Media Monday: Are You Ready?
This Monday was a media feast as cable news networks had “breaking news” segments seemingly every hour. At least three major news stories had viewers glued: 1- A fourth woman named in the Herman Cain sexual harassment scandal held a live press conference in New York and revealed details of inappropriate sexual conduct she received from Cain (She did this with noted women’s rights attorney and pit bull Gloria Allred at her side). 2- Penn State University spokespersons scrambled to address child sex abuse allegations against a former assistant football coach and deal with those who allegedly knew about the incidents and did not intervene. 3- A “guilty of involuntary manslaughter” verdict was rendered to Dr. Conrad Murray in the five-week long trial for drug overdose death of Michael Jackson.
Monday’s breaking headlines continually remind us that crises are potentially certain, and your message, response and strategy for successfully moving through also needs to be certain. Incidentally, Cain and his team were sucker-punched the Monday before when the initial story broke of sexual harassment allegations against him. So is PR still necessary? Obviously so. Social media has its role but there is no replacement for the effective, ethical, prepared and seasoned communicator to manage media events. Even with a sunny forecast, rain can sneak in and interrupt our plans. Are you armed with your umbrella to calmly face whatever the day brings? Or will you be running in your good suit, looking foolish, drenched and seeking cover? Be ready for the crisis.
This November 3, 2011 article “10 Reasons PR Still Matters” by Doug Flora of Morristown Communications, reminds us that the media is always chomping at the bit for a good crisis. How long that story remains a “crisis” is up to you.
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