Media's Masters & Disasters

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?

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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.

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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 …Keep reading

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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 …Keep reading

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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 …Keep reading

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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 …Keep reading

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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.

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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?

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Media's Masters & Disasters