Crowd
Crowd: CW
Definition
The attempt by a player to match or adopt an opponent's position in a marketplace or to affiliate with a trend, idea, or issue.
Workers on Strike
June 10, 2010
After seeing other workers get raises after going on strike, more factory workers in southern China are following suit (i.e., Crowding the idea).
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Trial Balloon
Trial Balloon: TB
Definition
The preview and testing of preliminary ideas or tentative plans. To reduce a player's exposure, Trial Balloons are often run without attribution to the player or positioned as temporary.
President Bobby Jindal?
June 9, 2010
Some political analysts test (i.e.,Trial Balloon) the idea of Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal for president by saying his response to the oil spill has been "presidential."
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Jam
Jam: JM
Definition
The attempt to disable or disorganize a rival's activities or communications. A Jam is typically intended to obscure, slow, or stop the delivery or acquisition of ideas or information of a rival.
Gizmodo Ignored
June 8, 2010
After Gizmodo's unofficial review of a new iPhone prototype, Apple prevented (i.e., Jammed) the website's ability to review the official launch of the new iPhone 4 by not inviting it to Monday's event.
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Pass
Pass: PS
Definition
The strategic withdrawal from a marketplace or play action. Typically a player will exit or 'bail out' of a marketplace to preserve its resources and/or focus them elsewhere for competitive advantage.
Quiet Town Halls
June 7, 2010
With last summer's heated town halls still fresh in their memories, Democrats have replaced (i.e., Passed) them with more controlled settings for events to avoid angry voters.
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Call Out
Call Out: CT
Definition
An overt public expression of doubt or concern, usually aimed at a competing person or organization, intended to call into question a flaw in the opponent's position or message set. Call Outs often have a tone of moral authority; they're judgmental and direct.
Sugary Sweet and Nutritious?
June 4, 2010
The Federal Trade Commission says it expects more from Kellogg's, accusing (i.e., Calling Out) the company for making misleading health claims about Rice Krispies cereal.
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Recast
Recast: RC
Definition
The reinterpretation of an action, event, information, message, or symbol by a player so as to lend support to that player's position or agenda or to neutralize or weaken that of its rival.
Higher Wages, Happier Workers?
June 3, 2010
With accusations that workers' suicides were work-related, Foxconn denies (i.e., Recasts) that its decision to raise salaries is a direct response to the suicides.
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Bait
Bait: BT
Definition
The overt provocation of an opponent through action or information, usually intended to draw an emotional, rather than rational, response. This play typically compels an opponent to move in the direction of the player - like a bull charging a cape - against its better judgment.
"Drill, Baby, Drill"
June 2, 2010
Referencing the recent offshore oil disaster, Sarah Palin taunts (i.e., Baits) environmentalists, emphasizing that onshore drilling is a safer and better option.
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Label
Label: LB
Definition
A word or phrase - self-given by a player or attributed to an opponent - that reshapes or deepens the meaning of the recipient's position, brand, or reputation. A Label, typically rooted in symbols and metaphors, is characterized by simplification, alliteration, and other semantic tricks.
An Angry Turkey
June 1, 2010
Turkey called (i.e., Labeled) Israel's raid on a flotilla of ships carrying aid to the Gaza strip as a "bloody massacre."
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