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Does Your Company Influence Media or Just Fake News?

By William Vogeler, Esq. on December 17, 2018 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

Basketball fans love Steph Curry for his incredible shooting, but he shot an epic air ball when he said he didn't think man landed on the moon.

It was unbelievable that he didn't believe in mankind's giant leap almost 50 years ago. But that was part of the problem; Curry is only 30 years old.

It's also an example of how people -- and companies -- can be media influencers or just part of fake news. Believe it.

Media Influencers

Being a media influencer is the holy grail of public relations. Anybody can write a press release, but getting your message above the fold is gold.

Andy Warhol was right about one thing: everybody gets 15 minutes of fame. To be a media influencer, however, you have to make those moments last.

Today, companies try to do it on social media, websites, and blogs. Here's a tip: Create a "news" page and add press releases, then link any releases you send out to your website.

The key, however, is to have current content and to be prepared for the moment the spotlight is turned on your company. When the media comes to your business, you'll know that you have arrived.

Fake News

But if you give reporters "fake" information, they won't come back. Worse yet, they'll consider you a fake.

Perhaps that's why many lawyers and their clients don't respond to media inquiries: they're afraid. But if they remain silent, it often looks like this: "Lawyers for the company did not respond to calls."

Instead, prepare your best quote and deliver the company message. If you do it right, it could define your company and your career.

Curry, by the way, changed his opinion about the moon landing after talking to an astronaut. But on the world stage, he lost credibility that day he said he didn't believe it.

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