| By Randi M. Killian
At a dinner party this past November, the hostess greeted everyone who came in the door with paper and pen. The instructions were simple: Write down one thing that people don’t know about you, and place the paper in the bowl on the table in the foyer.
The information we provided was then shared with the group over cocktails, and people were encouraged to guess who had written what. This made, as you can imagine, for more than a few laughs and well-intended taunts.
Now, I’ve had occasion to play this little game several times, and I wrote down something that, while true, would be considered “out of character” by people who think they know me. So, it should come as no surprise that no one guessed who had written, “I like watching the Miss America Pageant.” Knowing me as a dyed-in-the-wool avowed feminist, no one in the room even thought to attribute that statement to me.
But, even more surprising perhaps was the ensuing conversation, which focused on how bad the show was reported to have been, whether or not the pageant would return to television next year, and the viability of institutions such as the Miss America Pageant in this day and age.
In Case You Missed It . . .
Personally, I realized the event might be in trouble when the host walked on stage at the start of the program. “Oh no,” I cried to my husband. “It’s the guy from ‘The Bachelor!’” Having the same person host Miss America and “The Bachelor” led me to fear the pageant would be turned into some sort of reality show.
That wasn’t the only change. The length of the show was reduced from three hours to two, the first elimination of candidates (from 52 down to 10) occurred within the first five minutes, the question-and-answer portion (you know, the part when they got to talk about world peace) was eliminated entirely, and the talent portion was reduced to a run-off between two of the finalists.
It seems my fears were on target.
The producers tried, and failed, to create “Miss America , Reality Style.” The concept just didn’t work. In fact, the show did so poorly that ABC announced it was dropping it for next year.
So, the Miss America Organization is looking for a new television home for next year, and it’s looking for ways to make the show — and the pageant — more relevant. The bad press, bad feelings, and really bad production could have been avoided if the pageant organizers and the television show producers had been more focused on the needs of the audience that watches the pageant.
A Bit of Personal History
Let me set the record straight. I never once wanted to be Miss America or participate in the pageant. But, the event has been part of my life for as long as I can remember.
When I was a little girl, I loved the glamour of it. In high school, I laughed a bit at the concept, but I still watched. I enjoyed my sister pulling out the Barbie dolls and dressing them appropriately for each segment of the competition.
In college and immediately after, friends would gather to see the show. There was even a drinking game that called for shots every time one of the contestants uttered the phrase “world peace” (which we all turned into “whirled peas” as a joke).
When I got married, it turned out that my husband enjoyed watching the program, and we would bet each other as to which contestant would win the crown. Soon, my sister started getting out the Barbie dolls for my niece. There was something comforting in the tradition and the reliability of the pageant and in all of our vicarious participation. That is, there was until this year.
“What were they thinking?” we asked ourselves as we watched this year’s program. There was not doubt that the pageant was in need of a facelift. But, this year’s production was worse than change for change’s sake — it was, quite simply, change run amok.
Both the pageant and the participants suffered because of it. But, I’d have to say the audience suffered even more.
An Important Lesson
One of the biggest challenges we all face is making the right kinds of change for the right kinds of reasons, whether in business or life.
In business, the changes we make must be relevant for the people who matter most — our customers, donors, clients, and end users. Likewise, I can accept that Miss America needs to be different, but I know the difference has to be right, meaning it must make sense for both the participants and the audience.
I hope that the pageant organization will keep that in mind as they plan for the next year. I also hope that we’ll get back to talking a bit about “whirled peas.” After all, the world sure could use some.
Randi Killian helps companies change, enhance and protect their brands through speaking, coaching and consulting with a strategic approach to marketing, issues management, crisis communications, branding, and media relations . Contact her at randi@randib.com or visit www.randib.com.
(This article is reprinted from the Winter 2005 edition of Enterprising Women magazine. Copyright 2005 Enterprising Women Inc. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited, except by express permission of the publisher.)
|
