The Media Blew It. Ask for a Correction — or Let it Go?
Sometimes, no matter how careful your messaging, a story hits the local news and… it’s wrong. Maybe a fact is off. Maybe the context is missing. Or maybe a quote is twisted just enough to…
The Thoughts Library
Issue after issue of hindsight,
on tap.
Every month we publish a practical take on school communications — what worked, what backfired, and what to say next time. The whole archive lives here.
Email, Interview, or Press Release?
When an issue comes up in a school community, the first instinct is usually to figure out what to say. But just as important—and often overlooked—is deciding how to say it. The way a message…
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Look like a pro on your next webcam: 7 tips in 5 minutes
Whether it’s remote working or e-learning, leading a virtual presentation or building video content, webcam use has exploded. Microsoft Teams has 320 million daily participants; Zoom has 300 million. Isn’t it time you upped your…
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Does local news still matter? Short answer: Yes!
Two recent surveys on where people get their news and whether they trust it show that local television news is still very much relevant. No, people aren’t rushing home anymore to catch the 6pm news…
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No plans to be on TV? Here’s why you need media training anyway
We just wrapped up several weeks of media and crisis communications training for one of the biggest cities in the country. Last week, I was called in to a senior leader’s office for a chat.…
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Do I Really Need to Call That Reporter Back?
I get the question A LOT. If a local TV reporter calls asking for a comment about an issue that will likely put the school district or agency in a negative light, do I really…
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Should I Ever Talk to a Reporter Off-The-Record?
We get this question a lot from public relations specialists at schools and municipal governments: should I ever talk to a reporter off-the-record? Simple question. Not so simple answer. Coming from a reporter of three…
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8 Best Tips for Being Interviewed on Television: Preparation, Execution and Follow-Up
Being interviewed on television can be an exciting opportunity to share your expertise, promote your business, or communicate a message to a wide audience. However, a successful TV appearance requires more than just showing up.…
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Penn, Harvard, MIT, Antisemitism, and The Case For Media Training
Sometimes a one-word answer is all that it takes. Say, for example, you’re the president of an Ivy League School, and you’re asked if calling for the genocide of an entire population of people…
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10 Tips for Creating Quality Video Content
In 2020, when it comes to branding and marketing your organization, content is king. And the king of content is video. Here are 10 tips for creating quality video content. 1) Know Your Audience- Ask yourself…
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How to Dress for a Television Interview
One of the first questions our executive producers get from clients when preparing for a video shoot is, “What should I wear?”. As professional media trainers, well tell clients that what people wear isn’t as…
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Lights, Camera, Action! Four Tips to Surviving Your "Hollywood" Debut
Nearly three-quarters of all internet traffic is video content, according to HubSpot. That’s a lot of people seeking the limelight. But… what if you’re not one of them? What if you’re not ready to kick…
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