Step Out of Your Comfort Zone

Before graduating from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with a degree in Corporate Communications with an emphasis in journalism, I was one class away from a degree in the Department of Theatre in the College of Fine Arts. I never thought I would formally use that training, until I was asked to donate my professional resources and theatrical talent, to raise awareness about the critical state of domestic violence in Nevada, for a Public Service Announcement (PSA) short in support of The Shade Tree and of the crisis for funding the organization is experiencing.

This facility, “is the largest shelter of its kind in the state, and is the only 24-hour accessible shelter designed specifically to meet the needs of women and children in Southern Nevada. With 364 permanent beds, THE SHADE TREE provides more than 100,000 nights of shelter each year. On average, 33 percent of their clients are children under the age of 18. Senior citizens represent the fastest growing segment of the population.” It is also the only shelter in the state to accept pets.

The Shade Tree is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. It’s mission is to provide safe shelter to homeless and abused women, children, and their pets in crisis and to offer life changing services promoting stability, dignity and self-reliance.

Here is my interview with KTNV Channel 13. More about the PSA and a private event to come in the future.

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Another Lesson Learned when Speaking with Media

No matter how many times we tell our clients “Off the Record” does not exist, it seems to go in one ear and out the other. It doesn’t matter if your client is a mom and pop shop, the White House or everything in between. Remember, journalists need to attract and retain a large audience through interesting and informative stories, and when we forget who we are talking to we unintentionally give those more than intended.

“Off-air moments during the taping of a television show almost always produce more candid and newsworthy exchanges than those that take place on air. And increasingly, TV personalities, politicians and pundits have found themselves in compromising positions when they’ve been unaware, say, that their microphone is still on.”~ Huffington Post

Here are a few unforgettable reminders of what can happen whether you are a guest or the journalist.

• March 13, 2012 – Yahoo! News / The Cutline’s Dylan Stableford reported ‘AP names administration officials White House did not want quoted.’  According to the story, “The White House organized a conference call with two senior administration officials on Tuesday to “preview an announcement by President Barack Obama about an important China trade issue,” but told reporters on the call not to quote them by name.” And now we all know “The officials were U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and the deputy national security adviser for international economic affairs, Michael Froman.”

• September 11, 2011 Fox News anchors in Philadelphia mock Kourtney and Kim Kardashian after an interview about their new clothing line.

• November 18, 2010 Huffington Post reported ‘Fox News Commentators Caught On Camera Mocking Sarah Palin’s (reality) Show’ that lasted one season.

• September 15, 2009 – Just about every news outlet reported on President Obama’s recording calling Kanye West a “jackass” for jumping on stage during the 2009 VMAs during Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech while waiting to go live on CNBC.

• July 6, 2008 – Rev. Jesse Jackson, while mic’ed and waiting to go live on Fox News “Fox & Friends” made rude and personal remarks about presidential candidate Barrack Obama on how he addresses black people and changing his male anatomy.

• September 4, 2000 – George W. Bush and Vice-President Dick Cheney’s comments about Adam Clymer, a New York Times reporter were less than favorable. GWB: “major league asshole.” VP DC: “big time.”

Microphones are always on. Don’t speak. Dead air is a way to get you to say something, anything.

If you would like more information on in-depth training send an email to Adrienne@2girlsconsulting.com.