The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson 222: To Catch a Corporate Operative: The "Network News" Hit Piece
Today’s podcast sheds light on a new dirty trick used by special interest groups and people who are activist-minded. It takes a look at an article by NPR, “She Was an ABC News Producer. She Also Was a Corporate Operative,” and reveals how Kristen Hentschel used her previous work experience as a journalist to challenge Toby Overdorf, a candidate for the Florida House of Representatives, while working as an advocate for a political consulting firm.
This episode covers a brief overview of the story, why you need to be aware of this dirty trick if you work in communication, media, news, or a leadership-related position, and what you should bear in mind if facing an activist-minded foe. A second twist follows...
Key Points From This Episode:
- Insight into the article “She Was an ABC News Producer. She Also Was a Corporate Operative,” and why it’s relevant to listeners of this podcast.
- A brief overview of the story.
- How this story reveals a new tactical strategy used by activists.
- The statement released by ABC denying that Kristen Hentschel worked for them.
- The twist of Kristen Hentschel working as a journalist while simultaneously working as an advocate.
- How this relates to a situation faced by one of Molly’s clients with an activist-minded foe.
- An interesting twist relating to Kristin’s previous career as a journalist under a different name.
- The Indestructible PR® tip for the day for identifying or dealing with fake or former journalists.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
"She was an ABC News producer. She also was a corporate operative"
If you work in strategy or communication, join Molly on December 17 at 12 PM ET for a 60-minute live media training that breaks down a crisis in real time. RFK Jr is being hit from two sides at once. Now Olivia Nuzzi’s memoir is out, weeks after Tatiana Schlossberg’s essay landed a punch. We'll walk through the headlines, the data, the sentiment, press coverage, then map out what a competent response would actually look like. Click here to attend.
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