Public Relations & Social Marketing Insight

The "Occupy" movement is designed to draw attention to many negative aspects of society, inequality and injustice being primary targets. However, as the movement has developed and gained traction, the media's attitude towards the protests has been seen to highlight flaws in the structures of American media institutions and their policies.

Many mainstream media outlets initially held their peace and did not devote much coverage to the original "Occupy Wall Street" protests. The movement began on a weekend and protestors made their point in a fairly non-disruptive fashion, which perhaps lessened initial media the interest in the demonstrations. Now, with off-shoot movements springing up all over the world, it is harder to ignore the movement....

Four possible futures for a movement built through successful public relations

This week’s media stories are filled with speculation about the future of the international movement ignited by the ‘Occupy Wall Street’ demonstrations in September. The question is a compelling one: has the protest movement passed its peak, or does it have a ‘second act?’

It’s easy to see the media’s interest in this question; the narrative of rise, setback and either downfall or comeback is a familiar one — not just in news but also in literature and film. And setbacks often involve flashpoints — such as the tragic death of a Vancouver protestor last weekend. Such incidents, along with colder weather across the northern hemisphere, will give rise to debates about whether authorities should work toward an orderly shutdown....