Tuesday Tip-Offs

I recently caught an episode of Entrepreneur’s “Elevator Pitch” show on the Cheddar channel. Contestants ride an elevator for 60 seconds while pitching their ideas to investors watching remotely in a studio boardroom. Those with persuasive pitches are invited off the...

Great news! Your organization’s PR team just booked an interview with a major media outlet. Now it’s time to prep your spokesperson. Conducting a winning interview is an art – there are key messages to communicate, difficult questions to navigate and, of course,...

A spokesperson’s job is to TELL a story not BECOME the story. Standing in front of a media gaggle is rarely easy, even for the most experienced pros. When the questions become difficult or hostile, the stage is set for trouble. Things can go south very quickly and...

This past weekend I attended a memorial service for Bill Brand, the beloved and highly respected former Redondo Beach, California mayor. He worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life in our seaside city. Whenever there was a goliath at the gate, Bill, his army...

In almost every media interview or live audience presentation, you are likely to get hit with a question you can’t or don’t want to answer. There’s a right way and a wrong way to manage the challenge. First, the wrong way: the “pivot.” Washington politicians use it...

Where to Look During TV Interviews? That’s one of the most common questions I get in media training programs. It’s an important one because good eye contact communicates you are comfortable, confident and trustworthy. On the other hand, shifty eyes suggest you are...

Being dragged into any political firestorm offers little potential for upside. When the controversy is as volatile as the Israel-Hamas war, you are likely faced with a no-win conundrum. Controlling the damage may be the best you can hope for; you certainly don’t want...

Hilton recently announced the results of a global survey that found nearly three-quarters of event goers prefer in-person meetings over virtual ones. Right on, team! Zoom and other conference platforms can be great tools, assuming they are used strategically and...

Hey team - Greetings from Hollywood! I’m here preparing a client for a media event. While driving by all the famous studios I was reminded of how important storytelling is in communications and PR. News articles, presentations and social media posts are all stories –...

When I was TV reporter, nothing was worse than conducting interviews with people who didn’t get to the point. I’d be rolling tape for what seemed like forever, hoping I might eventually get a usable soundbite. Too often, businesspeople make reporters climb a tall...