You may not be able to get out in front of a viral video, but you can mitigate the damage. United Airlines made it worse.
When an Airline’s PR Strategy Crashes and Burns
Can I Talk to You Off the Record?
“Off the Record.” “On Background.” What’s the difference? What’s the problem?
The Enemy Strikes Back
They’ve been called “the enemy” and their work has been dismissed as “fake news.” Now, it appears, the media has had enough. But should they actually be thanking the president?
Donald Trump Ruined My Clip
Donald Trump has moved world markets and shifted political currents. And now, he has even impacted our media training.
A Tough Interview out of Oakland
This one is hard to watch. And given the tragic context in which this interview took place (the deadly Oakland warehouse fire), it seems trite to use the term “Media Disaster.” But suffice it to say this was an interview that probably shouldn’t have happened.
Ill-Prepared in the ‘No Spin Zone.’
I realize I’m treading into dangerous waters here. In this unbelievably contentious election season, it is probably wishful thinking to assume that I can deliver an edition of Media’s Masters and Disasters featuring controversy over Donald Trump, Bill O’Reilly, and the Fox News Channel without ruffling some reader feathers. But I shall try. The media …
When the Media Trainer is the Disaster
Media trainers and consultants pride themselves on helping their clients navigate the treacherous waters of crisis communications. How ironic when the PR specialist creates the crisis. While it may seem politically incorrect to designate a fellow media trainer as a Media Disaster, it should be noted that the individual in this case, Merrie Spaeth, has …
Donald Trump: Media Master or Disaster?
Is Donald Trump breaking all the rules of media training, or redefining them? Whatever you think of his media style, don’t try to emulate it.
McDonald’s Manager: An Egg McMuffin with a Side of Bad PR
Nothing screams Media Disaster louder than the old “hand over the camera lens” routine. It is a regrettable, counterproductive technique popularized by shady politicians, overzealous –and under-experienced– PR reps, and now, a McDonald’s store manager. And what was the camera crew’s transgression? Were they uncovering the secret ingredients of the Secret Sauce? Exposing what really …
Cara Delevingne Does Not Approve of Your Shenanigans
This edition of Media’s Masters and Disasters features a petulant interviewee showing great disdain for the media, and it is not Donald Trump. You’re welcome. Instead I call your attention to a young English fashion model/singer/actress by the name of Cara Delevingne, whose shenanigan tolerance seemed to be running dangerously low during a satellite interview …
The TV Station Boss Vs. The YouTube Cop
After his officers are accused of wrongdoing, a police chief goes viral instead of going to the media.
Brian Williams’ Walter Mitty Moment
It’s not uncommon to see media disasters on the network news. But what happens when the anchor is the cause?
Brian Williams can’t seem to remember the rather important details of his time spent in a war zone. The result could be devastating for his network, not to mention his career.
Bill Cosby vs. The AP
Bill Cosby has learned the hard way that there is no way to say “no comment” retroactively.
Even Secretaries of State Forget the Rules Sometimes
Every camera is live, every microphone is hot.
It’s a lesson that inexperienced newsmakers and young broadcasters often have to learn the hard way (yours truly was, unfortunately, no exception).
But what excuse is there when a career politician and current Secretary of State forgets (or disregards) this very basic rule?
When the Media is the Disaster
In covering the story of a missing jetliner, CNN loses its own way
