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 …
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 …
A Swift Kick at Apple
“We don’t ask you for free iPhones. Please don’t ask us to provide you with our music for no compensation,” wrote Taylor Swift in an open love letter to Apple. In it, she gave the same reasoning that caused her earlier departure from Spotify, the subscription streaming music service Apple is cloning. The singer decided to keep her 1989 album …
When it’s Wrong to be Right
The best intentions can still backfire in the media game. In an attempt to address the issue of race relations, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz faced an immediate and intense social media backlash to his “Race Together” campaign. “Our objective from the very start — dating back to our first open forum in Seattle last December — was to stimulate conversation, …
Be True to Yourself
Candor is one of the C’s of Communication preached at READY FOR MEDIA, along with Credibility, Compassion and Charisma. All were at play when Ellen DeGeneres was true to herself in responding (below) to an article written by a pastor accusing the TV host of promoting a ‘Gay Agenda’ on her show and influencing her young, female viewers to turn …
An Unaffordable Media Act
What began as an off-the-cuff comment made during a college lecture by Economics Professor Dr. Jonathan Gruber of MIT quickly became a nightmare as it exploded into a full-blown media frenzy. A video recording of his lecture went viral, then became a national news story and rallying cry for Obamacare opponents. Credited as the “architect” of Presidents Obama’s Affordable Care …
Mexican Uprising
Not since British Petroleum’s CEO Tony Hayward muttered “I’d like my life back” after 11 workers lost their lives in a BP oil rig explosion has an aside caused such international outrage. “Ya me canse” (I’ve had enough/I’m tired of this) complained Mexico’s attorney general as he abruptly ended a press conference in which he was repeatedly questioned about the …
What Not to Wear on TV
After beating the Baltimore Orioles in Game 3 of the American League Championship, putting Kansas City on the brink of the World Series, Royals pitcher Jeremy Guthrie created a firestorm of protest without saying a word. Playing off Chris Brown’s rap song “Loyal,” Mr. Guthrie wore a T-shirt to the post-game press conference that read “These O’s Ain’t Royal.” Not …