Katja Fašink : The Impact Of Street Stylers On Media, Politics And Show Business

Mrs. Katja Fašink, CEO at key7 Communications & Cyber Security, Forbes Councils Member, winner of the WCFA DAVOS Best Crisis Communication Leader 2023 first prize, writes for Diplomacy&Commerce about the influence of Street Stylers On Media, Politics And Show Business. Street stylers represent a new breed of influencers and communicators that emerged in the late 1990s, epitomized by groups like the Spice Girls.

 

Unlike traditional influencers, street stylers:

• Cut ties with elitism and high societal normativity.

• Brought street style to the top of the charts and people’s interest.

• Don’t rely on quality clothes, glamorous hair and makeup or perfect nails.

• Prioritize persistence and pushiness over talent and education.

The current landscape seems to prioritize self-promotion and personal branding over traditional values. This shift challenges the long-standing emphasis on education, refinement, cultural awareness, expertise and measurable achievements.

How are street stylers a threat to businesses and individuals?

The rise of street stylers has brought with it a new set of challenges for businesses and individuals alike.

Imagine waking up one day to find your reputation under attack from all angles. That’s the power of media manipulation wielded by street stylers. These aren’t your traditional journalists or commentators. No, we’re talking about a new breed of “media personalities” who’ve set up shop with nothing more than a laptop and an internet connection. They open amateur blogs and suddenly declare themselves media moguls. The scary part? They write whatever they want, often with a personal axe to grind, and present it as fact and can be incredibly persistent in their attacks.

But it doesn’t stop there. These street stylers have learned to play the media game, and they play it dirty. They start spinning tales daily, hoping that if they shout loud enough and long enough, mainstream media will pick up their stories. And in our post-truth world, where fact-checking sometimes seems like a lost art, even the most baseless claims can gain traction. These people have no shame—they’ll fake it until they make it, and lie through their teeth to get there.

Now, if you find yourself in their crosshairs, watch out. These street stylers are like stalkers. They’ll monitor your every move, studying your patterns, preferences and vulnerabilities. Why? So they can hit you where it hurts most. They’re not just firing off random attacks; they’re meticulously planning their strikes for maximum damage.

And when they do strike, it’s often aimed right at your reputation. In the world of street style, where image is everything, a well-executed media spin can be devastating. They know how to exploit the viral nature of social media to spread negativity like wildfire. Before you know it, that false narrative they’ve cooked up is everywhere, threatening everything you’ve worked so hard to build.

The bottom line? Street stylers might seem like just another group of social media loudmouths but underestimate them at your peril. They’ve got the tools, the tenacity and often the lack of scruples to cause real damage to businesses and individuals. Therefore, staying vigilant and being prepared to defend your reputation is more important than ever.

How can you protect your reputation and business from the street styler spin?

In this digital battleground, where street stylers reign supreme, protecting yourself isn’t just smart—it’s survival. Let’s talk about how to armor up against these metaphorical assassins.

First things first, you need a public relations team that’s not just good, but bulletproof. I’m talking about media ninjas who can sniff out a false narrative from a mile away and crush it before it gains traction. They need to excel in crisis communication and reputation management, capable of navigating even the most turbulent media waters.

But PR alone won’t cut it. You need a cybersecurity squad that will monitor every corner of the web, tracking potential spin sources and locking down your digital assets tighter than a drum. Remember, in this game, information is ammunition, and you can’t afford to let a single byte fall into enemy hands.

Now, when you feel those street styler crosshairs on your back, it’s time to go full detective mode. Document everything—screenshots, spreadsheets and anything else that’s relevant. The quicker you can piece together the big picture, the better your chances of survival.

And when it comes time to respond? Choose your weapon carefully. Maybe you need to fight fire with fire, adopting that “Street Spice Girl Style” to beat them at their own game. Or perhaps the situation calls for “Vivienne Westwood’s Eternal Glorifying Glamour” to rise above the fray with unassailable class. Often, a nuanced combination of both proves most effective. The key is knowing your audience.

Here’s a little secret, though. If these street stylers are coming at you hard and wearing you down with their relentless attacks, that means you’ve achieved a level of importance or success that others find threatening.

But don’t let their fear become your downfall. While they’re busy spinning their webs of lies, you keep doing what you do best. Continue to prioritize education, talent and performance. Build and nurture a loyal audience based on genuine value and expertise. In the long run, authenticity and quality will outlast any short-term media spin. At the end of the day, that’s your true armor against these street styler attacks—a loyal following that knows quality when they see it.

By implementing these strategies, businesses and individuals can better protect themselves against the sophisticated threats posed by today’s street stylers and their media manipulation tactics. Stay vigilant, stay prepared and, above all, stay true to your core values and strengths.