Eric Burns, Karl Frisch, and Clay Johnson recognized a dire need to keep the media accountable when Burns formulated Media Matters for America in 2006.
That knack for recognizing a much-needed service has led these three principles to break away from Media Matters to found the strategic communications firm Bullfight Strategies, which will specialize in left-leaning messaging.
The three principals of Media Matters first joined forces working on the House Rules Committee for Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) where they spearheaded efforts to address Republican corruption and Congressional ethics.
"The disastrous fall elections showed that progressives desperately need a different communications and media strategy utilizing new tools and new tactics to be competitive," said Burns. "Thats why I left Media Matters -- to build a firm that will empower clients to win in the media arena. The Bullfight Strategies method combines effective messaging with a unique understanding of how to aggressively and creatively drive a successful media narrative.
Bullfight will work at different communcations levels, including spokespersons, go-to support for left-leaning media outlets, and they will partner with technology specialists to "develop products that benefit not only progressive media but also communications specialists working within the progressive movement". These products are a particular point of fascination for me personally, as a technologist. In what form will we find them to be? Lie counters tuned into the O'Reilly Factor? Plug-and-go research and talking narratives for a particular topic - global climate chaos, Bush's multiple rationales for the Iraq war, or the master list of recent right-wing violent terrorists, perhaps?
Beyond intriguing.
It's been widely discussed that the right has benefited by tightly coordinated lie dissemination messaging for decade or more. It's precient of Burns, Frisch and Johnson to recognize the same need among us progressives and act on that need. We have something to say on the left, and that important message could use a shot of adreneline to be better heard. Maybe Bullfight is the answer.
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