Talking Point

Barrie told me about Kevin

2012-02-24T12:24:33+11:00

To rework Channel 9 Melbourne’s famous 6pm News promo of the 1980s (Brian Told Me), it was Barrie who told me about Kevin as leader.

Angry Julia loses it for a minute

2012-02-23T14:30:53+11:00

It’s a blip in the scheme of things but a clear case of Do As I Say, Not Do As I Do. I’m talking about Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s ticking off of a journalist at her media conference this morning.

Fishy tales of looking a gift horse in the mouth

2012-02-22T09:10:00+11:00

Not all gift giving is good PR. I’ve never sent a present to a head-hunter – it seems too “try hard.” Americans do most things differently and it seems they’re not shy about sending recruiters a post-meeting gratuity.

Social media spin and the emperor's new clothes

2012-02-22T08:44:00+11:00

By Craig Regan Social media shouldn’t be a mystery. The mechanics of the medium might confuse sometimes but it’s basically another communication channel with its own nuances. One is an ability to engage one-on-one – where both parties are willing...

Three watershed moments for Julia Gillard's leadership

2012-02-21T09:04:00+11:00

Are you sick of the Prime Ministerial soap opera? Take a holiday overseas or become a hermit. The Press Gallery loves a good leadership stoush - so prepare to hear much, much more.

Laotian tourism deaths an exercise in poor issues management

2012-02-20T08:55:00+11:00

There has been a torrent of articles following the recent deaths of Australians in Laos and the near death of another. Much of this negative publicity calls for fresh regulations in the local tourism industry and prosecutions of people breaking the already existing (and fairly lenient) rules.

Whitney funeral will be media- managed to keep the peace

2012-02-17T14:05:00+11:00

The news that Whitney Houston’s publicist has arranged footage of the late singer’s funeral service throws a spotlight on a lesser-known media management practice called “pooling.”

Changing of the guard: Cooked to perfection

2012-02-17T08:45:00+11:00

apple, mac, steve, jobs, tim, cook, trust, public, relations, pr, shareholders

Press Gallery influence and coming up the middle in a two-horse race

2012-02-16T12:52:14+11:00

The political parlance is “coming up the middle” and it refers to a dark horse candidate taking advantage of the inability of front-runners to muster a majority of votes. Like jockeys riding Melbourne Cup prospects, Bill Shorten and Stephen Smith both want to sit off the leaders and only make their run when the finish line comes into sight.

Kiss this: Presidential primaries are an expensive anachronism

2012-02-15T14:35:48+11:00

primaries, US, USA, election, presidential, online, media