There have been a couple (not many) "She's one of us or one of them comments." What I would say, having had to apologize for my fair few pigs lacking lipstick in the past is that, it's rarely so one-sided for someone throw in in the communication role. As to why she would take this job, I think this is an excellent test of someone's mettle and ability. If it goes wrong, she can simply put on her CV that she worked at Charlton "A historic club with strong ties in the community, etc." Remember that few are as close to all of this as we are.
That said, if it goes RIGHT, which for many on here is impossible, well then it's the stuff careers are made of.
Also, I would guess that if she does her job well, if she tells hard truths and tries to explain the culture to KM and RD, we'll never see it. As someone mentioned keeping KM out of the spotlight and quiet is the best thing she can do right now. If there were to be changes at the top, namely KM, Mel could well outlast her boss. As such, I think it's important that she is not scapegoated or shot for being the messenger. She's not going to hire a sodding director of football to provide continuity of transfer and managerial appointments, let alone a broader recruitment tool, but she could be one of the few senior people at the club whose job it is to explain the culture of the club.
Best of luck to her, and hopefully there can continue to be constructive dialogue with her, even if there isn't with anyone else at the club.
The last resort of the PR/HOC spin doctor when all is lost will be to advise a re-branding or re-naming. Given that the NightMeire doesn't give a toss about the history of the club I wouldn't put it past her to explore a name-change for Charlton (similar to the Robert Maxwell attempt at Oxford/Reading = Thames Valley Royals) as a snub to the long-term supporters she so obviously despises. Thames Barrier Valiants anyone?
The last resort of the PR/HOC spin doctor when all is lost will be to advise a re-branding or re-naming. Given that the NightMeire doesn't give a toss about the history of the club I wouldn't put it past her to explore a name-change for Charlton (similar to the Robert Maxwell attempt at Oxford/Reading = Thames Valley Royals) as a snub to the long-term supporters she so obviously despises. Thames Barrier Valiants anyone?
I can see a nice blue and white strip to go with that.
When taking a job like this you surely have to buy into RD/KM's vision for the club, her job is now to try and sell/spin that vision to the fans, good luck with that.
In a nutshell. So either she is "one of them" and will just be trying to spin the story to make it palatable (good luck with that as you say), or she may find her tenure at CAFC short-lived. Perhaps explains why she hasn't updated her LinkedIn profile?
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That said, if it goes RIGHT, which for many on here is impossible, well then it's the stuff careers are made of.
Also, I would guess that if she does her job well, if she tells hard truths and tries to explain the culture to KM and RD, we'll never see it. As someone mentioned keeping KM out of the spotlight and quiet is the best thing she can do right now. If there were to be changes at the top, namely KM, Mel could well outlast her boss. As such, I think it's important that she is not scapegoated or shot for being the messenger. She's not going to hire a sodding director of football to provide continuity of transfer and managerial appointments, let alone a broader recruitment tool, but she could be one of the few senior people at the club whose job it is to explain the culture of the club.
Best of luck to her, and hopefully there can continue to be constructive dialogue with her, even if there isn't with anyone else at the club.
Given that the NightMeire doesn't give a toss about the history of the club I wouldn't put it past her to explore a name-change for Charlton (similar to the Robert Maxwell attempt at Oxford/Reading = Thames Valley Royals) as a snub to the long-term supporters she so obviously despises. Thames Barrier Valiants anyone?
The Fans Forum meetings would never be the same.