The Mic Is Always On
Newsletter #85
This Week:
Don’t Get Caught By a Hot Mic
ICYMI: How a News Director Calls the Shots (Literally)
Food for Thought
Before We Go…
1. Avoid a Hot Mess from Hot Mics
Last week, President Trump was caught on a hot mic sharing details about his conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin to French President Emmanuel Macron.
Regardless of your political stance, one truth remains: gaffes like these should never happen, and as much as we don’t love to point fingers, the responsibility primarily lies with the communications staff’s protection practices, but the principal will ultimately need to be hyper-aware and on message.
Whether you are a politician, a bureaucrat, a celebrity, or a spokesperson, hot mic slip-ups are a nightmare scenario for any organization. They are so common that several years ago, Time Magazine even compiled a “Top 10 Hot Mic Moments” list showcasing some of the most notorious examples, and this week, the Associated Press offered these hot mic examples with this lede, “Behold the power of the humble hot mic.” (Hat tip: Jim Long)
2. ICYMI: An Interview with Jeffrey Blount Veteran NBC News Director & Author
Ever wonder how live shows are produced? How are shots selected? How do directors decide who to showcase? We asked an expert news director.
Withover three decades of experience at NBC News as a television news director, Jeffrey Blount has directed major broadcasts, including Meet The Press, NBC Nightly News, The Today Show in DC and NY, The Chris Matthews Show, and The Sunday Today Show. He was director of Meet The Press when it extended from a half hour show to an hour and reaching number one in the ratings. Blount also managed large-scale broadcast projects, provided media training for NBC executives and talent, and directed numerous presidential speeches, White House press conferences, and breaking news events.
3. Food for Thought
A segment where we share some bite-sized insights from communications experts.
4. Before We Go…
From Namechecker.org | A free resource to help you quickly check social handle availability.
Need to open new social channels? This is a handy, quick research tool that checks the availability of social handles across more than 100 different sites. It’s not foolproof, but it’s a quick first step before you go down the rabbit hole of in-depth research.
From Wirecutter | Yes, your TV is probably spying on you. Your fridge, too. Here’s what they know.
Smart devices in your home are constantly collecting data about you, often selling it to the highest bidder. Here’s exactly what they know, and how that data is being utilized.
From Pew Research | Americans’ views of global threats differ by party, age
Seven-in-ten Americans view the spread of false information online as a major threat facing the nation in 2025. Many also see terrorism, the condition of the global economy, climate change and the spread of infectious diseases as major threats.
From Zaria Parvez on LinkedIn | The queen of chaos marketing is leaving Duolingo.
Those who work in social media are certain to know about Zaria Parvez, the social media ingenue behind the Duolingo owl. She was one of the first professionals to fully understand how brands should engage on TikTok, and built a model that has since been emulated by hundreds of other companies.
Cracker Barrel recently rebranded, and people weren’t happy when the new logo revealed that the founder and iconic barrel had been removed. The Daily Mail brings an analysis.
Much like a hot mic, The EO Report is always on. Forward this to someone who loves PR analysis and tips.