Care and compassion - just what's needed

After the tragic death of Rhys Jones on Wednesday evening, there was the inevitable frenzy of media attention as to how and why such an incident could occur. For the police team running the investigation, dealing with this kind of intense media pressure can be extremely challenging as they are required to simultaneously do their job and give the media regular updates. On BBC Breakfast the morning after the shooting, Chief Constable Simon Byrne was giving a live 'down the line' interview from Liverpool. His compassionate and measured response to the often tough questioning about how the investigation was being run was the perfect example of how to handle a crisis situation. In these types of interivew it is very easy to simply respond to the interviewer's line of questioning. The key is to take the initiative, to show care and understanding and to reassure your audience that you and your organisation are in control of what is often a very difficult situation.

A right Royal Mail result

What a difference a day makes! Over the weekend General Sir Richard Dannatt was seen on national TV highlighting the fact that soldiers are still being charged postage by the Royal Mail whilst on duty abroad.

This comment comes after relatives signed a petition asking the Government to pick up the bill for post to troops overseas.

Within 24 hours news had broken on the BBC website that the Royal Mail will shortly be announcing free post for our brave boys. A perfect example of someone using the media to get their message across and harnassing the power of public opinion to get the result the families wanted.

Suitable surnames!

Is it us, or are increasing numbers of spokespeople seeming perfectly suitably named for the organizations they represent?

Last night, BBC South Today reported on the controversy surrounding the giant sheep advertisement – part of a campaign to promote Quality Standard lamb in the light of the recent foot-and-mouth outbreak – staked to a hillside on the side of the M3.

Mo Herd from the English Beef and Lamb Executive will no doubt be disappointed this morning that the sheep will be removed after safety fears were raised.

Mo’s old colleague from her days at the Meat & Livestock Commission – Amanda Lamm – might also agree.

This morning we hear from the RSPB’s conservation director Dr Mark Avery (pity about the spelling) that climate change is to blame for a drop in the number of some birds that visit Britain each winter.

And what drew Edward Funnell to the Comms department at ATOC – the Association of Train Operating Companies? Sean Trainor at Network Rail might be able to shine a light on that one.

And finally to Malcolm Weatherall, Public Weather Service Consultant at the Met Office…

Keep it simple...

We're glad to see increasingly more column inches are being dedicated to the findings of medical research. This is due in part to the realisation amongst the science community that simplifying the explanation of often complex concepts can ensure a wider take up by the media.

How better illustrated by today's 'Junk Food Babies' report.

Co-authored by Dr Stephanie Bayol, of the Royal Veterinary College in London and Neil Stickland the report found that rats fed on a diet high in processed foods such as doughnuts and crisps during pregnancy and lactation gave birth to offspring that overate and had a preference for foods rich in fat, sugar and salt compared with rats on a regular diet. Dr Bayol’s team argues that similar trends could be expected in people.

Simple and moderately effective.

But our favourite summing up of the report has to come from Sue Macdonald, education research manager at the Royal College of Midwives.

"Pregnant women should not take from this that they can never have a doughnut, just don’t have ten.”

Sometimes, one line is all it takes!

Vain internet users reach for the airbrush!

An article in yesterday's Daily Telegraph highlights perfectly the vanity of users of social networking and dating websites. Apparently image-conscious web users have created a 550 per cent increase in requests for airbrushing services, according to photo specialist Snappy Snaps. Technology offers those striving to achieve a flawless look the chance to have crooked teeth straightened, dark shadows removed, wrinkles erased and bodies slimmed - virtually - and at a fraction of the cost of actual surgery. Internet psychologist and Media First trainer, Graham Jones, says in the piece, "It does not suprise me that they want to airbrush things they feel make them look bad. It is about how the person inside feels about themselves and it makes them feel more positive."

It's that time of year!

Listening to the review of today's newspapers on the radio, highlighted perfectly what time of year it is. Not one of the newspaper editors could agree on what should be the main lead today.
Plus the added running saga of sharks off the coast of Cornwall shows it really is time for a holiday!

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