How the Media Manipulates the News

Thursday, October 16, 2008

(What to Do When Mike Wallace Knocks on the Door)

Reports surface alleging financial malfeasance by one of your employees... there's been an incident of workplace violence... a Plain Dealer reporter wants a quote about a story damaging to your company... an elected officials is spreading rumors that your firm has a conflict of interest... The New York Times is calling and you don't know why... the Fox 8 I-Team is knocking on the door... Mike Wallace from 60 Minutes is at the front desk waiting for your client...

What happens when an "investigative journalist" bursts into your voice with cameras blazing and a microphone in your face? Do you have any rights? Is there any way to control the situation?

They say it takes a lifetime to build a reputation and only a few seconds to destroy one. In a split second you could ind yourself in a position where you need to know how to handle the media or be a public spokesperson. Would you know what to do or how to respond?

This fast-paced talk by Cleveland crisis comm & media specialist Bruce Hennes will give you the tools you, your firm or your client need to defend yourselves against a press onslaught. No fluff -- just an inside peek at how reporters – and television, in particular - manipulate the news.

Our guest speaker is Bruce M. Hennes, Managing Partner of Hennes Communications, a crisis communications, media training and media relations consulting firm based in Cleveland. Serving corporations, government agencies, nonprofits and individuals who are "on trial" in the court of public opinion, Hennes Communications also offers litigation communication support and public relations services to their clients.

Hennes has over 30 years experience working in politics and public relations. He now counts among his current and former clients such companies as Avery Dennison, Beachwood Place, British Petroleum, Degussa, Forest City Enterprises, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, Hitachi Truck, John Carroll University, KeyBank, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, NASA, Westfield Insurance and Corky & Lenny's.

Hennes serves on the governing board of the Business Emergency Planning Association and the is one of the founders of the FBI Citizens Academy Foundation of Cleveland. He is also a Graduate Lecturer in Advanced Communications/Media Relations for Public Officials in the Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University and he frequently speaks before bar and trade associations. Hennes is also a member of the board of the Press Club of Cleveland, a member of the Public Relations Society of America and an associate member of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association. Hennes recently received certification in Effective Communications from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Hennes is also of counsel to Levick Strategic Communications in Washington, DC. (2005 Crisis Agency of the Year – The Holmes Report).

Where
Holiday Inn Cleveland South
6001 Rockside Road
Independence, OH 44131

When
Registration 11:30am

Program
12:00pm - 1:30pm

RSVP by October 10, 2008

SMPS Member $30
Non-Member $40