Articles

The Terri Ammerman Group pairs decades of communications and media experience with relevant, current perspective. We understand the ever-changing needs and scenarios faced by companies, executives, and media professionals. Part of our training involves examining communications scenarios in real-time, so participants can clearly see what to avoid when speaking and what to say when delivering a clear, convincing message. Our team regularly offers perspective and insights on current situations through the articles posted here.

Why You Don’t Answer the Phone When Reporters Call

Why You Don’t Answer the Phone When Reporters Call

It took place shortly after the Deepwater Horizon crisis: engineers at a local university began receiving calls from a reporter asking for their comments on the situation. While the university included a drilling department, the school was not directly related to the incident. So, why were the school’s engineers receiving calls? As it turned out,...

Advice for E-mail Interviews with the News Media

Advice for E-mail Interviews with the News Media

When most of us think of a news media interview, we usually have in mind someone talking to a reporter in person, by phone or in a TV “remote” where reporter and interviewee are in different locations. But another way to interact with the news media is through an e-mail or text message interview. Why Journalists May Request an Email Interview...

Emotion: That Elusive but Necessary Component of a Presentation

Emotion: That Elusive but Necessary Component of a Presentation

Chances are you’ve seen the commercials. More importantly, you probably remember them. We’re talking about St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or ASPCA. In their TV spots both organizations are asking for your financial support. St. Jude does it by showing a number of children...

The Importance of Stage Presence

The Importance of Stage Presence

What goes through your mind when you hear the term “stage presence”? Do you think of standup comedians - Jerry Seinfeld, Dave Chappelle, Robin Williams? Maybe you think of Broadway stars. Or perhaps your mind turns to musicians who know how to command a crowd and put on an incredible show. You’d be right in thinking of these people as having...

After the Crisis: Be Sure to Do the Following

After the Crisis: Be Sure to Do the Following

It’s easy to understand why companies want to move on after a crisis – especially one that was prevented or handled well. They have other work to do. Or, managing the crisis required substantial time, effort and resources, so the last thing the company wants is to revisit the nightmare. But the crisis management process doesn’t end once the problem has been resolved. Here are some best practices to follow when conducting a post-crisis review.

Crafting the Right Media Statement – Which Tool Should You Pull Out of Your Toolbox?

Crafting the Right Media Statement – Which Tool Should You Pull Out of Your Toolbox?

The world of media communication can be intimidating, and not just because speaking to crowds of reporters can be discomforting. For those with limited experience in the industry, there can also be uncertainty when it comes to the various formats of media communications. In this article, we’d like to take the time to remove some of the obscurity from two of those formats: media statements and crisis statements.

Oh No! Have You Seen What’s on YouTube?

Oh No! Have You Seen What’s on YouTube?

Social media are now mainstream in business, and business leaders must understand how these new tools of open, transparent, non-hierarchical, interactive and real-time communication work. Failing to do so makes organizations more susceptible to a viral crisis.

How to Make Your CEO Shine

How to Make Your CEO Shine

In terms of public perception, your CEO often is your company. That means that it’s incredibly important for her to communicate well. Here are six things that you can do to help make sure that she can.

Preparation for an Active Shooter

Preparation for an Active Shooter

It’s necessary to be courageous and realistic in confronting an issue if it happens at your organization. Active shooter crises are devastating and unpredictable events. We can’t predict them – but we need to be prepared for them. While the violent crime rate is dropping nationally, the incidence of mass shooting events has sharply increased in recent years, according to a new study.