FEATURE/Danger still exists in a crisis, but Fortune 500 give media good grade.CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE FEATURES)--Sept. 28, 1995--A recently completed survey of the Fortune 500 regarding attitudes toward the media, particularly in high risk situations, shows reporters receiving an overall grade of ``B'' from corporate America. The poll also indicated that many companies remain vulnerable in their ability to communicate through the media in a crisis as illustrated by the recent Intel Pentium chip fiasco and the alleged connection between Primatene Mist and the death of model Krissy Taylor Kristen Erin "Krissy" Taylor (May 15, 1978 – July 2, 1995) was an American model. Early life Until the time of her death, she lived in South Florida with her parents, Ken and Barbara Taylor, and older sisters Joelle and Nicole ("Niki"), a fellow model. . ``The somewhat uncomfortable relationship between business leaders and the media becomes dangerous during the high stakes High Stakes is a British sitcom starring Richard Wilson that aired in 2001. It was written by Tony Sarchet. The second series remains unaired after the first received a poor reception. risk of product failures and other crises facing a company,'' said Clarke Caywood, department chairman of the Integrated Marketing Department at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism (often just called Medill) is one of the premier journalism, integrated marketing, and media schools in the United States. . ``The study documents that a crisis is not the time to become familiar with the media and the requirements of the press for accurate information,'' added Caywood. Caywood analyzed the findings of the poll conducted by Wixted-Pope-Nora & Associates, a Chicago/ Des Moines-based strategic communications and media & crisis communications Crisis communications are generally considered a sub-specialty of the public relations profession that is designed to protect and defend an individual, company, or organization facing a public challenge to its reputation. training firm. ``The research...confirms issues we have identified (at Northwestern)...that many firms have plans for managing a crisis, but no plan for managing the communications requirements of a crisis.'' Andy Logue, human resources The fancy word for "people." The human resources department within an organization, years ago known as the "personnel department," manages the administrative aspects of the employees. vice president for National Service Industries, Atlanta, and a survey respondent, says his company is trying to improve its speed in responding to the media in a crisis. ``The faster we respond, the faster we get the message out before it's distorted.'' At the same time, Logue adds that forming a message in a crisis requires the input of not one but several people, which makes the communications demands more challenging. Northwestern's Caywood puts responsibility on both business and the media. ``The study...seems to suggest that it's the management responsibility of corporate leaders to understand the role of the media, as much as it is the job of the press to understand their subjects.'' Fortune 500 communications executives were polled in the survey. Highlights include: o When asked what is the worst thing to happen at the hands of a reporter, one executive said a reporter transposed trans·pose v. trans·posed, trans·pos·ing, trans·pos·es v.tr. 1. To reverse or transfer the order or place of; interchange. 2. their company's stock exchange symbol with another and wrote the company had filed for bankruptcy. o Many communications executives worry about the fact that once incorrect information goes in an electronic database it is very difficult to have it corrected. In the meantime Adv. 1. in the meantime - during the intervening time; "meanwhile I will not think about the problem"; "meantime he was attentive to his other interests"; "in the meantime the police were notified" meantime, meanwhile , reporters continue to rely on dated or inaccurate information. o Almost 75 percent of the respondents said their senior officers most fear doing television interviews because they believe the time constraints prevent them from explaining a position. o The biggest criticism of the media was that journalists were perceived as having no background in the subject they cover or are considered biased. o 43 percent of respondents said they would give the media a B in their ability to accurately and fairly cover issues and events concerning their company, 38 percent gave reporters a C, 8 percent said a D, 1 percent said an F and 2 percent gave the media an A. o When asked to name an ``ideal reporter,'' broadcast journalists included veteran Walter Cronkite Walter Leland Cronkite, Jr. (born November 4 1916) is a retired iconic American broadcast journalist, best known as anchorman for The CBS Evening News for 19 years (1962–81). and ABC's Ted Koppel Edward James "Ted" Koppel (born February 8, 1940) is an American journalist, best known as the former anchorman for the American Broadcasting Company's Nightline. of Nightline. Print reporters included Richard L. Berke of the New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of Times, Victoria Griffith of the Financial Times, the Wall Street Journal's Caleb Solomon and Thomas Burton
A complete compilation of results can be obtained by calling Wixted-Pope-Nora & Associates, 312/280-9280. CONTACT: Wixted-Pope-Nora & Associates, Chicago Stephanie Nora, 312/280-9280 |
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