On Deadline: Managing Media Relations, Third Edition

by Wilma K. Mathews, Wilma K. Mathews

Building on the success and high standards of its previous two editions, the updated and expanded third edition of On Managing Media Relations maintains its status as the foremost book on media relations in the corporate and nonprofit sectors. From hosting news conferences on the Internet to responding to reporters' queries in an emergency, from creating a media program to sustaining good relationships with journalists, from coaching spokespersons on interview techniques to providing bottom-line measurement and evaluation of media programs, the authors give practical advice based on decades of real-world experience. All aspects of media relations are included, beginning with basic definitions of news and how it gets to the public and building to more sophisticated evaluation and counseling sections. Ethics, media events, and crisis communications all have separate chapters. As well, this edition includes a new chapter on how changes in the media world are changing the media relations job, greatly expanded coverage of international media relations, emphasis on more sophisticated measurement tools focusing on changing opinions and behaviors, new information on how the Internet has affected the practice of media relations, and new and more case histories than ever before. With a clear and fast-moving style, the third edition of On Deadline is a practical guide to effectively managing media relations programs that will help achieve your organization's business goals and make you a valued counselor to management.

Genres: Nonfiction, Business

346 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1988

Reviews

[R.]

I’m only a little frustrated since this is the second time that I will have typed a review for this book. Okay, first off I should state that this was required reading as part of a class through the Defense Information School (DINFOS).

About 90% of the book applies to public, private, and non-profit sectors equally. However, there was a frustrating 10% of the book related to stock prices and quarterly earnings reports and all that stuff that made me want to skip ahead through the book . . . although I didn’t. I suppose there is always a chance that one day it could prove valuable to me in some unforeseen way.

Not a bad book and one that I would recommend to anyone who is likely to encounter the media during their regular affairs. It doesn’t go into depth on things like “how to write a press release,” but instead focuses strictly on business practices related to dealing with the media and how to rock the house at that.

[Ash]

3.5