
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.
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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?