Media Training Tips: Walk a mile in someone else’s shoes

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Empathy is key to reaching your target audience Have you ever tried to resolve an argument with a loved one without acknowledging their feelings first? Have you ever started apologizing, only to be told, “That’s not even what upset me in the first place!”? Doesn’t work too well, right? Despite all …

Why your official spokesperson isn’t the only one who needs media training

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Is a lack of preparedness for media interest leaving you vulnerable to crisis? So you have an official spokesperson and they’re media trained to the point that they’d get your message across no matter what the situation. That’s a valuable asset to be sure. But, are they the only one …

More Politicians Run Afoul of the Hot Mic

Erik Bernstein Crisis Prevention, media training Leave a Comment

Busted by a boom Hot on the heels of British Prime Minister David Cameron’s mic slip comes another politician stepping in it. Quipping back and forth with his fellow Australian, PM Tony Abbot, Immigration Minister Peter Dutton cracked wise about the very real fear mounting among Pacific Islanders of rising …

The State of the Media

Jonathan and Erik Bernstein crisis management, crisis public relations, Erik Bernstein, Jonathan Bernstein, media crisis management, media relations, media training, public relations, reputation management Leave a Comment

Staying on top of changes in media is a must Knowing how to work and optimize contact with the  media is crucial in any type of public relations. This isn’t like riding a bike, however. You need to constantly be educating yourself on the latest changes if you want to …

Ferguson Chief’s Crisis Management Comes Late

Jonathan Bernstein communications, crisis communication, crisis communications, crisis management, crisis public relations, Crisis Response, Erik Bernstein, Jonathan Bernstein, law enforcement crisis management, media relations, media training, public relations, reputation management 3 Comments

Is this a sign of hope for resolution, or just smooth PR? The handling of Michael Brown’s death in Ferguson, Missouri has been characterized by poor communication, over-reaction, and the creation of an “us vs. them” attitude. Today, in a move that comes far too late but also sparks hope …

Crisis Management Quotables…on Showing Through

Erik Bernstein crisis communications, crisis management, crisis management quotables, Crisis Prevention, crisis public relations, Erik Bernstein, Jonathan Bernstein, media consultant, media training, PR, public relations, reputation management Leave a Comment

150 year-old wisdom that still applies today Ralph Waldo Emerson was a legendary speaker, essayist and poet who, perhaps not surprisingly for a man who published dozens of groundbreaking essays and delivered thousands of lectures, has a long list of quotes that have survived the nearly 150 years since his …

Crisis Management Quotables…on How You Say It

Jonathan Bernstein crisis communications, crisis management, crisis management quotables, crisis public relations, Erik Bernstein, Jonathan Bernstein, media training, PR, public relations, reputation management Leave a Comment

The way it’s delivered can make or break any communication What was it about the ancient world that led to so many great insights into human nature? We’d venture that it had a great deal to do with the fact that there were no glossy ads, TV broadcasts, Twitter campaigns …

Crisis Management Quotables…on Body Language

Erik Bernstein crisis communications, crisis management, crisis management quotables, crisis public relations, Erik Bernstein, Jonathan Bernstein, media crisis management, media relations, media training, PR, public relations, reputation management Leave a Comment

Your voice isn’t the only thing that speaks when it comes to crisis communications While the words you choose certainly do matter when it comes to crisis communication, the way you hold yourself, your facial expressions, appearance, even what color tie you choose, all make a drastic difference in how …

Lululemon’s CEO: The Nightmare Spokesperson

Erik Bernstein crisis communications, crisis management, Crisis Prevention, crisis public relations, Crisis Response, Erik Bernstein, Jonathan Bernstein, media crisis management, media relations, media training, public relations, reputation management 1 Comment

We don’t envy the crisis management team in this case Some people simply should not act as spokesperson for your organization. Unfortunately, when that person is your CEO, dissuading them from granting interviews may be difficult at best. Lululemon’s CEO Chip Wilson landed his company, which is still in recovery …

2Day FM Chairman’s Crisis Communications Fail

Jonathan Bernstein crisis communications, crisis management, Crisis Prevention, crisis public relations, Crisis Response, Erik Bernstein, international crisis management, Jonathan Bernstein, media training, PR, public relations, reputation management Leave a Comment

[Editor’s note: Thank you to our friend and colleague, Issue Outcomes’ Tony Jaques for bringing this story that’s burning up the headlines overseas to our attention.] “Shit happens” should not be in your vocabulary when it comes to crisis communication The chairman of a large firm should, in theory, be …

Crisis Management Musts: Media Trained Leadership

Erik Bernstein crisis communication, crisis communications, crisis management, Crisis Prevention, crisis public relations, Crisis Response, Erik Bernstein, Jonathan Bernstein, media crisis management, media relations, media training, PR, public relations, reputation management, school crisis management, strategic reputation management Leave a Comment

If you’re not ready to be the face of your organization, don’t take the helm When you’re the face of your organization, you need to understand how to interact with the media. It doesn’t matter if you’re CEO of a corporation, captain of a football team, or, as in the …

Foot (Paw?) in Mouth Crisis Management from Chinese Zoo

Erik Bernstein crisis communications, crisis management, Crisis Prevention, crisis public relations, Crisis Response, Erik Bernstein, Jonathan Bernstein, media training, public relations, reputation management Leave a Comment

Don’t make this major crisis management mistake A Chinese zoo has been accused of attempting to fool visitors by placing various not-so-exotic animals in cages marked for wild animals. In the most egregious offense, a Tibetan mastiff was passed off as a lion…at least until it began to bark. CNN …

Weiner’s Comms Director Curses Her Boss’ Cursed Campaign

Erik Bernstein crisis communications, crisis management, Crisis Prevention, crisis public relations, Crisis Response, Erik Bernstein, Jonathan Bernstein, media training, PR, public relations, reputation management Leave a Comment

Unfortunately for Weiner, no crisis management pro in his/her right mind is going near this case At this point, Anthony Weiner’s mayoral campaign has gone so far off the rails that we’ve begun to question whether it’s somehow been taken over by the producers of Saturday Night Live or The …

Vigilante Tweeting – Guest Post from Brad Phillips, Mr. Media Training

Erik Bernstein crisis management, Crisis Prevention, media training, online reputation management, reputation management, social media, Twitter Leave a Comment

[Editor’s Note: We’re pleased to bring you this guest blog post from one of our more prolific “virtual friends,” Brad Phillips.  Not only does he discuss a very important new aspect of information security and crisis prevention, but he also coins a term that I think will become an industry …