Denise Elliott

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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As America's leading media expert, Michael Levine offers a thoughtful perspective on Ulrike Grunewald's comments about the ongoing challenges faced by the British royal family in the wake of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's departure from royal duties. "The tension between tradition and modernity has always been a delicate balancing act for the royal family," Levine stated. "Grunewald's observation underscores a fundamental truth about institutional reputation: the most damaging blows often come from within. When prominent figures in an organization—or a monarchy—air grievances publicly, it creates a narrative vacuum filled with controversy, speculation, and often irreversible harm." Levine continued, "The late Queen's insistence that one cannot be 'half in and half out' reflects her unmatched understanding of institutional integrity. A monarchy thrives on continuity, clarity, and commitment. Any deviation from these principles risks undermining its stability." Levine concluded, "This situation reveals the challenges of maintaining a centuries-old institution in a rapidly changing world and the power of storytelling in shaping public perception. Meghan and Harry's narrative is about personal freedom. For the royal family, it's about survival. How these two stories coexist—or clash—will define the monarchy's future." www.BoundlessMediaUSA.com

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A few thoughts in O'Dwyer's Public Relations News on one of DLPR's media relations strategies and how to handle delicate situations.

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For crisis communications and media professionals: How do you navigate advising clients or upper management when they opt for crisis spin messaging over addressing the actual root cause of the crisis? 🤔 We've witnessed various scenarios where organizations either successfully managed this approach or faced challenges. From President Biden's health concerns to NYC Mayor Adam's scandals, and companies like Boeing, Meta, Nike, Tesla, Samsung, and the Secret Service-the importance of handling crises transparently cannot be overstated, especially if you want to maintain your credibility, brand, customers, clients and stakeholders.📰💼 #CrisisCommunications #MediaPros #PublicRelations #Transparency #CrisisManagement

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If you follow me, you’ve seen my posts bragging about generating breakthrough media coverage. No doubt, it’s important. But just as important is counseling clients on how to dominate the discussion. How to set agendas and own dialogues. How to be the thought leader that customers, partners, reporters, analysts, investors, scholars and government officials turn to, to understand the zeitgeist of key publics and key industries. I wrote about ARM yesterday - that’s what we did with them. Challenged them to own mobile, and later data centers. To dare to be the dominant voice to set an industry agenda. That’s not a one-off. With every client served, that’s the nexus of the campaigns we lead - understand your strength and put it to work. If you want this kind counsel and the resulting dominance that comes with it, I’d love to talk.

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I've shared a lot on double negative voters — those who dislike Biden and Trump and could prove decisive in the 2024 election. Recent reporting from The New York Times adds compelling evidence of their impact, showing that across key battleground states, Biden has lost support from 14% of respondents who supported him in 2020 — voters who now say they will support Trump, a third-party candidate, are undecided or won’t vote. While acknowledging abortion rights and preserving democracy as priorities, Biden defectors cited inflation, immigration and foreign policy concerns as motivating factors. Moreover, nearly 75% viewed the economy as poor and want fundamental change. Biden defectors also skewed younger and Hispanic — two historically Democratic groups that are shifting somewhat Right. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gXb8sY4j

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Election turbulence is a threat to marketers during these perilous and polarized times. Here are nine ways brand managers and communicators can protect budgets, avoid scams and reach customers in a noisy and cluttered market.

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As #PR pros, we often draw inspiration from unconventional places. Not only am I a 20-year PR vet, but I'm also a trained singer and a lifelong musical fangirl. So, with all the buzz surrounding the upcoming movie musical, it got me thinking—few stories capture the power of #storytelling, #authenticity and #reputation like "Wicked." Would love to hear your thoughts. What lessons do you think "Wicked" offers? Let's discuss! (h/t PRNEWS) #PRInsights #ThoughtLeadership #Wicked #WickedMovie Check it out👇

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According to PR Newswire's latest 'State of the Press Release' report, 74% of journalists still want to receive press releases—I guess that's good news for us. Is it true? 🎯 What caught my eye: Action verbs in press release titles matter. "Announce," "Acquire," and "Launch" in headlines are the top performers for views. Also, timing is still critical. Tuesday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., is when news readers are most engaged. One thing is for sure, it’s still essential to make every release count. #PR #MediaRelations #PressReleases #Journalism #PRAgency #CommunicationStrategy

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This year's U.S. Book Show was buzzing with energy and insight, making it clear that the pulse of the publishing world is stronger than ever. As we are always in the mindset of “sharing is caring,” here is some knowledge the Smith team and I gained from the event: 🎙️ Panel Insights:  From our industry friends at Amplify Publishing Group and Forefront Books to new connections like Mia Orlandella from Penguin Random House, the discussions were rich and varied. A standout moment was the Young Publishing Forum, where the focus was on "emerging publishers" rather than "young" ones, emphasizing the rapid professional growth in this field and the value of mentorship and community. 🤖 AI and Publishing:  During the CEO roundtable, AI’s role in publishing was a major topic. It was fascinating to hear perspectives on AI as an "intelligent assistant"—a tool that augments rather than replaces the human creativity, empathy, and intuition essential to forward-looking innovation. 📈 Trend Shifts in Book Selling:  The dynamics of book distribution are flipping. It’s no longer just about what bookstores will accept from publishers, but strategically thinking about which books are pushed to major retailers like Barnes & Noble, Inc. or newer platforms like Bookshop.org. This strategic distribution reflects a deeper niche targeting approach. 📘 Digital and Libraries Evolving Together:  Discussions around digital book buying, especially in educational sectors, highlighted the evolving role of libraries. They're not just physical spaces but are adapting to digital demands with tools like social media and virtual book clubs, enhancing access and engagement. We left feeling a profound sense of community and dedication across the board, from protecting authors' interests to celebrating the human touch in our tech-driven world. The Publishers Weekly U.S. Book Show wasn't just about books; it was a testament to the passionate individuals behind them, restoring our faith in humanity one page at a time. If you want to take a deep dive into more knowledge and actionable takeaways from the event, Olivia Whitlock McCoy and I recorded a special episode of the Smith Publicity, Inc. All Things Book Marketing Podcast. Check out our insightful episode here: https://bit.ly/3KlxSUD. #Marketing #Publishing #Author #Books #Leadership

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When it comes to a crisis, a company's success lies directly in its effective communication process. One of the biggest mistakes a company can make is not having a PR team or open lines of communication. This article provides good examples of what to and what not to do during a crisis.

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For this podcast, the Confident Retirement, there's a twist: I was the one interviewed, not the one asking the questions. (I like it better the other way - but that was fun - thanks for inviting me on, Kristopher Flammang CRPC®AIF®BFA®) Oh - and I'm not retiring :) Some of the things we talked about: * My early journalism career change to being a juvenile probation office for three years; • Why and how the Business Observer has made a transtions to #digitalfirst — and why we keep the focus on that; and • The lessons I've learned from interviewing hundreds of entrepreneurs ands business owners Take a listen!

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Misinformation and disinformation, the threat of deepfakes, the rise of AI, dwindling workforces and resources - are converging trends undermining the quality of and trust in the media? Have a read of this excellent piece by Tom Harper, APCO European head of media and former Sunday Times journalist, in POLITICO today.

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MSR Communications celebrates its 25th anniversary with an infographic that looks back on what’s changed in the last four years—from the pandemic to shifting consumer behavior and a greater emphasis on authenticity and combatting misinformation; PR pros have much to navigate. Looking to the future, we must be agile and strategic, leveraging a mix of secured media coverage and integrated activities from all media types to tell compelling stories that connect with consumers and prospective buyers on a much deeper level.  Full infographic here https://bit.ly/3ZoQfPv #PR #PublicRelations

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