I didn't post the original article but that's okay )

Doesn't it look as if they are preparing to lose? That's why they are so concerned with damage control. Even though the case will be legally tried in court, afterwards when they lose and go to appeal, as I am sure they will, maybe they hope to influence the outcome there at some subconscious level. *long sigh* This will never be over...

Click to expand...

Damage control makes sense for a company that risks losing customers. Murray's 'clients' are allegedly supportive of him since day 1.
PR specialists are hired to address interested publics/clients or stakeholders in view of or during a crisis. I find it very odd that an entire team is working on what? Murray not losing his patients in order to pay child support? Who cares about that anyway? It's like cracking nuts with explosives.

Thank you for sharing

You're welcome.