Media Relations

Executing a media tour in normal circumstances isn’t easy. But what about a virtual media tour in the middle of a public health crisis?

Many Americans awoke April 15, on what is normally Tax Day, hoping to find an emergency stimulus payment of up to $1200 in their checking accounts.

There have been examples of good communications and communicators during the pandemic. Governor Andrew Cuomo and Dr. Anthony Fauci come to mind. Add Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer to the list.

There are two basic ways pitching pros can react to the novel coronavirus: hide or continue working.

One of the top questions on PR pros’ minds is how often they should be pitching to the media. In the middle of the pandemic, when the public is hungry for the latest COVID-19 information, communicators, particularly those whose field is unrelated to healthcare or finance, may feel unsure. PR pros we interviewed advised returning to media relations’ basics, mixed with empathy and patience.

In the second week of its COVID-19 consumer survey effort, the Ad Council’s survey shows consumers are feeling hopeful despite troubling statistics from global and local health authorities.

On April 14, President Trump announced he would be cutting funding to the World Health Organization for not doing enough to address the virus in the early days of the outbreak.

Contrasting messages were in evidence again today.

Although you may cringe the next time you see or hear the phrase “the new normal,” it’s part of the communicator’s job to keep tabs on trends.

Entertainers need to entertain, and thankfully for a country where the majority are cooped up at home, the diversion is welcome.