Public Relations and Damage Control
Too many news outlets covering the
Martha Stewart trial are not saying enough. As predicted, barring the media from access to jury selection has created an issue of supply and demand—plenty of reporters to cover the trial and no trial.So I was doubly pleased when I found this piece on NPR.
Public relations and damage control includes an interview with Eric Dezenhall, an expert in damage control and the author of "Nail 'Em: Confronting High-Profile Attacks on Celebrities and Businesses." Dezenhall has some interesting perspectives on how to approach situations like the Stewart scandal.Unfortunately, he also makes some sweeping generalizations about public relations. We see people go off message in front of the media all the time. But when it is a fellow public relations professional, it makes me angry. All too often PR folk wonder why no one understands or appreciates what we do for a living. Dezenhall provides a perfect example how misunderstanding is created and reinforced.
