Pierce-P TV

The number one six-o'clock news program is now on ABC with Charlie Gibson. There were many great news anchors: Walter Cronkite, Peter Jennings, Chet Huntley, David Brinkley, Tom Brokaw (to name the ones that come to my mind). And I think Charlie Gibson will be added to these names. He brings the most humanly connected broadcast that is possible on TV. You feel as if he's one of the viewers, with the luck of actually being there among the newsmakers. At first it was "Charles," but he was just too down-to-earth to not be "Charlie."His start on GOOD MORNING AMERICA in 1987 brought a relaxed atmosphere that came with him to the news. This has never diminished the seriousness of the broadcast. Charlie Gibson travels the country and the world to give us the best perspective of events. In fact, I've often wondered when he sleeps considering the many hours he's on the air. His stamina is amazing!The best debate with all the candidates this year was the one Mr. Gibson moderated. After the Republican debate and before the Democratic one, all the contenders were on the stage together. His hope seemed to let the viewers see that these are ... [more..]

A lot of people in the digital signage industry often forget that there are more used for digital out of home media than just advertising. Obviously advertising was one of the foundations for this burgeoning industry and is still a large part of the digital advertising industry.However, more and more alternative uses for digital signage are springing up all the time and many of them have important and potentially life saving applications.Because of it's flexibility in being able to display content uploaded centrally on a networks, really important information is being able to be relayed to the public, particularly in outdoor areas where outdoor digital signage is providing some useful services:Wanted criminals One useful application that law enforcers are beginning to use digital advertising systems is in displaying pictures of wanted criminals. The great advantage of this type of signage is that the traditional mugshot can be beamed onto screens across cities, counties and even states. Traditionally police forces have had to rely on TV and print media for this kind of appeal but with digital signage there is no need to only rely on those that have read the paper that morning or seen the TV news as anybody ... [more..]

I was trapped in paradise--a tenure track Assistant Professor at a small, liberal arts university.I was in clover, but as Dostoyevsky said, the clover wasn't good enough.So, I devised a plan to escape; to sell my teaching services by the day, instead of by the semester, or by the career. Launching a seminar business, by the time my academic year in nirvana had concluded, I was a marketing phenomenon.Emerging from sequestration in a tiny office, I began broadcasting my ideas in interviews on ABC-TV news.On the very last day of the semester, my name was featured on the front page of the local gazette, in various catalogues sent to my colleagues' homes, and in the big-city newspaper to which most of my contemporaries subscribed.Literally, people saw me coming and going.I went from obscurity to fame, seemingly overnight, and most important, I did it on a shoestring. No big bucks were squandered in the making of the new me.Free publicity is a wondrous thing, and just as it helped me to launch a very successful training and consulting business that prospered for decades, it can help you to establish yourself in any occupation or business.But there is one precept you must ... [more..]

People often make mistakes when they're faced with a media interview. I've been on both sides of the fence, as a journalist and a media trainer, and here are my top ten mistakes.1. Not believing that it's your interview as well. Thinking that it's purely the journalist's interview and worrying, therefore, about what you might get asked. Don't forget the lovely quote from former Secretary of State in the USA, Henry Kissinger, as he arrived at a news conference - "does anyone here have any questions to go with my answers?"?"2. Giving in too easily to the media instead of standing up for yourself. I've seen CEOs who wouldn't take any rubbish from people at work submit like a pussycat to the news media - and it's not a pretty sight.3. Agreeing to instant interviews instead of making sure you allow enough time for proper preparation. If you have to lie to the media do so. They could be lying to you to pressure you for an instant interview (by telling you some story about deadline pressures)so use a similar tactic. Tell them you're in a meeting (even if you're not) and that you'll call them back in 20 minutes. ... [more..]

Do you have a great idea for a story, but no clue how to get it in the news? Are you tired of pitching press releases the news media simply ignores?After twenty years of beating the street as a TV reporter, I have a scoop for you: the media needs good stories. But most stories are pitched so poorly, they are lost in the blizzard of faxes that blanket every newsroom.So, here are five steps to increase your chances of getting covered that even some PR pros don't know:1) BE UNUSUALThe old adage about "Man bites dog" still holds true. The news doesn't cover what's normal. We cover the abnormal.PR whiz Carolyn Alvey knew this when she was trying to raise money for a charity several years ago. Instead of holding a garage sale, she sent out a press release announcing a "Celebrity Garage Sale." Everything from Bob Hope's old golf clubs to Roger Staubach's long-neglected neckties were for sale. By making an ordinary garage sale extraordinary, the media was instantly sold on the story.2) BE VISUALReporters tell stories with pictures. If the pictures aren't there, chances are the reporters won't be either.Even the most non-visual story can be made ... [more..]