Christine T.

🎤🎸🤘🏻🚨 Latest from The Repute: "Crisis Comms Under the Microscope: Dave Grohl’s Approach" 🎤🎸🚨 In this edition, we take a real-time look at how rock legend Dave Grohl is handling the media fallout from his recent infidelity scandal. Using data-driven insights, we break down the New York Times' coverage of Grohl’s crisis communications strategy and analyze what worked—and what didn’t. https://bit.ly/3MIZy76 The analysis explores: - The effectiveness of proactively addressing scandals before they spiral - Why timing didn’t minimize media coverage as others have suggested - The nuanced balance between controlling the narrative and avoiding sensationalism Whether you’re dealing with a major PR issue or simply curious about how the media operates during high-profile scandals, this edition offers valuable lessons for managing your brand’s reputation. Read the full analysis and let me know what you think. I’d love to hear your thoughts! Have a great weekend everyone! Will Valentine Publisher, The Repute Founder and Principal, Valentine Advisors

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This is better than GREAT news! Early Bird pricing was EXTENDED! This is absolutely a MUST ATTEND symposium for, well, anyone! If you are a #communications professional, an #emergencymanager, hold a #leadership position or just simply want to Learn, Grow, Discover, and add some #communication tools into your toolbox... Join Us. I"ll drop a discount code and a registration link in my comments! Should you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to DM me. #emergencymanagement #crisisleadership #crisiscommunication #crisiscommunications

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A useful handbook for quick reference and a reminder to all journalists covering the #US elections to ensure information integrity. This is worth a look. As in absorb this before #election day #journalists #newsroom #misinformation #disinformation https://lnkd.in/g4heDxVP

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This article from Columbia Journalism Review is fascinating, and an argument for the importance of a reputation management communication plan. There are volumes authored by PR pros advising against ignoring reporters inquiries, yet this article documents how frequently it happens. Throughout my career, I can count on one hand the number of times I have made a calculated decision not to respond to a media request, and 99.9% of the time it was after multiple engagements with a reporter who repeatedly misrepresented or distorted information (even if not intentionally). I suspect, more often than not, reporters get ghosted because the brand is caught off guard. They haven't planned how they will respond in a reputation crisis. Or haven't socialized the planned response with stakeholders. If the PR team is haggling with executives and lawyers on what to say or how to say it when the reporters' questions start rolling in, the opportunity to frame the narrative is quickly lost. Thanks for sharing the article Jennifer Johnson Avril! https://lnkd.in/gYmTA9CW

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The topic of corrections comes up a lot in comms. There’s some new research on this that is kind of interesting. Here is an excerpt from an article summarizing the findings: “…people generally trust journalists when they confirm claims to be true but are more distrusting when journalists correct false claims. Some linguistics and social science theories suggest that people intuitively understand social expectations not to be negative. Being disagreeable, like when pointing out someone else’s lie or error, carries with it a risk of backlash. We reasoned that it follows that corrections are held to a different, more critical standard than confirmations. Attempts to debunk can trigger doubts about journalists’ honesty and motives. In other words, if you’re providing a correction, you’re being a bit of a spoilsport, and that could negatively affect how you are viewed.” #mediarelations #psychology #sociology #PR

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The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism annual report out today is - as usual - chocful of really useful data and analysis. In this epic year of more-elections-than-ever, one stat stands out in particular: News avoidance is now hitting an average of 39%. That's a serious challenge. AI, podcasts, social, subscription news vs. free online - yes, these are all interesting dimensions too, but when people are actively tuning out of the news to such an extent, it raises questions: - how much the attention economy (doomscrolling from one insipid frivolous video to another) is actually draining people's energy and focus from the really important things happening in their town, region, country and the wider world? - what is the future of news consumption? even emerging trends such as short clips (on Tik-Tok and LinkedIn) and dedicated deep-dives (on SubStack and the like) don't necessarily point the way to a broad future. - how best to sustain media plurality that also nourishes a varied media diet? Given how geopolitics is likely to get more divisive in the immediate years ahead, media companies really need to work on bringing people (or all generations) back to the news. And we would all do well to discuss the news a bit more with family, friends and colleagues. https://lnkd.in/eqtPUX-6

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I work with journalism and editing (my passions). I used to work more with/in communication (I'm good at it). It looks like the same, but they are definitely NOT the same thing, however, it's not a big jump for a journalist to become an editor (and an editor is a journalist, but not necessarily the other way around) and some adaptation is required for a journalist to work in comms for an NGO, company, etc - the other way around is a bit more difficult, but obviously not impossible. You also have the copywriter and copy editor who have also different set of skills - they focus on content creation for marketing and refining text by correcting grammar, punctuation, and style issues; ensuring factual accuracy respectively. "Oh, but editor and copy editor are the same?" No. The editor supervises the process of creation and refines the draft. His task is to turn a draft into an engaging article so then the copy editor can proofread, check style, etc. But i digress... These jobs are already complicated in themselves, with their own demands, expertise and skills needed, but I just love (please note the irony here) when I see job ads requiring most of if not ALL skills advertised as "communication [officer, expert, add any fancy name here]." Sometimes there's a "communication and [insert here something else that usually makes no sense]" to make it less preposterous, but it doesn't change anything. You have to write, edit, do copy, research... and also you have to master both social media AND image editing! Why hire 5 people to properly do the job (or jobs, they are all different) if you can hire someone to be underpaid to half-ass do it? Sorry, but no one is good at everything and no one should be, because it makes no sense. No one can do all the work or should do all the work of 5 other people, but unfortunately that's not how things work in the EU bubble. Oh, I forgot, employers also expect you to organise meetings, events, and you guessed it right: another completely different set of skills. Sure, there can be overlapping, it's good that they exist and you're capable of doing a bit more - you can write and edit (like I do and I have no complaints there), you can work with comms and also do some social media, etc... But demanding that everyone has all the skills is not just ridiculous, it's offensive. Particularly when the paycheck comes and you see that you're working for 5, but getting paid for LESS than one. I like looking at job ads to see how bad things are and are becoming and I'm never too surprised to see that, well, they are indeed getting worse. Also, not surprising that the same places that love to say they are helping changing the world are the ones changing the lives of their employees - for the worse. Giving them anxiety, stress, impossible workloads and expecting them to be happy while being underpaid. #Job #Work #EUBubble #Journalism #Comms #communication #Editing #Skills #Employment #copywriter #copyeditor #Exploitation

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PR pro-tip: if you do NOT want to be known as someone else’s puppet, then refrain from telling people you are NOT that someone else’s puppet. When the inevitable media publicity comes, guess what impression is made in the public mind? This is a common misconception in communication, the assumption that named denials using the word NOT ‘X’ are somehow effective. More often than not, NOT denials ironically serve to spread and cement the opposite sentiment. https://lnkd.in/eh9DqpfU #leadershipcommunication #publicrelations #mediarelations #comms #pr

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Communications executives need to understand reporter lingo and be capable of translating it for their C-suite and other spokespeople.   “A Reporter’s Glossary: Journalistic Terms of Art” helps fulfill that mission by revealing definitions for a cornucopia of insider journalistic expressions (link to full paper in Comments). The publication sheds light on such jargon as: · The distinctions among clarifications, corrections, and retractions · What to do with an IFB when participating in an SMT · How to accommodate TV reporters who say they need B-roll · Why media training needs to be a comprehensive series of events, not a one-off, check the box situation · The peculiarities of off the record, on background, and not for attribution   My hope is that this resource will make the job of communications and government relations executives just a bit easier. It’s yours for the taking. No subscriptions. No nags. All I ask: If you find it useful, share it with colleagues and support it with a 👉 Comment 👈 here on LinkedIn.   💭 Once you’ve taken a look, don’t be shy about suggesting additional terms of art that might make it into future revisions. #mediarelations #reporters #journalism

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In the world of media and communications, the relationship between journalists and PR professionals is often misunderstood. However, the reality is far more nuanced and symbiotic. Journalists rely on PR folks to provide them with access to newsworthy stories, expert sources, and valuable insights. In turn, PR depends on journalists to amplify their messages and bring attention to their clients or organizations. A recent report by #MuckRack on the "State of Journalism," found that journalists acknowledge PR professionals 70% "as at least moderately important to their success." This mutual dependence highlights the essential role each plays in the dissemination of information to the public. Trust forms the foundation of our collaboration and ensures that the stories that reach the public are credible and impactful. Journalists rely on us to provide accurate and reliable information, while those of us in PR trust journalists to report the news fairly and accurately. Journalists are skilled storytellers who strive to craft compelling narratives that resonate with their audience. PR pros, on the other hand, are adept at identifying and shaping stories that align with our clients' goals and objectives. Together, we work to create stories that inform, engage, and inspire. I encourage you to read the attached report which provides many insights of today's newsrooms. #Journalism #PR #MediaRelations #PublicRelations #NewsMedia #MediaIndustry #JournalismEthics #Storytelling #MediaCollaboration #InformationSharing #MuckRack #StateOfJournalism #PressRelations #MediaPartnership Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Natan Edelsburg

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Donald Trump has again been elected President, and Republicans will have a multi-seat majority in the Senate. A few thoughts about what this means if you’re hoping to get something done (or stopped) in the coming months… PERSONNEL IS POWER. The Trump campaign has been pretty tight-lipped about potential appointments. The battle to get close to the President-elect and jockey for nominations and White House roles will be fierce, but quiet. His close friends, advisors and donors are sharing lists and talking to him about appointments. If you want something done in Washington over the next four years, it’s time to get your allies in the mix with those influencers. THE COUNTING CONTINUES. Enough U.S. House races are ultra-tight that we won’t know control for days. Election lawyers will be rushing into districts with competitive House races. MAD HOUSE. While the votes are being counted, interparty and intraparty bargaining will dominate the House. If it’s a one to three-seat majority for Democrats, they’ll need to monitor and appease any potential party-switchers (from D to R). State legislatures with nearly tied party caucuses regularly see control switch because someone switches parties. On the Republican side, another series of long, harsh leadership battles are a possibility. The most likely way they are resolved? The President-elect will weigh in, further expanding his power. House leadership elections are scheduled for November 13, but might not be finished that day. THE LAME DUCK PERIOD JUST GOT MORE INTERESTING. This will be the last chance for a while for bipartisan agreement on micro-issues like physician fee schedules. NEW MODES OF COMMUNICATION WILL DOMINATE D.C. Supplementing traditional lobbying with smart strategic and digital communications strategies is a must. Reaching potential appointees and influencers in the policy communities where they live and “stopping the scroll” on their devices with persuasive messaging will be key. If you’re considering how to best leverage strategic communications and targeted digital campaigns in the new policy environment, drop me a line. The bipartisan change-makers at Rational 360 will come up with a strategy to help you achieve your policy goals.

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In crisis communication, Timothy Coombs teaches us that addressing issues before they escalate is key, while also outlining response strategies for effective management of crises. One common strategy I see being used by many organizations in crisis is the denial strategy in this case, shifting blame to another party. While I understand the agency's perspective and the need to save face, I believe a more effective approach would have been to first acknowledge the crisis then followed by clarifications. Shifting blame to mitigate damage may not always be a recommended strategy as this can be perceived as defensive or negligent potentially damaging the organization's reputation further. It also diverts attention from addressing the root cause of the crisis.

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🚨 Battling the Bots 🚨 Here’s what some senior leaders are doing to respond to bot-driven social media noise: 1️⃣ Evaluating Bot Influence: Scrutinizing engagement metrics to distinguish between real and artificial activity. 🤖 2️⃣ Providing Context: Educating leadership on the real sphere of influence of viral posts, not just their volume. 📊 3️⃣ Strategizing Responses: Focusing on the sentiments of key stakeholder groups, not the sheer quantity of social mentions. 💬 4️⃣ Monitoring Risks: Considering how shifts in sentiment align with broader corporate or legal strategies, especially around DEI. ⚖️ 💡 But here’s what the most forward-thinking leaders have told me they're doing: 1️⃣ Differentiating Real Impact: Analyzing metrics to identify genuine engagement from key stakeholders. Focusing on where your core audiences (employees, customers, investors) are active. 🎯 2️⃣ Recalibrating Risk Discussions: Shifting focus from short-term reputational hits to long-term risks like litigation or regulatory scrutiny. 🛡️ Using data-driven insights to reveal how bot-driven campaigns often inflate perceived threats. 3️⃣ Framing the Response: Responding to real stakeholders, not the noise. Crafting communication strategies for your most valuable audiences, minimizing reactionary responses to bot-amplified posts. 🎯 4️⃣ Aligning with Corporate Strategy: Positioning DEI and other commitments within broader business objectives. Keeping your core values intact while tracking competitors’ responses and adjusting accordingly. 🏆 #Leadership #CorporateAffairs #ReputationManagement #StakeholderEngagement #AI #StrategicCommunications

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Fewer than one in five members of the Public Relations Society of America have attained APR accreditation. The process emphasizes the strategic acronym RPIE, crucial for effective communication strategies. While the APR designation may be even rarer in sports PR, it doesn't inherently define a great communications professional or leader. Process does. What truly matters is ensuring your comms department prioritizes Research, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation as the foundation of your strategy. By backing your approach with data, you can confidently deliver the right message to the right audience at the right time. 💡 Try / think about this instead: -             Invest dollars and time into secondary and primary research to be able to understand baseline awareness and attitudes of your target audience -             Determine your key audiences first, then set audience-specific objectives that are focused on outcomes (like percent increase of awareness [survey] or requests for more information noting interest/preference [web traffic/conversion] rather than vanity output metrics (like number of press releases issued) -             Leverage meaningful strategies and tactics and make sure your team can articulate the difference between the two. -             Determine what and how you will evaluate the success of your objectives and focus on how you can learn from organizational impact to set-up research for your next campaign. But this won’t happen if you’re jumping straight into tactics, or seeking to measure how many pitches you sent to media or hoping pray-and-spray mass communications efforts equate reaching ‘the general public.’ The goal is to create a repeatable process that drives your business forward, not be an assembly line shop of press releases and outputs that we do because that’s how it’s always been done (even if you’re successfully putting butts in seats). #PR #CommunicationStrategy #DataDrivenCommunications

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I have long preached the benefit of having political communicators on corporate teams. If your in-house comms team or external agency is lacking in political communications veterans, now is the time to add them to the roster. I have many excellent, seasoned communicators in my network if you are looking to add talent. This incoming administration will be fundamentally different than any before it. As a lame duck President with GOP control of both the Senate and House, a conservative SCOTUS, and the hiring of DC outsiders to cabinet roles, the federal Gov't will look and function differently than to what most corporations have built their structure and strategy. From tax and trade to employment, environment, and immigration, corporations are going to need to pivot in a transformed regulatory environment. As they pivot, they will need to communicate internally and externally on the whys and hows to customers, partners, employees and regulators. Whether Capitol Hill, White House, state house, or campaign veterans, these folks know how to interpret, navigate and respond to the machinations of government. Any organization without one of these on their team, will face an uphill battle in what is going to be a wild, fast-paced, and sometimes-illogical overhaul of the government. Let me know if you want some introductions.

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