This picture is from a news conference in which a police department announced an arrest in a murder investigation. The room included some reporters but what stood out were the photographers without reporters. Weeks later, while covering a stranger danger incident, you could see a TV photographer on a sidewalk trying to interview students by
PR Pros Working with Media Minus One Read More »
A New York publicist mails a client’s book to a reporter across the country. The package includes a slick brochure. The reporter recognizes the publicist’s name but doesn’t recall her giving him a heads up the book was on its way. He flips through the book, stops momentarily to check out some bullet points on
Judging a PR Pro by a Cover Read More »
A company makes a major change to its daily business operations but doesn’t let its employees know about it ahead of time. What does not saying anything actually say to employees? Lots. It tells employees they are not important enough to “bother” with – just shut up and do your job! Management’s let-them-eat-cake attitude acts
In the Winds of Change, Don’t Let the Rumor Windmill Spin Out of Control Read More »
Someone in PR pitches what she describes as a national story to a reporter. The reporter gets “first dibs.” In the first paragraph, she explains why the story is relevant to the reporter’s city. She acknowledges a local journal already published the story and sends him a link to it. She lists video and interview
Met online on at jobs website – seemed like a perfect match. Intense courtship (recruitment). Popped the question (the offer). Signed a prenup (acceptance letter, confidentiality agreement, new hire paperwork). Went on honeymoon (new hire orientation). Started to feel out of touch (didn’t feel appreciated; tried to meet unreasonable expectations; didn’t know important information). Tried
Employee Engagement or Whirlwind Romance? Read More »
My mother-in-law, a freelance journalist and journalism teacher (most recently at Arizona State University), has never felt totally comfortable with modern TV news. She reminisces of the Cronkite days when the meaning of objectivity was not debatable. Today’s walking and talking reporters and blurred line between journalism and opinionated TV talk shows make her shake
More time for your clients on TV! Read More »
A PR executive emails a reporter, asking if he is aware of a dispute between a city manager and city employees. People have been laid off. Questions are being raised about financial decisions. Public safety might be at risk. The PR pro sends along a press release and says she can put the reporter in touch with the right
Getting To First Base PR Style Read More »
Persuading the media to cover your client shouldn’t be like throwing darts and hoping one sticks. Decide what type of coverage you want. Do you want a general assignment (GA) reporter? Your exposure may be brief, but it will air that very day. That’s good news for a time sensitive event. And with GA stories,
Choose a reporter wisely Read More »
I’m posting a blog the other day. That’s tricky business when a good night’s sleep is only a dream. When you’re tired, catching typos and extra spaces is not a sure thing. While posting, my three year old is on repeat mode, saying over and over she wants help building a tower with blocks. My
I’m building both a business and a tower Read More »
Someone in PR sends a reporter an email pitch and the subject includes this: “Please take my pitches!!!” The email includes phrases such as: “THIS IS HUGE FOR ME PLEASE?” and “THIS IS A HUGE CLIENT, TOO!! PLEASE?!!!!” The email includes the word “please” eight times. This is not unheard of. Someone on a local
I Love It When You Beg Read More »
