Public relations and April Fools' Day

April 1st is a chance to pick up some easy PR. It's all in fun and it's no biggie if it doesn't go over well. Google changed its name to Topeka, design firm ZURB launched a Sharpie-sharpening campaign, and a law blogger punked the New York Times.

Fun and games, right? If it doesn't go over well, you just throw up your hands and say, "April Fools!" None of that usual burden of responsibility that comes along when a public relations agency controls a client's brand's messaging!

Just kidding. April Fools' Day is a hectic, headaching, aggravating tradition for our poor friends in the news media. And trying to separate the real news of the day from the publicity stunts, the jokes and the wild spin can make them cranky.

Quite a few reporters were irked, for example, when the Eugene Emeralds put out the news that they had recruited former Ducks quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, who was recently convicted for second-degree burglary.

Ducks quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, potential Heisman candidate turned convicted burglar, will not be playing minor league baseball this summer. That was only an April Fools joke. But some in the media aren't laughing. They call it a lie and a scam. "Eugene Emeralds Lie About Masoli Playing for the Ems," says KEZI. "The management team for the Eugene Emeralds played an April Fools' joke and then lied to local media to keep it going." The complaint is that, when asked if this press release was an April Fools joke, the Ems said no.

-Oregon Media Central

Other annoyed journalists called it "a breach of trust" and "tasteless." Well!

The moral of the story? Use April Fools' Day to put out something charming, and leave the deception to the Yes Men.

If you're not convinced, check out this list of truly tasteless April Fools day stunts.

-Adrianne (@msfener)