Articles

Conducting a news briefing in the midst of a deadly tragedy is never an easy thing to do. It takes preparation and a laser-like focus to deliver key messages without getting sidetracked. So, if you’re holding a news briefing and something unexpected occurs, it may take all the poise you can muster to maintain control and move forward. This...

In any interaction with the media, your goal is to have control from beginning to end. You begin the encounter armed with key messages. You deliver them with confidence while not allowing reporters to derail you with off-topic questions. And, in the case of a news briefing, when you politely but firmly end the event, walk away without allowing...

Why do Americans tend to distrust politicians? In part it’s because politicians tend to ignore questions during an interview and, instead, turn to prearranged talking points without even acknowledging the questions. Or they intentionally muddle their answers in such a way that frustrates the audience and leaves them wondering what the politician...

It never ceases to amaze us when an experienced public figure, accustomed to being surrounded by the media, falls into the hot microphone trap. It happens often, usually to the detriment of the person who seems unaware his or her voice is being picked up by a hot mic. In this latest case, President Biden engages in a conversation with the Mayor...

Does your company want to have a positive influence on your community? If there’s a crisis involving your firm or organization, do you want those impacted to have confidence you have the right people, doing the right things, at the right time? Of course, you do! But establishing that reliable reputation doesn’t just happen. In short, you have to...

So, you are preparing for a crisis news briefing or a public meeting in which you expect emotions to run high. You have developed key messages that you believe will inform the media or calm angry residents who are unhappy with your company. But before getting a chance to deliver your messages, you make a mistake that ensures your news briefing or...

In private conversations, most of us tend to speak freely, often expressing our personal opinions on a variety of topics. But if you are a spokesperson for a company, government entity, trade or industry association, your personal opinions should take a back seat to the public positions of the organization you’re representing during a media...

There is nothing more important in your quiver of effective communications tools than the bridge. It’s a verbal device that allows you to acknowledge or address a question you don’t want to answer and transition to a key message that you want to deliver. It appears White House economic advisor Jared Bernstein had already built his “bridge” in...

When preparing for a media interview, you try to anticipate questions and develop answers to them. Of course, you want those answers to contain key messages that are memorable and relevant. One of the most effective ways to accomplish this is to incorporate a personal story into your answers. We found a perfect example of this in an interview...

It doesn’t happen often but every once in a while we see such a powerful example of compelling communication that we need to add no words or analysis. Actor Matthew McConaughey delivered such a message from the White House briefing room this week on the Uvalde school shooting. Uvalde is McConaughey’s hometown and the massacre of 19 children and...