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Essential Tips for On-Camera Appearances

Whether or not you believe that Andy Warhol predicted, "in the future, everybody will be world-famous for 15 minutes" (The Smithsonian says it's probably not true), you'll want to seize the moment when TV news comes calling. These nine PR tips will ensure you make everyone proud. 1. Maintain Eye Contact When in a face-to-face interview, focus on the person asking questions, not the camera. In remote interviews, keep unwavering eye contact with the camera lens.When pausing to collect your thoughts, look down rather than up to avoid misinterpretation. 2. Present Your Best Self Even in virtual meetings through platforms like Zoom or Teams, your appearance and surroundings are pivotal. Position your camera at eye level for a flattering perspective. Dress appropriately and run a comb or brush through your hair. The world doesn't need another Sam Bankman-Fried! Opt for …


The PR Implications of Conspiracy Theories for Private Companies

Let me say right from the start that this is not going to be a comprehensive analysis of the topic described in the headline. I think the headline presents a great premise for an article, but really I don't have the stomach for it. Maybe further down the road. I waded into this subject after reviewing the first part of PRovoke's story, "Crisis Review: The Top 20 Crises Of 2020," which selected election fraud claims to top its list. Dominion Voting Systems somehow wound up on the radar of absolutely crazy theories about how the 2020 vote could have been changed or otherwise manipulated. I'm sure the public relations and crisis counselors working with and for Dominion were sickened by what they witnessed, and I 100 percent support their legal efforts to extract whatever pounds of flesh they can from …


What's Said in Media Training Should Stay in Media Training

Leak of Papa John's Founder's Media Training Recording a Terrible Violation of Trust In the 1980s, Don Henley had a big hit with the song, “Dirty Laundry,” which extolled the virtues of tabloid journalism from the perspective of a TV talking head. I make my living off the evening newsJust give me something-something I can usePeople love it when you lose,They love dirty laundry This is what crossed my mind as I read the Forbes account of pizza chain mogul John Schnatter’s scandalous use of the N-word. Not because the media reveled in the fiery crash of his image, which they did, but because the name of his former company’s now former ad agency is “Laundry Service.” The irony meter only slightly jiggled when I heard that – more like coincidence. A firm named Laundry Service was representing a guy …


Helping Smart People Make Complicated Information Relatable

Best of Silver Anvil Winning Program Builds Support for Human Space Exploration DPK Public Relations has a long relationship with NASA - Johnson Space Center that goes back to the Space Shuttle era, and we were proud to assist the Human Research Program's efforts to communicate about the science behind Astronaut Scott Kelly's Year in Space. The concept was simple: Kelly is an identical twin, so NASA seized the opportunity to monitor the impact of this prolonged exposure to zero gravity and compare those physiological and psychological measurements with those of his brother, Mark Kelly, who also is an astronaut. The challenge for any organization involved in science, technology or medicine -- or really anything that is complex -- is getting the smart people who are involved comfortable speaking in plane English about it. Making complicated information relatable isn't something …


Best of Silver Anvil 2017 Goes to Client NASA Johnson Space Center

NASA's One-Year Mission Earns PRSA's Highest Honor Congratulations to our client, NASA Johnson Space Center, for winning the 2017 Best of Silver Anvil Award. The agency's program, "Year in Space: Communicating NASA's Historic One-Year Mission from Space to Ground," won the Silver Anvil in the Integrated Communications category and a second Silver Anvil for Reputation Management. It was judged to be the best of all this year's Silver Anvil winners. DPK Public Relations is proud to have assisted with spokesperson preparation connected to NASA's historic one-year mission. We worked closely NASA's Human Research Program in the year leading up to the mission to hone messages and refine storytelling strategies. We later media trained many of the scientists and researchers involved in the mission. NASA Johnson Space Center's integrated communications campaign showcased diverse activities aboard the International Space Station and collaborated …


Silence Can Amplify the Power of Your Words

Shut Up and Use One of the Most Powerful Communications Tools  We at DPK Public Relations appreciated a recent post by Dan Rockwell, "How to Capture the Opportunity in Awkward Silence," from his Leadership Freak blog. It describes the value of leaders allowing silence in the midst of meetings or interviews. So often, silence in a meeting ratchets up tension and anxiety. It is the third rail of interpersonal communication - touching it can be deadly! However, this negative response to a moment of contemplation can be harmful. It can prompt people to rush and make statements or offer solutions that lack a solid foundation and are ill conceived.  Right out of college, I worked briefly selling cars. As is the case with many salespersons, we were coached to capitalize on the discomfort created by silence. Make a closing statement and …


Outcome of Chilean Mine Collapse Proves Effectiveness of Media Training

I am not sure how I missed this story when it first happened, but it is worth recapping even if the event happened a couple weeks ago. Those Chilean miners who once were trapped underground and now are hobnobbing with the rich and famous? They were media trained while awaiting rescue. Okay, that definitely deserves an LOL.   There are a lot of jokes that come to mind, but the reality is that sometimes I think the people who trudge into a media training session would prefer to be trapped underground for a month rather than participate in training to prepare them to handle media scrutiny. Their perspective changes once we get rolling, because what we do is fun and interactive, but I haven’t found too many people who get excited about spending a day in a media training session. They …


Lance Armstrong illustrates how to handle difficult journalists

As you might understand, Lance Armstrong doesn't like to be called "a cancer," so when a journalist who did just that in the past tried to pin him down at a news conference, Lance was none too pleased. It is a great example of how to take control and deliver your message no matter what.


Media Training Fundamental: Reporters Are Always Working

What is the role of a reporter and to whom is that reporter responsible? This is a question we tackle in most media training sessions because DPK Public Relations believes it is important for your spokespersons to understand the environment in which they will be attempting to deliver their messages.


The Value of On-Camera Media Interview Skills Training

We strongly recommend using a camera in media interview skills training sessions Because when it the total package – body language, facial expression, voice inflections and the tone and power of the voice all interact. The best way to expose a spokesperson to the areas that can be improved is by getting them to see and/or hear for themselves.