A few days ago, we gave you an update on the current strike negotiations. The WGA released the soggy counteroffer made by the AMPTP. Ultimately described as “giving with one hand, taking away with the other”, it was disappointing and not nearly good enough. In the wake of the strikes, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers has hired a PR management agency to help improve their image. This particular place’s specialty? Crisis.
The Levinson Group, run by Molly Levinson, prides itself on its ability to create better public relations for companies. Levinson is an Emmy Award-winning producer who has received significant accolades for her work. When receiving her “Crisis Manager of the Year” award in 2017, she was lauded as a “known problem solver.” PR News named her one of the “Top Women in PR” in 2021. In other words, Levinson has been brought in to try and salvage the AMPTP’s self-inflicted, ruined reputation.
Despite Levinson’s significant clout, the elephant is still in the room. With both the WGA and SAG-AFTRA on strike, there’s worry the Hollywood studios are looking antagonistic due to the media coverage. The AMPTP is scrambling to create a better image for themselves. All while simultaneously refusing the WGA’s pushes for fair treatment and monetary security. The move is laughable, especially given that it comes directly after the WGA refused the AMPTP’s counteroffer just days ago. With the WGA Negotiations Committee announcing the refusal of their terms and the AMPTP’s current revenue vs. the cost of their demands it just looks like what it is: Stubborn, tone-deaf, and greedy CEOs realizing their true colors are harming their public image. Now they’re calling in someone to put a band-aid on their bruised egos.
Too late, fellas. Ain’t no amount of PR is good enough to make us see you any differently.
THR first reported this news.
