If you can’t say something intelligent, don’t say anything at all. It’s crucial to think before you speak, especially when speaking to the media. The purpose of an interview should be to advance your product, company or cause. In short, to lead the interview in a direction that is advantageous. In a recent interview with the UK’s Evening Standard, Tinder CEO Sean Rad, …
Don’t Shoot the Messenger
Taking artistic license with Marshall McLuhan’s edict: the medium is the message, consider that the media is the messenger. Media coverage is designed to convey a subject’s agenda, thoughts and opinions. Donald Trump was unaware of how to use the media to his advantage when he took broadcast journalist Anderson Cooper to task after his questioning of Hilary Clinton during a recent …
Tell it like it is
Google defines can·dorˈ kandər/ a noun as: the quality of being open and honest in expression; frankness. ”a man of refreshing candor” synonymous with frankness, openness, honesty, truthfulness, sincerity, forthrightness, directness, plain-spokenness, bluntness, straightforwardness, outspokenness; informal … telling it like it is Candor is one of READY FOR MEDIA’s C’s of Communication, along with Clarity, Conciseness and Credibility. Taking the initiative to come clean about an …
Not what you say, but where you say it!
“BREAKING NEWS: Unconfirmed reports are coming in of an explosion on the North bank of the Singapore Marina. City Authorities urge the public not to panic, and to not hinder the emergency teams that are converging on the area. UPDATE: Singapore Authorities have officially announced a state of emergency and declared martial law.” US game maker, Activision, published this announcement …
A Condescending Exit
The Negative Inference. That’s what Oscar-winning actor Robert DeNiro objected to in a recent interview, promoting his new comedy, The Intern. With repeated negative inferences to Mr. De Niro, the interviewer exacerbated the tension, hoping to get more of a response than the actor’s trademark monosyllabic replies. And she did! It’s a technique reporters and interviewers often use to bait or …
Republicans as Terrorists?
With the ninety-fifth anniversary of women gaining the right to vote, Hillary Clinton addressed the subject of women’s equality, by comparing her Republican opponents to terrorists. Ms. Clinton said, “Now, extreme views about women, we expect that from some of the terrorist groups, we expect that from people who don’t want to live in the modern world, but it’s a …
It’s Not Delivery, it’s Insensitivity
In social media, as in any public relations, the goal is to create positive public awareness for your product or brand. Unfortunately, DiGiorno’s social media department embarrassed themselves and their company and ended up eating humble pizza pie. The food company set a perfect example of what not to do when managing a social media account. During Ray Rice’s suspension …
A Picture’s Worth a Thousand Words
Model-turned-actress-turned sourpuss, Cara Delevingne, recently flunked an interview on”Good Day Sacramento,” as she promoted her new movie, Paper Towns. The interview had a rough start as one of the hosts introduced her as “Carla.” Her reaction was a scowl and she never fully recovered. At first, she tried to answer their questions with sarcastic humor, but as the interviewers pressed …
A Winner in our Hearts
One of the youngest professional golfers at this summer’s British Open, 22-year-old Jordan Spieth, ended his chances of winning all four major titles in a single year by finishing one stroke behind Zach Johnson. However, with a handshake and a hug, Mr. Spieth was the first to walk over and congratulate Mr. Johnson on his win. Fans across the …
Trump Gets Dumped
“You’re fired!” became the rallying cry of Donald Trump’s legendary NBC reality TV show, “The Apprentice.” The billionaire presidential candidate has now been fired himself from many partnerships after a recent speech. “When Mexico sends its people, they aren’t sending their best,” Mr. Trump stated, “They’re bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime, they’re rapists, and some, I assume, are good people. …