 Searching for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 off the coast of Australia. (Source: National Geographic) The mystery surrounding the missing Malaysian jetliner has revealed several reminders when it comes to crisis communications. No two crises are ever quite the same, but the problems companies and organization face are often very predictable.
Media want answers The first thing to keep in mind is the media's insatiable curiosity and competitive nature. If reporters sense a good mystery, they want answers, not stonewalling. No amount of wishing the crisis away will help the Malaysian government in this case.
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 You hear a lot of talk about “transparency.” Government officials are particularly fond of the word. So are educators and many corporate executives. But what is it, exactly? And how do you get it?
Well, in general, transparency implies openness, and is strengthened through straightforward communication. It can help approval ratings and brand loyalty. Unless you’re the CIA, it’s usually the right thing to do.  Video must be a major component of any public relations campaign. This article sheds light on what's expected to be an explosion in mobile video viewing in 2013.
What's that mean for companies trying to generate earned media coverage in the coming year? Everything. Here are just a few suggestions:  The Mack team is busy unpacking boxes and moving furniture as we settle in at our new office home in Naperville. We're not all that far from our previous office, so we remain ideally located for quick response to clients in the western suburbs as well as the city of Chicago.
Moving gives us with the opportunity to toss old files, notes and folders from successful projects of the past, so that we can focus on the new challenges of today. We continue to develop new and innovative ways to help our clients tell their story, whether through social media, video or more traditional public relations strategies. We're also doing more media training and coaching. As difficult as any office move can be, we're glad it's almost over, and we look forward to meeting your needs from our new location in the months and years ahead. Let us know how we can help you! Contact us today.  1960 Nixon-Kennedy debate (Chicago Tribune) Tonight's Presidential debate and the two that follow will be critical for President Obama and Governor Romney. Both candidates have an extraordinary opportunity to reach out to undecided and independent voters, especially those in the swing states.
What each one does with that opportunity will be the subject of countless other debates in the media, offices, bars and cafes across the country. Here are five things to keep in mind as you watch or listen to the debates.  If you've ever wondered just what public relations is all about, you're not alone. PR is a bit like taking a Rorschach test; it means different things to different people.
That's why a recent article at Inc.com is helpful in cutting through some of the clutter surrounding the profession. Writer Steve Cody does more than that. He explains why public relations is often more effective than traditional advertising.  More and more of us are getting our news through so-called "incidental exposure." That's the term E-contentmag.com uses to describe how people come across news serendipitously, while they are surfing the web or clicking on links suggested by someone they know.
Consider your own experience when you see a link to a story from a friend or in a Tweet from someone you follow. You weren’t looking for it. You weren’t even on a news site, but you click on the link and, presto, you're now reading or watching the story. The impact from a media relations and public relations perspective is to understand that it's not enough simply to get a story placed with a newspaper or broadcast outlet. That story then needs to be shared with friends and followers who would otherwise never see it. The process might go something like this:  If you're looking to ensure media coverage of your story, look no further than the images reporters and photographers will use when they cover your event. As we at Mack Communications have often said, a picture is worth not a thousand words; it's worth 10,000.
To understand why, consider your own viewing and reading habits. We are all drawn to compelling images. They can help us understand issues. They help capture the emotions of a moment. They simplify what may otherwise be complex. They often get us to click on the accompanying story.  Source: Chicago Tribune The stories involving Republican Presidential candidate Herman Cain concerning allegations of sexual harrassment are falling into a predictable pattern. They also provide a lesson or two on crisis communications.
First, Cain was on the defensive, saying he was falsely accused. Later, in a series of media interviews, Cain offered shifting accounts of what he says happened while he was president of the National Restaurant Association. He also said at first that he knew nothing about any settlements with his two female accusers, then said one of the cases may have been for two or three months' salary.  Source: Washington Post Republican Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney has taken to using a giant "debt clock" during his campaign appearances to draw attention to the nation's growing financial woes.
As he talks with crowds, he gestures at the clock (built by Romney aides) and refers to the nation's debt problem with statements such as, “If I’m president of the United States, Mr. President, I’ll do a better job slowing down that clock and hopefully getting it to start reversing and getting Americans back to work.” |