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When the Headline Is You Lib/E: An Insider's Guide to Handling the Media
"Proven strategies for managing all types of media encounters!"Award-winning journalist and Fortune 500 consultant Jeff Ansell provides a how-to guide for leaders, executives, and other professionals whose high-visibility requires frequent contact with the media. Drawing on nearly four decades of media experience, Ansell presents tested techniques for responding to challenging questions and delivering effective messages. In addition, he reveals lessons learned and pitfalls to avoid by referencing recent news events from around the world. Valuable features include: A behind-the-scenes look at how news is madeComplete guidelines to creating compelling messagesSpecific messaging formulae for building trust when the news is badStep-by-step strategies for managing hostile or relentless questionsInsider tips on how to identify and handle misleading questions
An essential resource for navigating both traditional and online media, this book prepares readers for even the most challenging media events.
An essential resource for navigating both traditional and online media, this book prepares readers for even the most challenging media events.
- GenresBusiness
Audio CD
First published August 26, 2010
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103 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 3, 2025
A must read… for Blake Lively specifically! 😱
There’s a lot in here from preventing soundbites to getting your message to survive the editing process. 🧐
Some of the chapters are now outdated, and it’s a bummer we won’t get an updated version given the author has passed away. That being said, he did a pretty good job at predicting the social media landscape, having published this book in 2010.
There’s a lot in here from preventing soundbites to getting your message to survive the editing process. 🧐
Some of the chapters are now outdated, and it’s a bummer we won’t get an updated version given the author has passed away. That being said, he did a pretty good job at predicting the social media landscape, having published this book in 2010.
February 19, 2016
If you have ever wondered why you walked out of a media interview feeling mis-quoted and wanted to do something about it, then this book by Jeff Ansell, is for you. This messaging guide helps public relations professionals and the people they help understand how to talk about the things that matter to them and respond honestly to questions from reporters.
Savvy messaging advice fills the book and worksheets help users craft their core messages. The book discusses how to talk with reporters and is especially good on dealing with “bad news” about one’s company or organization. Being accessible and forthcoming is soundly advised by the author, who notes the old PR adage, “Mess up, ‘fess up.” In particular, Ansell notes that a heartfelt remark from someone at the company, is going to build more goodwill and dissipate more bad feelings, than an antiseptic press release.
Delivering a message through the media when things go wrong though, can be tough. It is no wonder that some companies and organizations hide behind statements and press releases. But Ansell provides tips on how to prepare for an interview and offers talking points and suggestions that can help spokespeople build confidence and share a message clearly. He also denounces the use of saying “no comment” and notes how self-incriminating this remark can be.
While legal counsel may not always support this messaging approach, Ansell believes that if a company can express regret and empathy in the media after a tragedy, it can go a long way toward building goodwill. An empathetic and proactive approach through the news media can mitigate claims and reflect the human side of the company, rather than presenting a straitjacketed response from a crisis communications plan.
Early in my career, media training advice was to tell interviewees to “stay on point” even if they were not responding adequately to the question posed by a reporter. This serves to infuriate reporters and can often make it appear that a company or organization is “hiding” information even while speaking. The author soundly denounces this strategy and argues that core values can under gird the messages that the spokesperson delivers. Ansell gives advice on how to handle a hostile interview situation and persistent re-questioning by reporters.
I also really liked his section discussing messaging, that looked at how emotions win over facts and figures. Ansell counsels public relations professionals to understand the underlying emotions that impact consumer or target audience views. Facts cannot beat emotions – as much as public relations professionals love statistics, data and talking points. Spitting out pre-canned messages will not work if people do not trust you. Ansell rightly points out that trust must be earned by organizations. He advises spokespeople in difficult or crisis situations to show humility, answer honestly, acknowledge skepticism, and couple concern with a commitment to action.
Savvy messaging advice fills the book and worksheets help users craft their core messages. The book discusses how to talk with reporters and is especially good on dealing with “bad news” about one’s company or organization. Being accessible and forthcoming is soundly advised by the author, who notes the old PR adage, “Mess up, ‘fess up.” In particular, Ansell notes that a heartfelt remark from someone at the company, is going to build more goodwill and dissipate more bad feelings, than an antiseptic press release.
Delivering a message through the media when things go wrong though, can be tough. It is no wonder that some companies and organizations hide behind statements and press releases. But Ansell provides tips on how to prepare for an interview and offers talking points and suggestions that can help spokespeople build confidence and share a message clearly. He also denounces the use of saying “no comment” and notes how self-incriminating this remark can be.
While legal counsel may not always support this messaging approach, Ansell believes that if a company can express regret and empathy in the media after a tragedy, it can go a long way toward building goodwill. An empathetic and proactive approach through the news media can mitigate claims and reflect the human side of the company, rather than presenting a straitjacketed response from a crisis communications plan.
Early in my career, media training advice was to tell interviewees to “stay on point” even if they were not responding adequately to the question posed by a reporter. This serves to infuriate reporters and can often make it appear that a company or organization is “hiding” information even while speaking. The author soundly denounces this strategy and argues that core values can under gird the messages that the spokesperson delivers. Ansell gives advice on how to handle a hostile interview situation and persistent re-questioning by reporters.
I also really liked his section discussing messaging, that looked at how emotions win over facts and figures. Ansell counsels public relations professionals to understand the underlying emotions that impact consumer or target audience views. Facts cannot beat emotions – as much as public relations professionals love statistics, data and talking points. Spitting out pre-canned messages will not work if people do not trust you. Ansell rightly points out that trust must be earned by organizations. He advises spokespeople in difficult or crisis situations to show humility, answer honestly, acknowledge skepticism, and couple concern with a commitment to action.
July 21, 2024
It's ok. There are some great details in there, but I found the presentation lacking. But nonetheless a good entry book into 'media training'.
Also I may not be the target audience as I read this out of curiosity. I feel this book would work better in a workshop/seminar with crowd engagement. I think that's how it's meant to be used.
Also I may not be the target audience as I read this out of curiosity. I feel this book would work better in a workshop/seminar with crowd engagement. I think that's how it's meant to be used.
September 25, 2018
I am impressed by the title and its review. My self have been with Media and Corporates over a long period of time in Government generally. I intend to read few relevant chapters before going for full reading. Let's see what it un folds.
September 15, 2017
A very insightful and intriguing read on what to do when "stuff" happens.
May 25, 2019
Great book to help you prepare for media interviews and handy references for further reference.
March 30, 2020
It would be a useful tool for the future. I definitely think I'll review some of this and use this as a resource throughout my career, further to that there are fun jokes and anecdotes that make this an easy read.
However there's no talk of ethics regarding this resource and there is a disconnection of compassion and honesty. This was no doubt the PR of the past, weather or not it's the PR of the future is another question.
However there's no talk of ethics regarding this resource and there is a disconnection of compassion and honesty. This was no doubt the PR of the past, weather or not it's the PR of the future is another question.
December 26, 2010
Jeff Ansell has distilled his years of experience in PR in this handy primer for how to handle the media. The advice is solid, and if you work through the excellent case examples in the book, you'll have a much better feel for how to deal with hostile questions in tough situations. Highly recommended for anyone who has to work with the media. In particular, the chapter "Twenty What-ifs" is a brilliant set of tips for dealing with all kinds of tricky questions and situations.
June 10, 2013
For everyone who thinks that they know how to speak to the media, this book proves that we don't. Informative and useful, it fills in the blanks when it comes to what to say and how to say it so that your comments aren't misconstrued.
April 24, 2014
Solid read for media communications professionals and spokespeople.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews