Raffaele, with the utmost respect and admiration,
If readers click on the link above it should open with Adobe Acrobat reader. It is part one of a marvelous two part story by Jack Ryan, about circus press agents. I think it is important for the writing of circus history, to make the distinction between "press agent" and "historian." One's profession require them to be as biased as biased can be. They are touting the "best" and "greatest" that money can buy. Fact's have no relevance or place in a press agents world. A historian must be motivated by fact's and only fact's. A historian if he is not careful, may appear to be a "press agent". A press agent should be trying to win the "congeniality" award, while a historian should be only interested in the truth, regardless of who likes it. A "press agent" represents a company, a "historian" represents the truth. A "historian" has no King, no Army, no country, no agenda, other then the truth. If you are appointed the position of "Historian", or funded by someone, you aren't as you now have bias. If the position is self appointed, you must be careful you don't become a "press agent," with an agenda.
Courtesy of Jack Ryan
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20 comments:
Wade,
even mostly agreeing with your statement, I don't see the point.
I don't see in the GGW biography any "press agent" attitude (for the benefit of who?!), but only a selection of historical fact. The historian selects, depending his personal knowledge and orientation: aestethical, cultural, social or political. History is never impartial, and should not be, save in dictatorships.
Mr.Jando doesn't deny in his bio the fundamental American contribute in the making of GGW a star: an entire paragraph he writes about that. He only adds element to some interesting European influences that few others considered before. I don't think this a scandal, but an interesting contribute to History. Is nobody's fault if Mr.Houcke never worked in the Usa, but this doesn't mean to deny his incredible influence on his times' profession.
Concerning the funding to History: historian's cant exist without funding of universities and foundations. And Circopedia is founded by a respectable foundation for cultural researchs. If Big Apple circus support this foundation, this doesn't deny the credibility.
Well said Jack
I can't open the link as it
sends me to an AOL signup
Perhaps there is another route
Raffaele,
Fundamental American contribution? He writes on paragraph about that, and two larger one's about the influence of someone who, he has already stated his opinion on previously. Yes, that does seem fundamental.
In the Togni family tribute, there is strong mention of them kicking Ringling all over Europe, even a picture of the big horse display. I wonder if for the sake of history, folks would have liked to have known that the person working the center ring of horses, is GGW, who was later lured to America and RBBB. Not an entire paragraph, but just a fundamental mention.
I mentioned it because I had seen the site when it first started, but 3 different non-circus folks, not fans but interested individuals who I had directed to it all asked me, "We thought Ringling was the biggest circus in America? Do you have to have been with Big Apple Circus to be written about? I went back and look at why they would think that and the first thing I saw was the GGW bio. I read it, and realize how the rest of the history would be. I clicked on acts/artists and that pretty much told me why uninitiated folks would assume that. I may be confused here, does Big Apple support the foundation, or does the foundation support Big Apple. I think it speaks to credibility in any case. And I don't think even with the header that that is clear to someone chancing on the site: "A project of the Big Apple Circus,
inspired and funded by the Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation". Seems closer to "press agent" then "historian" to me and that was my point.
Regards,
Wade
I am anxiously awaiting Part Two of Mr. Ryan's article. The first was, of course, amazingly well written and informative regarding the history of Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Radar,
Are you sure?
Wade
Addendum to Raffaele,
It was just brought to my attention, in the interest of "history", that there are no photo's of Louis Knie with tigers, or anything for that matter. Just his name once as a son of, brother of. I would be glad to give Mr. Jando some of Louis, is the interest of "history" if he didn't have access to any. I wonder how a "historian" missed that? But that kind "press agentry" surly deserves a raise.
Wade
Wade,
Think maybe my attempt at a serious piece about the great Ringling press agents of the past has gotten lost in the shuffle here. Well, I tried.
It was written from a totally non-corporate perspective. Took many hours of research to try to paint the Ringling press agents of the past in perspective.
Think maybe it's time to let others who obviously know more than me take over.
Best regards,
Jack
Jack,
It was indeed a great piece, as I mentioned earler, and it was referenced to illustrate totally non corporate writing. I too am looking forward to part two.
Wade
Jack don't give up
Much of what shows up on this
site (with all due respect Wade)
gets awfully long winded and
says very little
Maybe Wade gets remuneration
based on word count
I for one (while not always
agreeing with you) respect
what you have to say and the
article on Flacks from long
ago is very well done
Thanks Jack
The horse display in the photo at the Togni family biography is taken in Paris, 1979.
The man in the center ring was Bruno Togni.
Raffaele,
Thank you for the correction. I wasn't sure, if that was the act GGW presented or not. I still think that would have been of historical interest, given the supposed influence.
Wade
Chic,
What is the deal? Nobody has not said it wasn't a great story, I am hoping the second one will focus on the Alan Bloom era. This blog is to make you think, to look at another side. It isn't for cutting jackpots. There are sites for that. There is tremendous readership on this blog, from many walks of life, not just the circus, and comments will always be down, when anonymous is not permitted. Of course, you are not supposed to agree with everything, just have the courage to say it. Agreement only comes when folks hear what they want to hear. The rest is the other side of the story.
Wade
Wade,
Part two will, of course, mention the late Allen Bloom. But he was the vice-president of marketing and mostly involved with advertising, promotions and running the Regional Marketing Directors on the road.
My focus is Ringling press agentry, not the much broader area of marketing.
Running as a sidebar to part two will be the recollections of Art Ricker who was on the road as a Marketing Director for well over twenty years. I asked Art to describe in his own words just what that job entailed. Think it will be the perfect companion piece to my press agents story, showing another whole side of our shared efforts to put butts into seats.
Best to all,
Jack
Jack,
I always thought the marketing of Allen Bloom was the "new" press agentry with a much broader media base. Art's thoughts will be much anticipated. He is a good friend, and one of the "originals" from that machine.
Wade
Wade,
Advertising is buying media.
Publicity is stealing it.
Best,
Jack
I guess, Wade, that I am not sure, but I see little reason in fudging dates and the information regarding the original merge of RBBB from a hundred years ago.
Radar,
I didn't realize you were referencing a specific part of it, I thought it was the story as a whole. Yes, it was a great story, but if of course was much about something of which I am not familiar.
Wade
Radar,
Maybe I misunderstood. But are you saying I fudged the dates about the RB and BB merger in my Spectacle story?
I can assure the dates are accurate, And, why on earth would I do that?
No Jack, that was exactly my point. There would be no reason.
Radar,
Finally, that was my point. Did you assume it was amazingly well written, given your knowledge of the subject?
Wade
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