Fairly Legal and ADR Publicity

I've been watching the discussion on Fairly Legal with some interest and as a PR professional and ex-journalist, I can definitively say that this show will be good for ADR visibility. The simple truth is, mediators should be rock stars in modern American society, but they aren't because nobody knows they exist. If nothing else, the character of Kate Reed, high heels and all, will bring the concept of a mediator and mediation into the public eye in a way almost nothing else can or has, so far.

I would also be very careful about getting too critical of the show and dismissing it out of hand. I had the opportunity to watch the pilot and can say that as TV goes, ADR did pretty well by this one. I spoke withe Michael Sardo, the creator and executive producer of the show the other night and he struck me as both sincere and very intelligent. He wants to entertain and hopes his show will be a success, but he also wants it to help people. I think local CDRCs and individual ADR practitioners should see the premier as a huge opportunity to get the word out.

If you're interested in seeing more about the show and what Sardo had to say, please follow the link below. It's the web edition of NYSDRA's monthly newsletter and contains the full story I did on the show and my conversation with Sardo.

http://www.nysdra.org/news/news.aspx?action=details&newsid=156

Take care and I hope everyone had a great New Year.

Mike

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Michael Seinberg

Director of Communications and Technology

New York State Dispute Resolution Association, Inc.

1450 Western Avenue

Suite 101

Albany, NY 12203

(518) 687-2240 Ph

(518) 687-2245 Fax