Queen’s University marketing professor Monica LaBarge is available to talk about media reports of alleged public drunkenness by Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and how the negative publicity will impact his reputation and public image.

Dr. LaBarge, a former public relations executive who specializes in marketing communications, feels these latest allegations won’t change the general public’s mind – they already either love the mayor or hate him.

“Mayor Ford is such a polarizing figure. So for the people who hate him, these allegations of drinking too much are just one more reason continue to hate him. The people who love the mayor haven’t been swayed by the negative press in the past, so their opinion is likely to remain unchanged,” says Dr. LaBarge. “The mayor created this persona that he is being persecuted by the left-wing media, so the mayor can claim these latest media reports are just another example of those types of attacks.”

To arrange an interview, please contact communication officers Michael Onesi (office: 613.533.6000 ext. 77513, michael.onesi@queensu.ca) or Anne Craig (office: 613-533-2877, Anne.Craig@queensu.ca) at Queen’s University News and Media Services Department in Kingston, Ont., Canada.

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