The (Not So) Slow Demise of Old Media
Understanding the perks and pitfalls of old media’s decline.
As a former reporter and editor, and now media consultant, I have watched with great interest (and sadness) as the media have slowly crumbled in recent years. Thousands of print and broadcast reporters have lost their jobs, dozens of newspapers and magazines have folded, many more have stopped printing seven days a week. For sure the economy is to blame, but it’s not the whole story. I argue that the economy has just expedited the current state of the media….but that’s another story.
But, it’s not ALL bad news, especially for you. The down economy may be dominating the news, but it is also having a major impact on the news business itself. And that means good news for you. Now is actually a great time to use the media to communicate your message. The economy is forcing many newspapers and TV stations to cut their staffs, making it much easier for companies and organizations to get positive stories in print and on the air…if they know how to do it.
But it’s not all good news, smaller newsrooms have led to an increase in easy-to-report and sensationalized crisis-related stories (fires, explosions, fraud, recalls, work-place violence, etc.). Don’t get caught unprepared if that crisis hits your company!
Anthony Huey is President of Reputation Management, LLC, one of the nation’s leading media training, speech coaching and crisis consulting companies.
Where in the World is Anthony?
Gave closing keynote this morning at a conference in Orlando. Social Media Tip 34: Educate yourself on AI Chatbots. A lot of those posts that incense you and make you share them in real life are not created by a human being. We are being manipulated.
Gave keynote this afternoon in Los Angeles. Body Language Tip 9: If you have a habit of swaying or rocking, put 1 foot forward, the other slightly open and perpendicular to it. It'll lock you in place. And watch the swivel chairs in virtual calls!
Speaking this week in California and Florida. Presenting tip number 1: Secret to wowing any audience is VARIETY: in voice, movement, pace, gestures, visuals, interaction, etc. Mix it up and stop being boring!
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Spent the day in Indianapolis working with an electrical contractor. Negotiation tip 33: Don't mirror your opponent's demeanor, especially if the tone/questions are negative.