Tuesday Tip-Offs

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...

Happy Halloween! This is the one day when it is perfectly acceptable to be downright frightening. The rest of the year, at least when it comes to giving presentations, the last thing you want to do is scare off your audience. Sadly, it happens all the time in both...

I’m just back from the Public Relations Society of America’s annual international conference In Nashville. (Thank you PRSA for inviting me to conduct a media training program.) THE hot topic this year – hotter than the hottest Nashville chicken – was AI. There was...