My computer, iPad and iPhone have taken on lives of their own since the Casey Anthony verdict. Buzzing with the fury of a million tweets and just as many Facebook status messages, nearly everyone I know is mortified that the young mother has been found “not guilty.”
Well, I’m not touching that one with a 100 foot pole, at least not in this post. I was personally annoyed by the ubiquitous coverage of the trial itself, all but boycotting CNN for its made-for-TV-movie segments that will surely garner them an Emmy. And quite frankly, Nancy Grace scares me. The bottom line is that I watched very little coverage and read even less about courtroom tactics and spectator shuffles–that is, until the verdict came in.
Then something caught my eye. Not long after the verdict was read and just moments after the formal press statement was delivered by Ms. Anthony’s lawyers, her defense team departed to a bar down the street and partied their hearts out. In one exceptionally fascinating moment, a key attorney literally jumped up and down five times while watching the playback of the sweet, sweet victory on an overhead monitor. There were hugs, kisses and champagne all around. You’d think they won the lottery…and I guess in some way, they had.
After training more than 1,000 people in what to say and do when communicating with the media, this image stopped me cold. If they truly believed her to be innocent, the defense team was relieved their client was found not guilty. This alone might warrant celebration, BUT at that time? That place? On the first floor near the windows, right where any reporter could record their jubilation?
One would think that nearly 30 years after the disastrous interview of Exxon’s Lawrence Raul by Kathleen Sullivan regarding the Valdez, savvy business people would know how to behave during unique and possibly damaging situations. Crisis situations. Media opportunities. Any time or place where you may be asked to defend your position or promote your company. Apparently, Casey Anthony’s lawyers were so lost in their unadulterated joy they did not stop to consider their client is one foot away from being pitchforked the minute she leaves the courthouse.
Their disregard for good taste may not hurt them personally now that their careers are skyrocketing to the top (must make a note of this in case I ever need a really good defense attorney) but the rest of us must play by the rules. If we don’t? Reputations are ruined. Customers don’t buy our products. License to operate is foiled. And if you’re an attorney, you hurt your client. Period.
Let’s brush up, then, on these media basics:
- The camera is always on. Don’t let your guard down when you believe an interview is over. You can be videotaped walking to your car, in and out of the restroom…just about anywhere, any time.
- The microphone is always on. Many people remember Ronald Reagan’s “nuke” joke in the early 80s, but he was just the first in a line celebrities, politicians and business people who failed to remember the microphone was on. Unless you are alone in a padded room, assume there are ears everywhere, let alone microphones.
- The media have a job to do. Be professional but not too comfortable. Nothing is ever off the record.
- Don’t be a Twitter twit. I made that up, but the point is clear. Anything you write via any type of digital media–e-mail, Twitter, Facebook, etc.–will stay with you for the rest of your life.
- Do the right thing. If you don’t want your actions or words taken out of context, then watch your actions and your words. Be a person of integrity.
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Thanks for the great insights, MaryJane! I always tell my clients to keep two criteria in mind: If you (a) wouldn’t want to see it on the 6:00 news, fully attributed to you, and/or (b) wouldn’t want your mom to see it, it doesn’t need to be out there. In our don’t-blink-or-you’ll-miss-it environment of whirlwind communications, it’s easy to get caught up in the frenzy, but a single act of poor judgment can create irreversible damage.
Comment by Rachel Parker July 7, 2011 @ 6:25 pmMaryJane – I couldn’t agree with you more, and it’s true, the microphone is always on – I have recently learned this lesson with “little ears” listening since I have small children!
All in all, the most basic and true comment “Do the right thing. If you don’t want your actions or words taken out of context, then watch your actions and your words. Be a person of integrity”
I always enjoy your blog posts!
Comment by Michelle Acosta July 7, 2011 @ 7:15 pm~ Michelle