Madeleine McCann: What Shannon Matthews Is Worth, Asda And PR
MADDYWATCH - Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Madeleine McCann and Shannon Matthews
THE SUN: “£20k reward in Shannon hunt”
THE Sun yesterday offered a £20,000 reward to find missing “little princess” Shannon Matthews.
Good on the paper. But does a reward help? Has it helped Madeleine Mccann? And why £20,000 when Madeleine McCann garnered so much more? Is a reward index linked to the missing child’s age? Or is it because Shannon’s parents are not middle-class - not doctors - and smaller amounts mean more to them?
We also printed posters urging our vast army of readers to help in the hunt for the nine-year-old schoolgirl. And last night her anguished mum Karen, 32, said: “I’m so grateful for all you are doing. It’s a fantastic gesture and means so much to us. We just hope it brings her back.”
Then, hugging Shannon’s stepdad Craig Meehan, 22, she added: “Our message to people is never give up . . . because we won’t until we find her.”
THE TIMES: “Poor little Shannon Matthews. Too poor for us to care that she is lost?”
“Her family may seem feckless. Neighbours can’t afford to run a PR campaign. How the public spotlight faded on missing girl.”
Shannon..?
Sarah Payne, smiling in her school uniform; Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, in their Manchester United shirts; Madeleine McCann, staring inquisitively with her distinctive bleeding iris . . .The names and faces of these girls who have disappeared are etched into the public’s collective memory.
Camera crews camped out in their home towns for weeks or months. Donations totalled thousands — even millions — of pounds. Members of the public, many of them strangers, came in their hundreds to offer help and prayers for their safe return.
Yet the trauma and mystery surrounding the disappearance of one nine-year-old girl almost two weeks ago appeared to drift from public consciousness within days…
She’s not Madeleine McCann. No doctors. No logo. No Maddy Catty. No watching the parents. The media treatment is no fault of the McCanns. But are we bored of missing children stories. Have the press caught Maddy fatigue?
Contrast the media-savvy McCann campaign with the brave efforts of Petra Jamieson, 30, a friend of Shannon’s mother, who managed to persuade her local branch of Asda to donate 24 white T-shirts on which the girl’s photograph had been printed.
What happened to Shannon Matthews? Who can we blame? The parents?
A deprived background, a dysfunctional family and a down-on-its-luck Yorkshire mill town: none of this is Shannon Matthews’s fault, yet it seems that she is paying the price.
No holiday scene. No excuse for hacks to go to hotter climes. Yorkshire in winter. Grey. Grim.
GLASGOW DAILY RECORD: “Mother’s Day Wish”
THE distraught mum of missing schoolgirl Shannon Matthews last night cried: “All I want for Mother’s Day is my princess back.”
DAILY MIRROR: “ALL I WANT FOR MOTHER’S DAY IS MY PRINCESS BACK”
Shannon Matthews’ desperate mother last night movingly declared: “All I want for Mother’s Day is my princess back.”As police continued searching thousands of homes for the missing nine-year-old schoolgirl, mum Karen, 32, said: “It is a special family day and we would all spend it together.
“Shannon would usually buy me a present or make me something at school.”
Stepfather Craig Meehan, 22, added: “It is going to be a heartbreaking Mother’s Day.”
LIVERPOOL ECHO: “Where’s media cry for poor Shannon?”
HOW disturbing that 10 days after Shannon Matthews disappeared, we still know so little about her. Her favourite band? The school she attends? The name of her best friend? All details that should be on our lips but aren’t.
But we do know her favourite song.
Somehow the vanishing of this little girl with her pony tail and fringe has failed to capture the media’s imagination; a story regularly consigned to the inside pages.
Why? Why do some cases attract saturation coverage and others don’t? I suspect it’s down to image, which stands for everything, and the skill now needed to work the notoriously fickle media.
Madeleine McCann’s parents have been criticised for employing a professional PR and for playing the media game, providing photo opportunities and press calls. But it’s paid dividends. The world now knows their daughter’s name and what she looks like.
Shannon’s mum can be no less distraught than Kate, but whether she has the support or the finance to get a media campaign on the road is doubtful.
But at the end of the day there is a little girl out alone in a harsh, cold world. And we should all be working together to get her home.
What part does the media play in finding a missing child? Don’t we have the police to search for Shannon and crack the case?
THE OBSERVER (Blog): “Speaker gets new spin doctor”
A Whitehall spin doctor who was a spokeswoman for Madeleine McCann’s parents has been hired to help the Commons Speaker, Michael Martin, deal with the media, it was announced today.
Not Campbell?
Sheree Dodd is an experienced communications expert who worked for John Prescott at the time it was revealed he was having an affair with his diary secretary.
Just another job…
Madeleine McCann- The PR Storm
Posted: 1st, March 2008 | In: Madeleine McCann, Tabloids Comments (798) | Follow the Comments on our RSS feed: RSS 2.0 | TrackBack | Permalink
Comments
March 1st, 2008 at 3:24 pm
153 lilith
taking a break from geetaar practice and having a cuppa
i do like the sound of your analysis - especially the funeral service
i’m not so sure about the eye defect idea though
i reckon they both had it, not just one of them
i also reckon that there’s something between her right royal holy fragrance and murat
let’s face it, pinchy face doesn’t seem to have been a model father in supporting the kiddos and that’s partly why she can’t cope
it was reported ages ago that pinchy was paying a lot of attention on quiz night to the fitness instructor/quizmistress - who seems to have kateipoo’s allocation in the tit department as well as her own.
but yes maddie could well be in the uk
as i’ve said before, i’d love to take lord eddie for a walk in their garden
they wouldn’t be stupid enough to do that would they?
they are arrogant enough - that’s for sure
what fun we have
only three more hard tunes to learn ;-(
March 1st, 2008 at 3:24 pm
260 Julie
I know! What has happened is the following:
I have woken up today feeling very positive. My ex has done some naughty things, that over the past four weeks have greatly upset me. However, it did some good too. I watched him in ITU moaning about failing in his bid to end his life, and in the bed opposite was a young woman in a coma, surrounded by photos of her daugher. It got me thinking. I never say how I feel, I prevaricate and hold back in case of confrontation.
But now, I don’t need to anymore, I am entitled to my opinion and when something gets to me, I am not going to hold back anymore. So, any more comments that are based on a shite understanding of the UKs single parents, be warned!
March 1st, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Amused Bystander drips this piece of venom:
1056 Julie & agw – Yesterday’s thread
“Poor little Shannon Matthews. Too poor for us to care that she is lost?” Not true of Anorak or its contributors Julie. We have been saying much the same thing for some time.
That sounds just a tad hypocritical coming from you, doesn’t it agw?? Your site has been piggy-backing on the Madeleine McCann affair for the past 10 months and profiting greatly in terms of web prominence as a result. And for the most part from posters not so much wishing to raise public awareness about finding Madeleine as infer the guilt of the parents even before they have been charged by the Portuguese authorities.
Meanwhile, not the slightest whiff from Anorak’s administrators about opening a blog on Shannon Matthews, as might be implied by your comment. So, in the cold light of Anorak’s editorial decisions, Shannon Matthews is INDEED “too poor (or, to be more precise, too unworthy media-wise) for (you) to care she is lost”.
Sorry to be so forthright in my remarks, but I just felt that your comment in that post left you wide open, n’est-ce pas??
Then Mods and Admin added:
Meanwhile sweetiepie have you seen todays thread or just too lazy to read it? we comment on the news we do NOT report it
Administrator: There are times when I know the combined talents of Ye Editor, Mods, Contributors and little ol’ me trailing up a thousand yards behind everyone are utterly wasted. If you can not be bothered to read the Opinion section why bother to make such stupendously stupid comments in one of them.
Congratulations Bystander: For the first time ever you have managed to amuse me.
We report the the coverage of the news. We Observe. We Comment. While you in your ivory tower play the dim-witted Court Jester, we play the game:
I quote me from two days ago. That is two full days before Britain’s National newspapers dragged themselves into the same frame of mind:
What disturbs me, slightly, is not the extraordinary interest paid to the minutiae of a 300-day-old story, it is the sole interest factor which is worrying.
There are many stories every day and you are all good, some even cracking, debaters.
There are other breaking, current, stories and areas of this site which would welcome your comment with open arms.
The Forum has many contributors who wearied of debate here.
Without thinking about this.
Name the parents, jobs, siblings and pets of Shannon Matthews.
No? Well shouldn’t there be debate on that!!
You say, in another staggeringly boring posting elsewhere today, say you are thinking of leaving. I have to say “Good” because you contribute little of value. That is a niggle.
When you get it so crassly, hopelessly, wrong, possibly deliberately, that makes me reel back in out-and-out despairing frustration.
Anorak is the leader is this field. It regularly beats the rest to the true story and Shannon was a classic example.
Never mind n’est-ce pas?? …that’s fact. That’s all I/we/Anorak deal in. -agw
March 1st, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Thorry Matt
, I’ll consider the 5p offer once I’m stinking rich 
March 1st, 2008 at 3:20 pm
259 pppy …. carry on chick, you’re brilliant today, bring on those trolls …. pppy is on a roll here
March 1st, 2008 at 3:17 pm
252 Julie
You are far safer with us. The fastest thing on this site is the speed with which “i-dont-believe-them” is pissing me off.
March 1st, 2008 at 3:15 pm
251 DuncanR
Make sure she DOES NOT eat the chicken ones…..yum
Red wine? I am about to start on a Laurant Perrier Rose.
Amazing what single mothers spend their maintenance on
March 1st, 2008 at 3:15 pm
254…Julie
March 1st, 2008 at 3:14 pm
244
Julie
Agree 100%, Shannon needs and deserves protection like any other kid, regardless of the parents lifestyle.
A lifestyle which did NOT include the gross criminal neglect the Perfect Parents showed their children I might add.
March 1st, 2008 at 3:13 pm
249 dont care…..what your name is..
I have been waiting for your next post wit
h great interest.
FYI.
I have been waiting three years for money from my ex. When I do get it, sporadically, its always late. I was advised never to rely on the money as it IS NOT guaranteed. The CSA take the money from him and then they forget to allocate it to me, then they pay it when they feel like it, once they have gained interest on it.
You are not from UK, so you know what: Your opinion counts for bugger all.
Now get your head out of your arse and go for a walk. See if some fresh air will bring you to your senses.
March 1st, 2008 at 3:12 pm
#
250
Matt. Says:
March 1st, 2008 at 3:08 pm
246…Julie
Wot do we get for our 5p ?
——————————–
CHEAPSKATE! You can stand at the back of the queue
March 1st, 2008 at 3:12 pm
244 Julie
I completely agree.
March 1st, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Yeah pppy, bought loads, but nothing for myself (as usual
)
Was planning on sussing out a new digital camera, but a certain youngster playing Evil Knievel on the road in daddy’s car put paid to that idea … decided that getting off the road and sitting safely in front of my computer was a better option … will head for the camera tomorrow!
March 1st, 2008 at 3:08 pm
234 - pppy Says:
+++++++++++++++++++++
Naw!
Tesco Multipak Assorted flavoured crisps ( 12 off)
Been munching them along with a bottle of Australian red whilst reading the comments that have been posted today. Only 8 left now.
Oh bugger!
Make that 7 (Mrs D just nabbed one)
March 1st, 2008 at 3:08 pm
246…Julie
Wot do we get for our 5p ?
March 1st, 2008 at 3:08 pm
i guarantee if no one paid for Karen’s children, she wouldn’t have had so many, and/or she would be still be with Father Number 1.
Look who are the role models in England: Kerry Katona, Jade Goody, Jordan, Kate Moss, Ulrika Johnson… Mothers of the Year! Americans probably never heard of these women but they are mother’s akin to Britney Spears but without the talent.
the difference between the UK and the US, as I can see it, is that single mothers are treated with respect and given money, no questions asked, where in the US there is still some shame in being a multiple daddier living off other people’s money.
i don’t judge Karen - I think she is just using the system. Yes, I wouldn’t want to be in the same room as her for very long, but then again, I don’t think she is an evil, conniving murderer, who has lied to the world, either. Maybe her boyfriend is, but i haven’t studied the situation well enough.
**************
Mods and Admin
And all this affects peoples concern for Shannon how exactly?
According to your last post there was £60 a week per person coming in, at the most, 7 of those being children.
Are you advocating a return to the hypocritical Victorian era of the workhouse?
Other than you have a personal vendetta against Shannon’s mother, what are the points you are making?
March 1st, 2008 at 3:07 pm
ANDDDDD…..HE’S OFF AGAIN!
Gerry finds new ways to pass for a member of the silent desperate army of missing children parents.
Notice:they are all non governmental:the state wouldn’t touch those two with a stick these days.
Day 303: 01/03/2008 - Saturday-No Update
NCMEC
Day 302
PACT
Day 302
Day 302: 29/02/2008-Friday
It has been a relatively quiet week for us. We did hear from the UK police that the French have officially ruled out the reported sighting of Madeleine in Montpellier. It is disappointing that it took so long, particularly after the widespread coverage the reported sighting received in the media.
Today Kate and I met with representatives of two UK charities involved in missing and abducted children. Missing People is the largest UK non-governmental organisation involved in this area and a member of Missing Children Europe. The introduction of a Europe wide child alert system is strongly supported by both organisations. Missing People have also applied to run the 116 00 number, which has been reserved throughout the EU as a missing child hotline. Missing People were responsible for displaying Madeleine’s image on Marble arch, along with 2 other missing children last summer. It was heartening to hear today that one of those children was recovered as a direct result and the other has also been successfully returned to his family.
PACT (parents and abducted children together) is a much smaller organisation founded by Catherine Meyer. PACT is positioned primarily as an advocates for change in how missing children cases are handled and identified very early how poorly data on missing and abducted children are collected. PACT would like to see a national centre in the UK similar to NCMEC in the USA. It was uplifting to see how Catherine has maintained her passion, drive and commitment to try and make effective changes even after ten years of campaigning. Kate and I will work with the various non-governmental organisations to influence the policy makers who decide these important decisions.
March 1st, 2008 at 3:07 pm
245..pppy
Has to be 103% or nuffin.
103% signifies certainty….in the befuddled mind of Clarence….only.
March 1st, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Oh pppy don’t be ashamed, that was an act of brilliance
P.S. I am on the next plane out of here, I will be landing on British soil tomorrow some time, and plan on starting my venture to become rich ….. watch out British Boys …. here I come … donations gladly accepted
March 1st, 2008 at 3:06 pm
244 julie
I do too, 208%
Did you buy anything nice?
March 1st, 2008 at 3:04 pm
#
230
DuncanR Says:
March 1st, 2008 at 2:54 pm
In any case, is a ‘missing’ child less deserving of our concern because of the lifestyle of her parents ?
——————————–
To be quite honest, Duncan I couldn’t give a frogs fart if the parent/s of a missing child are aliens from Gandy’s previous planet, EVERY MISSING CHILD DESERVES THE RIGHT TO BE FOUND ! It’s not Shannon’s fault that her mother had so many boyfriends and kids, she’s a little individual who had no choice as to who she was born to.
So I agree with your statement 206 %
March 1st, 2008 at 3:04 pm
duh duh duh
The one at the top, you are right, her nexk is almost bent right back!
How strange
March 1st, 2008 at 3:03 pm
239 marie nicholas
cant remember that photo, can you pst the link and lemme see please x
March 1st, 2008 at 3:02 pm
238 Julie
Glad to oblige.
I am ashamed now, I am hanging my head down.
ps. I am on an internet dating site trying to find a new donor for my next child, hell with those sorts of earnings to look forward to I could be rolling in it in nine months time.
March 1st, 2008 at 2:59 pm
212 i-dont-believe-them
“why does a British woman have seven kids with five different men?”
“Doing the Maths… if the average net earnings of the fathers is …”
Average net EARNINGS ?????
Sorry. No.
March 1st, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Something that crossed my mind, watching little Shannon’s picture blowing her birthday candles.
I don’t know who is holding the cake for her to blow the candles. But it isn’t somebody who tries to make things comfortable for the child. Look at the girl’s position. The cake is far too high. Just a detail, probably not revealing, but it makes me feel like lowering the cake, and allowing the girl to relax.
March 1st, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Hello everyone, I have returned after an eventful shopping expedition … couple of hundred bucks and one huge car smash later! Not my car thankfully (I know how to drive), but some idiotic youngster who was going way too fast, and daddy’s car paid the price! Will these youngsters NEVER EVER learn, if they are handed responsibility, they need to USE it!
pppy … saw your post that ended with “you SNOB” … I am PMSL, that just rounded it off so nicely
March 1st, 2008 at 2:59 pm
“A good marketing ploy”.
Such a dreadful and unfeeling comment for a father of a missing
child to make.
Thank you Vanity Fair for revealing that to us.
March 1st, 2008 at 2:58 pm
See you in a bit.Going for lunch
March 1st, 2008 at 2:57 pm
224
PeterMac
It certainly doesnt make him a good father