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.
A Bridge is Essential Infrastructure for Great Communicators
Outstanding communicators have one thing in common: they know how to deliver their messages in the face of tough or unexpected questions. They understand how to bridge from a question they can’t or don’t want to answer to a key message without hesitation. We teach this concept in our seminars with the help of a 2012 video From the Archives. A...
Compassion Comes First in a Crisis
For decades we have preached the need to project sincere compassion first and foremost in the initial stages of a crisis. We use videos to illustrate our belief that a spokesperson who displays empathy serves a company well as a disaster unfolds. We have many examples that have held up to the passage of time, including a 2005 video From the...
The Blame Game Still Haunts BP
We have been gathering video clips and using them in our media training and crisis spokesperson seminars for decades. Our clients continue to learn from them. So, for the next few weeks, let’s dig into our training history with some videos From the Archives. The Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill in 2010 was a heartbreaking tragedy for...
Reporters Smell a Rat When Baseball Player Lies
Is it ever okay to lie to the media? Nope. It’s never a good look, especially when the truth inevitably comes out. Case in point is New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor’s explanation of why many of his teammates suddenly ran into the tunnel between the dugout and the locker room during a game. After the game, Lindor claimed to a skeptical...
Top Cop Leads with Credibility and Compassion
A shooting in Austin, Texas last weekend left 14 people wounded. It also left the community shaken and looking for leadership. Residents found it in Interim Police Chief Joseph Chacon. Soon after the shooting, Chacon held a news briefing and continued to speak often to the community through the media. In the following clip, he was especially...
Allow Me to Interrupt This News Conference to Hug a Friend!
When holding a news conference, the rule of thumb is to avoid distractions and stay focused on your message. Most rules, of course, have exceptions. We found one when Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo talked with the media about his decision to resign and become the top cop in Miami. He was emotional at times as he praised his department’s...
Winning the Interruption Tug-of-War
Reporters love to interrupt someone who is in the middle of delivering a key message. Interruptions give control of the interview to the reporter and they really like that. If you are being questioned by a reporter, it’s your job to not let interruptions happen because you want to be in control of the interview. Virginia Senator Mark Warner...
The Four C’s of Presentations: Connection
In our series on the Four C’s of Presentations, Terri discusses the importance of creating connection: Connection is more than just being likable and engaging. While you should certainly strive for both of those elements, connection is about helping your audience feel like you are as invested in them as you are in the content you are presenting....
The Four C’s of Presentations: Credibility
In our series on the Four C's of Presentations, Terri discusses the importance of establishing credibility: If you cannot bring credibility into your presentations, you will struggle to motivate your listeners to take you or your message seriously. Don't hold yourself back from becoming the best presenter you can be. You will never be able to...
He’s Not the Grinch, but He Admits to Stealing Christmas!
It is every communicator’s desire to deliver a memorable statement that dominates water cooler chat the next day. With passion and authority, Premier Brian Pallister of Manitoba, Canada accomplished that by pushing COVID-19 restrictions during the holidays. His blunt, no-holds-barred, statement isn’t full of Christmas cheer. And, he makes it...