Pinnacle Insights
Political editor v spin doctor: compelling or embarrassing?
May 20, 2010 | Written by Duncan Hart
Discussion in today’s edition of PR Week regarding the recent on-air spat between Adam Boulton, the Sky News political editor, and Alastair Campbell, the Labour spin doctor, and whether it made compelling viewing.
For those who didn’t see it: following the outcome of the general election, but before the creation of the coalition government, Campbell and [...]
Posted in: Interviews, PR, Political communications, media. 1 Comment »
Careless talk costs careers
May 19, 2010 | Written by Duncan Hart
“Careless talk costs lives”, or so it was said in World War II, as people were urged to “keep it under their hat” rather than taking the risk of giving enemy spies information they could use against them. Today, careless talk costs careers, and reputations.
There have been a number of such incidents of late, from the [...]
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It’s what people hear that counts
| Written by Duncan Hart
An interviewee on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme this morning said (approximately), it’s not what you say, but what people hear that matters. How true.
Of course, there are times when the media hears every word loud and clear, often when you don’t want them to. Off-the-cuff remarks or off-hand comments are almost always picked [...]
Posted in: Crisis communications, Interviews, PR, media. Leave a Comment »
Don’t say it, if you don’t want it heard
April 29, 2010 | Written by Duncan Hart
When media training I always remind people of two critically important – and related – points, which any senior business person – or politician – should always remember:
Firstly, they (the media) cannot print what you don’t say. If you don’t want it to make the headlines, then don’t say it in the first place.
Secondly, you never [...]
Posted in: Crisis communications, Interviews, PR, Political communications, media. Leave a Comment »
Tears before election time
March 4, 2010 | Written by Duncan Hart
We have recently witnessed a new phenomenon; influential men (and Peter Andre) breaking down on TV, showing real emotion and revealing the ‘inner man’.
Gordon Brown on Piers Morgan’s show, and Alistair Campbell with Andrew Marr have both been overcome, and who can forget Peter Andre shedding tears as he spoke of how he would fight [...]
Posted in: Interviews, PR, Political communications, media. Leave a Comment »
Performance v perception; the importance of reputation
February 3, 2010 | Written by Duncan Hart
I thought I should comment on the story dominating the headlines this week. Climate change? The impending general election? The takeover of Cadbury by Kraft? No, John Terry’s alleged affair with the ex-girlfriend of an ex-teammate of course!
This story is also dominating conversations across the land. On the train home last night a group of [...]
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A dream man and meerkats – it could only happen online
October 28, 2009 | Written by Duncan Hart
Making the news today is a story of a mysterious man that people from many different parts of the world claim to have seen in their dreams. In fact, what’s really making the headlines is a website that’s inviting people to get in touch if they have too have ’seen’ the mystery man.
The story apparently began [...]
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Statistics that paint a picture
October 27, 2009 | Written by Andrew Manasseh
This morning on BBC breakfast news, the London addition, there was a story about overcrowding on the London Underground.
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Reputation must be based on substance, not just sparkle
October 2, 2009 | Written by Duncan Hart
A story in today’s newspapers that caught my eye reveals how a ruby originally thought to be worth £11 million was one of the key assets of a construction company. However, the sparkle vanished from the so-called Gem of Tanzania – and the company as a whole – when it became clear its valuation documentation [...]
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Corporate reputation derailed by bad timing
August 5, 2009 | Written by Duncan Hart
There’s 48 hours of industrial action due on one of the major train lines into London, starting tomorrow. Annoyingly enough, it’s on the line that takes me into the office – National Express. And so my journey to and from work over the next two days will be difficult if the strike goes ahead. OK, [...]
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