Advertising Information

Media Savvy - How To Lead, Persuade And Influence


The ability to lead, persuade and influence are integral skills for effective managers. The capability of telling a story that inspires, motivates and informs is an essential part of this process. In an age of convergence in the media and increased scepticism over traditional communication methods, a new breed of managers and leaders is emerging that sees the media as an opportunity and not a threat. They use the media in a pro-active way to build their organisation's image, reputation and identity.

Business Review Weekly's cover story "Future Leaders" editorial reported "new chief executives must have better presentation skills, for they will be required to perform in the electronic and printed media. Poor presentation will be perceived as a weakness in leadership, and arrogance or condescending attitudes will only be tolerated while the company is on top," (BRW December 14, 1998 P.14).

My role with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, as both a broadcaster interviewing key decision makers and as a manager providing editorial leadership for program makers, allowed me to observe first hand how effective leaders use the media to get their message across.

I now share this knowledge and experience with a range of clients to add value, improve performance and build capabilities. Our company has built a reputation for excellence in media strategy, issues management, change management, marketing communications, media training, financial journalism and professional speaking. A practical approach is focused on helping people strategically manage real-life situations.

Getting positive exposure in the media can be more powerful than any advertising campaign. It is far-reaching, utterly credible and free. As an added bonus, you may well attract an audience you had never anticipated.

But talking to reporters can be risky and threatening for first timers. You can say too much and lose control of the interview. You can say the wrong thing and damage your reputation. Or you can say "no comment" and lose an opportunity.

The only way to build your reputation is by learning the secrets of how the media works and we can help you do that.

10 Tips

These are 10 success tips that will help managers and leaders get the best from the media.

1. Know Your Strengths. What are you an expert at? What is your specialized area of expertise? What unique services or information can you offer? Position yourself as the expert.

2. Clarify your communication objectives? What do you want to achieve? To inform or entertain? To provide information? To build a profile? To influence public opinion? Personal marketing? Marketing or launching a new product or service?

3. Define your target audience? Who is your target audience? General public? Customers? Competitors? Suppliers? What age are they, what level of education, what beliefs and values, geographical location, how do they use the media?

4. Identify the best channels of communication. What is the best way to reach your target audience? TV, Radio, Internet, newspapers - local or Statewide, specialist or generalist, industry publications, community newsletters?

5. What is your key message? Distill what you want to say into three key points. Work out the best time to deliver this message and who will deliver it.

6. Build your case? What are the features, advantages and benefits of your message for your target audience? What evidence and proof do you have?

7. What is the hook? What will make your message or news release stand out from the rest? Be creative. Use a press release to control the information flow.

8. Develop long-term relationships with the media. Visit and meet them face to face. Network and get to know them.

9. Use the Three Golden Rules to Perform at your Best = Know Your Topic, Be Prepared, Relax.

10. Seek Professional Help. For maximum impact, effectiveness and value seek the advice of a media and communications professional.

Thomas Murrell MBA CSP is an international business speaker, consultant and award-winning broadcaster. Media Motivators is his regular electronic magazine read by 7,000 professionals in 15 different countries.

You can subscribe by visiting http://www.8mmedia.com. Thomas can be contacted directly at +6189388 6888 and is available to speak to your conference, seminar or event. Visit Tom's blog at http://www.8mmedia.blogspot.com.


MORE RESOURCES:

Boston Globe

New York Times now offers front-page advertising
MarketWatch - 13 hours ago
"In 2006 we began testing ads on some section fronts and received a very positive response from the advertising community," said Denise Warren, ...
Video: Money Minute: Times Ads, Hyundai, Construction AssociatedPress
NY Times debuts front-page ad; new revenue source The Associated Press
New York Times to sell front-page display ads Reuters
AFP - Chicago Tribune
all 314 news articles


BBC News

Strikes greet Sarkozy's TV reform
BBC News, UK - 8 hours ago
President Nicolas Sarkozy's changes will ban advertising on prime time public TV from Monday evening. The president says the reforms will increase quality, ...
French unions decry TV advertising change Forbes
French Public TV Scraps Nighttime Ads Voice of America
France bans adverts on state TV during primetime guardian.co.uk
Telegraph.co.uk - Irish Times
all 41 news articles


Dunkin' Donuts' New Advertising Offers Rallying Cry for 2009: 'You ...
PR Newswire (press release), NY - 7 hours ago
5 /PRNewswire/ -- Dunkin' Donuts, America's all-day, everyday stop for coffee and baked goods, today unveiled a new $100+ million integrated advertising ...
Dunkin' launches $100M ad campaign today Bizjournals.com
Dunkin' Donuts Finds Its Inner Cheerleader AdAge.com (subscription)
Click to see commercial via YouTube video Blue MauMau
Adweek - MediaPost Publications
all 27 news articles


Sun-Times Media Group Names Jim Dyer Vice President, Classified ...
Business Wire (press release), CA - 11 hours ago
He was a key player in the launch of AutoTrader.com, serving as Regional Sales Director, Advertising Operations Director and General Manager of Non Contract ...
Sun-Times Media Group Appoints Jim Dyer VP, Classified Advertising ... RTT News
Sun-Times News Group Names VP/Classifieds Editor & Publisher
Sun-Times Media Group proceeds with deregistration of Class A ... Trading Markets (press release)
Earthtimes (press release) - TechWhack (press release)
all 15 news articles


Vigilante Advertising's Annual 'Next 5' List of Key Social and ...
PR Newswire (press release), NY - 7 hours ago
5 /PRNewswire/ -- Vigilante, a leading advertising agency, today released its annual top five list of social and commercial drivers. ...


China Daily

DMG Signs Michael Phelps as Face of Mazda in China
MSNBC - 5 hours ago
Phelps, the world's greatest Olympian and 14-times Gold Medal winner, will exclusively endorse the new Mazda 6 model in a series of advertising campaigns ...
Michael Phelps to endorse Mazda in China Hollywood Reporter
Michael Phelps to Promote Mazda 6 in China AdAge.com (subscription)
Michael Phelps signs groundbreaking deal with Mazda in China Brand Republic
mad.co.uk
all 44 news articles


Nation’s Largest Grocery Advertising Network Celebrates Anniversary
PR Web (press release), WA - 5 hours ago
Colchester, VT -- MyWebGrocer has grown during 2008 to be the largest grocery advertising network in the US by providing relevant, timely and measurable ...


TheaterMania.com

reasons to be pretty to Hold Open Casting Call for Broadway ...
TheaterMania.com, NY - 12 hours ago
The producers of the Broadway production of Neil LaBute's reasons to be pretty have announced that they will hold an open casting call for its advertising ...
Ad Campaign for LaBute's reasons to be pretty Seeks Real Bodies Playbill.com
LaBute's 'reasons to be pretty' Looking for 'Real People' for Ad ... Broadway World
all 5 news articles


JP Morgan: '09 to be Rocky for Web and Brand Ads
Adweek, NY - 8 hours ago
That’s because the rocky macro-economic climate has caused performance based advertising to gain market share at a faster rate, a trend that should continue ...
paidContent.org - JP Morgan Sees Long-Term Dominance For ... Washington Post
all 6 news articles


'Newsday' Appoints Senior VP/Advertising
Editor & Publisher - 4 hours ago
By E&P Staff NEW YORK Lee Jones has been tapped to serve as Newsday's senior vice president of advertising with oversight of all national, major retail and ...

Advertising - Google News

home | index |site map
© 2006