Make Friends At Your Local Newspaper Before There Is A Pressing Need

Smart CEOs make friends with their local newspaper’s key personnel before there is a pressing need. In this era of scandals of the highest order, management can fall into the trap of viewing media professionals as enemies. Instead, view them as potential allies, and make friends with them if you can. Write…call…ask for an in person meeting. Do whatever it takes. But do it when things are going well, not when “all heck breaks loose.”

Most newspapers have editorial boards that consist of the papers’ top executives. The purpose of the editorial board is to meet and assess what position the paper should take in its editorial direction. Typically, the team consists of the publisher, editor, managing editor, editorial page editor and reporters.

You need to know editorial boards…

• If you want to get support for a cause or issue concerning your company.
• When you have news pending that you want to offer on an “embargoed” basis. This is possibly highly sensitive news and you want to have an “off the record” conversation to enhance the perception of your position and your favorable media coverage.
• If you want an opportunity to present “your side” of a story (although, realistically, understand that they probably won’t change their position).
• If you feel that a reporter might “have it out” for you or your company, and that you are not getting, or might not get, fair coverage.
• If you are a new CEO and your local paper covers local business news.

Keep in touch and always try to give a little extra.