Katie Couric

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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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SWIFT IMPACT: POP SUPERSTAR'S ENDORSEMENT MAY BACKFIRE, SAYS LEADING U.S. MEDIA EXPERT Michael Levine Cites Poll Showing Taylor Swift's Support for Harris-Walz Ticket Turning More Voters Away Than It Attracts According to leading U.S. media expert and best-selling author Michael Levine, Taylor Swift's recent endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz might not be the vote-swaying move some expected. It could be driving more voters away than pulling them in. A new YouGov post-debate poll released on Saturday reveals that while 8% of voters said Swift's endorsement makes them "somewhat" or "much more likely" to vote for Harris and Walz, a staggering 20% said they are "somewhat" or "much less likely" to vote for the Democratic ticket now that Swift has thrown her weight behind it. A majority of 66% reported that Swift's endorsement will not influence their vote in November. Swift, a Grammy-winning artist with a massive social media following of 283 million, clarified her position shortly after the recent debate, stating, "I've done my research, and I've made my choice," in an Instagram post. Levine, renowned for his media and public influence expertise, suggests this polling data reflects a growing backlash against celebrity involvement in politics. "It's a fascinating example of how public figures may be miscalculating the influence they wield," Levine said. "While Swift's voice carries weight in popular culture, political endorsements may be an entirely different beast—one that could alienate more voters than it engages." As the 2024 election intensifies, this celebrity endorsement raises fresh questions about the power of star influence on American politics. https://lnkd.in/gM38yqZD #taylorswift #2024election #careeradvice #selfgrowth #motivationalcoach #businesscoach #personalcoach #michaellevineconsulting #michaellevine #whatisyourwhy #losangeles #wisdom

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The Wall Street Journal editor Paul Beckett’s account in the Columbia Journalism Review of how the Journal mobilized to free Evan Gershkovich after 16th months as a prisoner in Russia is a tour de force and “a free press triumph” and well worth the read. Some excerpts: A phone call to a senior government official who knows this terrain provided the answer: “There are times to be quiet and there are times to be loud—and this is a time to be loud.” “Yet on days like August 1 (when he was freed), the values that underpin democracy and are the foundation of a free press triumph.” “Few countries that are not democracies could point to such care for their ordinary citizens abroad, let alone noncitizens imprisoned for their political beliefs.” “news organizations must continue to assess and calibrate the risks their reporters face when operating in dangerous terrain. Perhaps they need to make more hard-nosed choices on whether it is necessary to deploy in person to countries that target journalists or whether that terrain can effectively be covered from outside, given advances in technology and communications.” “And they could ensure that press freedom around the world—an issue so fundamental to their existence that it is often taken for granted—is a subject they cover as if their livelihoods and their liberty depended on it.” https://lnkd.in/etZTVCeB

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Last week, approximately 400 participants from around the world converged in DC to discuss the state of communications, to hear opposing and affirmative views, and to experience what it’s like to be on Capitol Hill two weeks before the election.    Here are three quick reflections on PRovoke Media’s Global Summit:  ❇️ Curate what matters to you the most: With a vibrant lineup of panelists like Mike Allen/Axios, Kathy Baird/Washington Post, Denise Dahlhoff/The Conference Board, Megan Doern/Deloitte, Nicki Haley, Kara Swisher, and others, there was a lot to take in. As usual, PRovoke has done a great job reporting on the Summit (check out their website.) These are the quotes that stuck with me (some paraphrased):  💬 "You don’t create a great product if you don’t have more points of view." 💬 "We have a lot of information but not a lot of facts. The purveyors of the main social networks have backed away from any moderation, and we are seeing the decline of media outlets that were much more stringent about facts.” 💬 "Regardless of what happens on election day, don't be quick to put anything out, don't be quick to respond because you won't know if it's real and you don't know exactly who's behind it. Make sure we're not contributing to any of that division.” 💬 "We need to be relentless. We need to wake up every single day and continue trying.” 💬 "I do think that the old quote, what gets measured gets managed, is still very true." 💬 “Process is such a critical thing to communicate quickly.” ❇️ Cherish the in-person moments: Many of us find industry conferences and events valuable because they give us the chance to reconnect with old colleagues and meet new people. Steve Kerns and I definitely accomplished this. It was also good to catch up with some of the good folks at PRovoke Media. ❇️ AI: don’t be lazy, and don’t get seduced. As expected, #AI was a significant topic of discussion at the Summit.  There is still much to be comprehended and navigated. Some of the AI-related sessions reminded me of what Jeremy Kahn, Fortune magazine’s AI editor said during one of his recent podcasts: “One of the things I’m concerned about is that this technology is so easy to use and so seductive that we’ll overuse it and, as a result, lose some of our important cognitive abilities.” We must be thoughtful and proceed with caution.    Thank you again to the PRovoke Media team for all their hard work. Paul Holmes Diana Marszalek Kim Cataldi Maja Pawinska Sims Patrick Drury #provokeglobal #marketingcommunications #publicrelations #PR

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The Role of Trusted #Journalism Has Never Been More Critical – With the craziness of upcoming elections and recent revelations about culture in parts of media, it’s clear our industry isn’t always painting itself in glory, sometimes it feels far from it. From concerns about transparency to questions of integrity, bias, agenda, misrepresentation, or just straight-up garbage... the media landscape faces immense scrutiny and criticism. However, this isn’t a fight for journalists or those working in the #media industry. It’s a fight for all of us - for an informed, engaged and empowered public that can think critically, not be fooled and make well-rounded decisions. All of our industry must do better and rise above. Our society must demand better, as being informed is essential. I argue that there has never been a more crucial time to understand what is happening around us. I read some recent industry studies highlighting a major shift in news habits among younger audiences, with social media becoming a primary news source. In the UK, 71% of 16- to 24-year-olds rely on social media for news, with 47% of adults doing the same. Instagram (44%) and TikTok (29%) lead the pack. Think about that for a second... What a scary thought: without editorial checks, anyone can say anything and algorithms create echo chambers that reinforce beliefs. It’s no wonder divides are growing and real debate is taking a backseat. We’re making people dumber by prioritising clicks over truth. And many major media companies have been forced to follow suit in the name of staying "competitive"... adopting tabloid styles, click-baiting and chasing cheap eyeballs. As a result, getting to the trustworthy, in-depth reporting from their great journalists (of which they have many) has become challenging (almost impossible) amid all the noise and distraction. This dangerous cycle must be broken. #News should inform, enlighten and elevate conversation, not dumb it down or exploit impulses for clicks. We need to reclaim news’ essence, where facts matter and well-researched stories are valued. Now, more than ever, we must advocate, fund and support high-quality journalism. This means supporting (subscribing to) outlets committed to fact-checking, balanced reporting and genuinely informing their subscribers and readers. Decent #journalists should refuse to put up with demands to "dumb it down", stand up and be seen, be loud and proud. When news falls into click-driven traps, we should call it out and demand better. It’s up to all of us – for an informed, engaged and critically thinking society. I want my kids to grow up to be part of a WA that is well informed, values truth, critical thinking and meaningful conversation. I demand that from myself every day, I demand it from our team at Business News (and I'm so proud of how they take it so seriously) now I demand it from our industry - for all of us and for the generations to come. Would love to know what you all think...?

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Why Edelman Started its Counter Disinformation Unit Allison Carter recently wrote an insightful PR Daily article discussing Edelman's new counter-disinformation unit. In the past week, the United States has been flooded with mis- and disinformation, particularly around hurricane aid, which has hampered relief and evacuation efforts. This is compounded by state-sponsored disinformation from countries like Iran, Russia, and China related to the upcoming elections, making it increasingly difficult to separate fact from fiction. Edelman, a global communication firm, responded to this growing challenge by launching a Counter Disinformation Unit. Dave Fleet, Edelman’s head of Global Digital Crisis, explained that organisations have been seeking help to combat this rising problem, driven by the weaponisation of culture, geopolitical instability, and advancements in AI. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gmmG5ed3 #Disinformation #AI #ArtificalIntelligence

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🚨 Are you ready for the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election? 🚨 Join us on 12th September at 4:00 pm BST / 11:00 am ET for an exclusive Reuters webinar designed to equip you with the insights and tools needed to deliver comprehensive election coverage. Join to learn how Reuters can help you: 🔹 Secure National Election Pool data to ensure you have the same real-time election data as top U.S. broadcasters. 🔹 Expand your audience with our tailored election coverage packages designed to help you connect with diverse demographics and deliver impactful reporting. 🔹 Get personalised support as our expert panelists answer all your technical questions to ensure you’re fully prepared for November. 💡 This is your last chance to fine-tune your coverage plans for November's U.S. Election with Reuters trusted expertise. Secure your spot now: https://gag.gl/M6gesf

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What are journalists looking for when they see pitches hit their inboxes? Remi Lederman shares 8 key takeaways from a panel of top journalists at a recent Ragan PR Daily Media Relations Conference to help PR professionals surprise and delight critical media teams and avoid the spam box.   Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/e7T8kXEN   #Raganevents #mediarelations #mediapitching

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A recent study led by industry expert Keri Putnam reveals a major untapped opportunity in independent film distribution. Currently, 36.7 million Americans engage with indie films—whether in theaters or at home. However, the data shows that 77 million Americans would consider paying for a streaming service focused on independent films and documentaries. That's a staggering gap of 40 million potential viewers who are currently underserved by mainstream platforms. This study underscores an incredible opportunity for those of us passionate about indie film and content creation to innovate and expand access to these unique voices. The audience is there and eager. Now’s the time to rethink distribution! 

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Seeing great posts from friends, colleagues and media safety & freedom orgs today marking #WorldPressFreedomDay. Important time to appreciate the critical work and severe challenges - often risking life and freedom - that journalists face today. There is no more important part of my team's mission than enabling the exceptional work of all the Dow Jones-publications across conflict areas, covering crucial economic and business stories securely, telling the stories of climate and disaster, and working within increasingly hostile autocracies. Risky work that gives us all purpose - at the The New York Times, The Washington Post and beyond. "In a world increasingly characterized by geopolitical tensions and sweeping government restrictions, the role of journalists has never been more crucial—or more challenging. As they navigate the complexities of reporting from countries with significant security concerns, they face a myriad of risks that threaten both their safety and the integrity of the press. From the criminalization of independent journalism in Russia, to the surveillance-heavy landscape of China, and even the operational difficulties in Africa, our journalists encounter daily challenges just to bring us honest, reliable news." - Dow Jones

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Language in the Press Forward "Closing Local Coverage Gaps" program FAQ warms my heart: Using LION: Local Independent Online News Publishers' definition of sustainability as a framework, we will prioritize outlets that are intentional about their editorial impact, operational resilience, and/or financial health. We will support organizations that have a clear plan for how they will use this investment as a foundational step toward developing and maintaining a long-term business model. https://lnkd.in/eGKFYhGz #impact #localnews #sustainability

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Attention Democrats and Republicans (and friends, please share this with Candidates and decisionmakers who have authority to spend campaign $!) In the aftermath of last Tuesday's BIG FAIL for democrats and BIG WIN for republicans, campaigns need new ideas. Doorknocking is noble, but so 20th Century. Why doorknock when voters already have you in the palm of their hands? Want to take advantage of the digital age we live in? Many "political strategists" told us they loved Lookatmedia, and wanted it, but asked us to wait until after Election Day. "2,000 doorknocks a minute" one party bragged. Quaint. We think if you are a Candidate or a decisionmaker with purchasing power, you should knock one more time: Lookatmedia. We'll answer, I'm easy to find, and our team will work with you to show you a better, winning way. You have 15 minutes for a phone call. And your competitors do too. Let's talk. Here's a good read from our partner at nycnewswire.com. #DCCC #DNC #RNC #NRCC #RGA #DGA #PACs #PRPROS #digitalmedia #digitalnews #nycnewswire.com

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Worth reading from NiemanLab: Readers prefer to click on a clear, simple headline — like this one By David Markowitz, Hillary Shulman and Todd Rogers In an era when people trust news less than ever, how can journalists break through and attract the attention of average people to provide information about their communities, the nation and the world? By not complicating things. Our research, published in Science Advances, shows that simple headlines significantly increase article engagement and clicks compared with headlines that use complex language. In our research, typical news readers preferred simple headlines over complex ones. But importantly, we found that those who actually write headlines — journalists themselves — did not. We first used data from The Washington Post and Upworthy to see how language features, such as word length and how common a word is, changed how many people clicked on an article’s headline. These datasets included over 31,000 randomized experiments — also known as A/B tests — that compared two or more headline versions of the same underlying article to determine which one generated the most clicks. Headlines with more common words — simple words like “job” instead of “occupation” — shorter headlines, and those communicated in a narrative style, with more pronouns compared with prepositions, received more clicks. For example, The Washington Post headline, “Meghan and Harry are talking to Oprah. Here’s why they shouldn’t say too much” outperformed the alternative headline, “Are Meghan and Harry spilling royal tea to Oprah? Don’t bet on it.” This example illustrates how sometimes a more straightforward headline can generate more interest. In follow-up laboratory experiments, we found that typical news readers focused more on simple rather than complex headlines because the writing was easier to understand. When journalists participated in the same experiments, they didn’t show any preference for simple headlines over complex ones. Put differently: Those who write the news appear to be less responsive to simple writing than regular audiences. Generations of communication consultants have advised that communicators follow the rather crass acronym KISS: Keep it Simple, Stupid. We suggest a modified version applied for journalists. Since KISJ isn’t all that simple, we propose: Keep It Simple, Staffers. Simplicity increases the number of people who click on a news story headline and improves reader recall of the material in the article. Most importantly, simplicity boosts reader engagement, such as how much attention they pay to the information.

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Journalists Sue Massachusetts TV Corporation Over Bogus YouTube Takedown Demands Channel 781, a citizen journalists' group represented by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), has filed a federal lawsuit against the WALTHAM COMMUNITY ACCESS CORPORATION in the U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts. The suit alleges that WCAC falsely claimed copyright infringement under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) to have YouTube take down Channel 781's videos, which included clips of Waltham city government meetings. This action temporarily deactivated Channel 781's YouTube channel just before a municipal election. Channel 781 argues that their use of the clips was fair use and that WCAC acted in bad faith. The lawsuit seeks damages and injunctive relief. EFF's Mitch Stoltz emphasized that copyright cannot be used to restrict access to public meeting videos and that false claims to suppress critical reporting must be addressed. Source: https://lnkd.in/gUAkgRra #Channel781 #EFF #DigitalRights #DMCA #FairUse #CitizenJournalism #FreeSpeech #PublicMeetings #Transparency #WalthamMA #YouTubeTakedown #CopyrightAbuse #AccessToInformation #MediaFreedom #Accountability #PublicInterest #CivicEngagement #RightToKnow #StopCensorship #CommunityMedia

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Media trust in the USA hit another historic low 📉 A new Gallup survey shows that trust in mass media has been decreasing and has fallen to a record low ➡️ The news media is the least trusted group among 10 US civic and political institutions involved in the democratic process. 👀 Another recent survey published by Business Insider says that Elon’s X (ex-Twitter) is the least trusted Big Tech company. It seems like trust is the main currency of these days. Also, it’s another reminder for PR & comms practitioners to use the whole variety of comms channels in the PESO model, not just traditional media. https://lnkd.in/dSVzhECa

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My latest for MSNBC: How Live Nation-Ticketmaster became the villain of our time. "The Biden administration, along with a bipartisan group of 30 state attorneys general, filed suit Thursday against Live Nation, the parent company of Ticketmaster. The lawsuit seeks to break up what the government claims is an illegal monopoly. The main reaction from everyone — well, almost everyone — has been: It’s about time ...The word “Ticketmaster” has become shorthand for how companies with monopolistic control over a market segment degrade American life. ... As Jonathan Kanter, the head of the Justice Department’s anti-trust division, put it in a news release announcing the case, “The live music industry in America is broken because Live Nation-Ticketmaster has an illegal monopoly.” It’s not possible to say no to Ticketmaster, not if you want to see a live show. They’ve stuck their greedy snout in so many parts of the process, they are all but impossible to avoid. Little wonder CNBC’s Jim Cramer, hardly an avid trustbuster, said Thursday that he has long recommended the company’s stock because “it’s the best gouger in the world.” (“Alleged gouger,” he quickly added.) .... The few defending the company seem half-hearted at best. Their complaint, on both the left and the right, seems to amount to “doesn’t the Biden administration have anything more serious to do with their time?” That reaction misunderstands the situation. First, the rule of law matters, even when we’re discussing something as frivolous and discretionary as concert tickets. Second, many Americans quite reasonably think no one in government listens to — never mind addresses — their political and economic concerns. That’s the sentiment that got Donald Trump elected to the White House in 2016 and could do so again this year. Ever-growing monopolies are a major part of this problem. The Biden administration, to its credit and to the fury of both Wall Street and Silicon Valley, is pursuing anti-trust violations with a vigor not seen in decades. The Federal Trade Commission recently filed suit against the proposed merger of grocery store giants Kroger and Albertsons, arguing that it will raise grocery prices and harm workers. The DOJ has filed anti-trust suits against Google and Apple and already stopped a proposed JetBlue-Spirit merger in court. As companies become dominant in a market, costs surge even as the quality of the service on offer declines. Live Nation-Ticketmaster has come to symbolize how large and increasingly unaccountable corporations diminish our lives even as they gouge us financially. Combined with our post-Covid party-hardy ways, the issue has turned into political dynamite. Live Nation-Ticketmaster’s executives should have recalled a basic business adage: Pigs get fed while hogs get slaughtered." #Ticketmaster #LiveNation #Monopolies https://lnkd.in/gGvGGAc2

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The New York Times' Adrienne Raphel: How Gen Z Made the Crossword Their Own. (Adrienne Raphel interviewed and solved puzzles by dozens of cruciverbalists under 30 for this article.) April 13, 2024 30-Across: “___ and dry food (categories I will now be using to describe human food. Oh, so suddenly it’s weird?)” 31-Across: “TikTok videos of ‘Family Guy’ clips accompanied by Subway Surfers gameplay, e.g.” 26-Down: “Lili ___, one of the first trans women to receive gender-affirming surgery” Who’s this “I” cracking jokes about WET food in the middle of a crossword clue? What is SLUDGE CONTENT doing inside a puzzle? How did we get to learn about Lili Elbe when the answer ELBE almost always refers to the German river? Welcome to the crossword in the age of Gen Z. Clues require internet meme literacy. Solutions may reflect the identity of the person behind the puzzle. And the way they’re constructed can involve vibrant online forums in addition to scraps of paper. Grids these days are often “diaristic,” said Paolo Pasco, 23, the winner of this year’s American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, the Super Bowl of crosswords. They can reveal clusters of personal obsessions or glimpses of an idiosyncratic sense of humor. “That’s a big part of what got me into puzzles,” Mr. Pasco said. “This is an insight into the person’s brain who thought of that joke.” It’s a noticeable shift from decades past, when crosswords were usually faceless, less a site for auteurism than a form of anonymous entertainment. But thanks to a variety of factors — rapidly improving technology to create puzzles, a much wider array of outlets eager to publish them and a push to celebrate new voices — constructors today are more inclined to express themselves in their work.

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