[Boycott - Tourism]

Girls - Israel's racy new PR strategy

Kevin Peraino, Newsweek
9 April 2007

Taking in the scene, David Saranga can't help but grin. The Israeli consular official based in New York approached Maxim six months ago. His proposal: the government and other pro-Israeli groups would fly a camera crew across the Atlantic in an effort to remake the Jewish state's public image. Israel's reputation had suffered after last summer's war with Lebanon; in a recent BBC poll taken in 27 countries, 56 percent of respondents considered Israel a "negative influence" in the world, higher than both Iran and the United States. But Israel's real PR problem, according to Saranga, is that Americans—particularly men aged 18 to 35—either associate the country with war or holy relics, or don't think of it at all. "We have to find the right hook," he says. "And what's relevant to men under 35? Good-looking women."

Saranga's effort is the latest volley in a long-running battle over how to sell Israel to the world. Tourism is a nearly $2 billion-a-year industry in Israel, and the art of public relations is something of a national obsession. In Hebrew it's called hasbarah, which means "explaining." For a country that's always craved international acceptance, hasbarah was "the first growth industry of Israel," the American author Richard Ben Cramer wrote. "We almost have a psychological disorder when it comes to public image," adds Eytan Schwartz, the first winner of Israel's top-rated reality TV show, "The Ambassador." Schwartz's prize is proof of that: the winner of "The Ambassador" gets to become a public-relations flack.

Still, by definition, hasbarah is open to interpretation. One of the central dilemmas is which aspects of Israel's wildly diverse society to emphasize. Israelis disagree about which is more likely to appeal to Americans—Tel Aviv's freewheeling, secular charms, or Jerusalem's holy sites. Settler leader Benny Elon, a former tourism minister, says he considers ads touting Israel's beaches a waste of money. For Elon, it isn't only a cultural issue; it's also bad business. Tourists in search of sunshine will always favor the French Riviera or the Caribbean. Israel's "unique selling proposition" is its religious heritage, says Elon. "It's the only state where you can take the Bible as your tourism guide." A recent study by the consulting firm Ernst & Young recommends that the Jewish state target American evangelical Christian tourists—one of Elon's pet projects.

Saranga insists his campaign is just smart niche marketing. "You have to match the message to the audience," the diplomat says. And his supporters argue that the Jewish state's diversity is one of its strongest selling points. Ultimately, says Dershowitz, "Israel is both countries ... a country where models pose at great holy sites." The tattoos on shooter Jim Malucci's biceps make the balance look easy to find. But marketing budgets are finite, and cultural rifts aren't so easily bridged. The reality of Israel is often having to choose: go with the girl, or go with God.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17888451/site/newsweek/#

[1]"It's [Philip Morris] Marlboro brand alone (the world's best selling brand) was estimated to have killed 75,000 Americans in one year." - http://www.mcspotlight.org/beyond/companies/pmorris.html

Beautiful Israel

Israeli Consulate General in New York convinces Maxim men's magazine to take photo shoot of Israeli models as part of campaign to change Israel's image, attract tourists

Itamar Eichner, Yediot Aharonot (Ynetnews)
2007-03-23

The idea came about when Israeli officials read that public opinion studies about Israel's image in the US found that the average American knew three things about their tiny country: war hotspot, stubborn people, and beautiful women.

The Foreign Ministry asked its delegates in New York to come up with a project that would encourage American tourists to come to Israel cashing in on the country's reputation for being home to some of the world's most beautiful women.

Maxim editors initially rejected a proposal by the Israeli Consulate to cover the personal stories of famous Israeli models, but when the Consulate sent pictures of 12 carefully selected beauty queens, Maxim was quick to acquiesce.

Seven out of the 12 Israeli models will feature in the men's magazine: Sharon Markovitch, Natalie Niv, Yarden Harel, Moreyal, Nivit Bash, Tali Hendel and former Miss Israel Gal Gadot.

The magazine is sending a team of three top photographers to Israel for a photo shoot of the models at several locations in the center of Israel that will include stops in Yaffo, Neveh Tzedek, the financial center in Ramat Gan, and Tel Aviv beaches.

The project includes the production of a video featuring the models which the consulate plans to send to American television broadcasters.

"The project aims at attracting young audiences and to stress the beautiful face of Israel," Israeli Consul General in New York Ariyeh Mekel said.

David Saranga, the Consul for Media and Public Affairs, said, "A study we conducted taught us that Israel is not relevant to men aged 18 to 34 and the project aims at showing that Israel is a modern, lively, young and dynamic country."

The America Israel Friendship League and the Israel21c organization will contribute to the cost of the project.

Source: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3380172,00.html

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