Media Relations

The White House has turned up the gas on a campaign to discredit Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The Washington Post published an article July 11 outlining the various ways the White House has silenced Fauci over the past several weeks. The report aired a statement from the Trump administration claiming “several White House officials are concerned about the number of times Dr. Fauci has been wrong on things,” which, according to the Post, “included a lengthy list of the scientist’s comments from early in the outbreak.”

Most PR pros learn about media relations in school or on the job. Matt Newey, a photographer and ski nut, absorbed some of the basics through trial and error. He pitched his personal story of contracting COVID-19 to hundreds of reporters. It worked.

The investment management and stock trading app Robinhood has come under fire in recent months for its allure to young and inexperienced investors. On July 8, a New York Times report took a look at those who have played the stocks and lost big on the app, delving into common complaints from Robinhood users including gamification and technical glitches. How should its communication team respond?

The pandemic has caused more than a few sectors to pivot. Why not influencers? With travel and leisure destinations largely off the radar, influencers increasingly are working with the public sector, education organizations and social causes. The goal in most cases is to promote awareness of health and other messages.

Recently, our team at PRNEWS decided to revive a series for our readers: “Ask a Reporter.” With logistical changes in the workforce, as well as a news cycle that just won’t quit, PR and media need to work more harmoniously than ever to get the public the information it needs. During “Ask a Reporter” we will interview a fellow journalist, finding out what works best for them when it comes to media relations.

Developing relationships with content creators remains a top priority for media relations pros. The pandemic has forced adjustments in this area, but the fundamentals of media relations remain stable.

Faced with a long-term crisis, a media landscape that transformed priorities seemingly overnight and budgets of many businesses frozen, PR pros need to adapt. Here are some strategies to use.

While the announcement of an effective drug treatment available worldwide for those suffering from the cryptic virus should be something to celebrate, delving into an explanation about pricing for a possibly life-saving drug may cause some reader’s stomachs to churn. Gilead’s statement attempts to strike a delicate balance, focusing on the importance of the treatment while justifying its value. 

With the return of sports comes real challenges. It’s not only the configuring of a shortened or limited season, but ensuring employee and player safety and well-being through a global pandemic. How should these entities communicate to stakeholders that restarting sports is a viable option?

Many brands have said they support #BlackLivesMatter. Some have taken direct action to back up their words. It is possible LeBron James may ask them to support the effort to register black voters and fight voter suppression, a source of structural racism, James says.