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Public Relations

How to Navigate Seeking Retractions From Journalists: A Publicist’s Perspective

One of a publicist’s worst nightmares is having our clients misrepresented in any way, shape, or form after communicating with a trusted journalist.

Unfortunately, as extremely rare as it is, it does happen, and it’s not fun for anyone to have to navigate it for many easily avoidable reasons.

In PR, we are always expected to bring our A-game, and, as such, we expect the same of journalists.

Retractions Frequency

When either a journalist with limited experience and/or a lack of attention to detail makes an error that’s not just factually incorrect, it’s a person’s reputation at stake. One would think a journalist would be so concerned with their own reputation that they would never take liberties with a source, but in my experience, it has happened once.

That said, one time is a million times too many in PR for a client to be improperly cited as a source by a trusted journalist.

How to Navigate

The first thing to do if this happens to you is to hop on the phone quickly.

If you have access to the journalist’s professional phone contact information, clearly state the issue, the corrections needed, and why they are factually inaccurate.

Not one publicist on this green earth wants to make that call, but we absolutely will. I did, concerning a journalist at a Top-Tier 1 publication. I will not reveal who, as I should hope this journalist evolves professionally after this grave error in judgment on their part.

It feels absolutely gross having to manage the work of a journalist that you, as a publicist, have placed your faith in to report the facts about your client.

If you don’t have access to a phone number, my next suggestion is to send an email. Before emailing the journalist in question, locate their editor’s contact email and cc them as well. Mark the email as:

“TIME SENSITIVE: CORRECTION REQUEST” 

And yes, use all caps in the email subject line, followed by the article’s headline. Then, in the email body, clearly state the issue, what corrections are needed, why they are factually inaccurate, and cite the URL.

Also, take it a step further in the email by stating that you are requesting that all platforms where this incorrectly reported article was syndicated be updated as well. Because we all know how the Internet functions, information does not solely live on the media publication’s article link alone; news media articles are syndicated to larger platforms, and especially now with MSN, AOL, and YAHOO! in particular, we often see these articles get further distribution because media publications have worked out distribution deals with these digital properties to compete with their own media publication competitors for expanded visibility. It doesn’t stop there; social media platforms, etc.

So you can see, it’s a very big fucking problem that could and should be avoided by simply paying attention to the facts. 

It’s not at all what we like to see as publicists, when a journalist does not clarify details and takes factually incorrect liberties with our client’s reputation, because our job as publicists is to ensure that never occurs.

Never. 

Still, when I place my faith in a journalist, as a publicist, I am always taking a calculated risk.

In my entire career, this has happened once.

That said, I have had this journalist cite my client once before and thought I could depend on them, but I learned they are not a journalist I can or will trust in the future.

I will never correspond with this journalist again. Never.

What we all know to be true is that experience is what you get when you don’t get what you want. Having a journalist misframe my client is an experience that has taught me that, while many journalists have words for PR professionals and rightfully so, it does happen on the other side as well.

When that goes down, the true character of journalistic integrity or a lack thereof will be on display.

Simply put, journalists do not expect to be anything other than held professionally accountable when this occurs, as your work should be held to the same ethical standard to which I and all those I represent hold ourselves.

As public relations professionals, we are expected to bring our A-game and align only with journalists who share that same high level of professionalism.

Fact-checking people. The effort you, as a journalist, put into reporting the facts is how you will be remembered by us publicists, by our clients, and by your own audience. That’s your own reputation; don’t fuck it up.

ABOUT DYLAN THOMAS COTTER:

Rebel with a cause, driven by authenticity, self-expression, and liberation for all.

Dylan Thomas Cotter is a strategist, public relations leader, and brand communications executive with more than fifteen years of experience at the intersection of entertainment, media, and technology.

Cotter is known for securing numerous Tier 1 (top-tier) and Tier 2 media placements across key markets including but not limited to GQ, Rolling Stone, Out Magazine, The Advocate, Pride, Inked Magazine, Real Simple, VICE, KTLA, Reader’s Digest, Mashable, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Life UK, Newsweek, Men’s Health, Parade Magazine, Betches, U.S. News & World Report, Women’s Health Magazine, NursingColleges.com, Women.com, South China Morning Post, Truthout, MIC, The Manual, Curl Magazine, International Business Times UK, TechRound, GB News, The Irish Star US, The Mirror, MSNand AOL.

Cotter is an advisor to founders, artists, and executives on brand positioning, reputation, corporate social responsibility, and strategic communications. As an openly gay transgender professional, Dylan Thomas Cotter is committed to fostering inclusive, respectful, and affirming work environments.

His latest book, THINK LIKE A TRANSGENDER THOUGHT LEADER, is out now, and his memoir, TRANSGENDER & TRIGGERING THE LIFE OF DYLAN THOMAS COTTER, is available now at Barnes & Noble, Harvard Book Store, Book Soup, and Skylight Books, amongst other fine retailers, and is distributed worldwide through IngramSpark.

11 Thought Leadership Press Quotes From Transgender Activist, Author, and Publicist Dylan Thomas Cotter

On Transgender Healthcare

As seen in Rolling Stone:

As seen on NursingColleges.com

On Queer Representation in Media

As seen in Rolling Stone:

On Government Oppression and Transgender Rights

As seen in TruthOut:

Advocating for Women

As seen in The Irish Star US:

As seen in TechRound:

Read full article: https://techround.co.uk/artificial-intelligence/it-may-not-be-intentional-but-ai-bias-is-real-and-its-already-distorting-real-world-outcomes-experts-comment/

On Performance Reviews

As seen in The Irish Star US:

On Festival Planning

As seen in The Irish Star US:

On Entertainment Ticket Sales

As seen in The Irish Star US:

On Event Communications

As seen in The Irish Star US:

On Expert Entertainers

As seen in the Express US:

ABOUT DYLAN THOMAS COTTER:

Rebel with a cause, driven by authenticity, self-expression, and liberation for all.

Dylan Thomas Cotter is a strategist, public relations leader, and brand communications executive with more than fifteen years of experience at the intersection of entertainment, media, and technology.

Cotter is known for securing numerous Tier 1 (top-tier) and Tier 2 media placements across key markets including but not limited to GQ, Rolling Stone, Out Magazine, The Advocate, Pride, Inked Magazine, Real Simple, VICE, KTLA, Reader’s Digest, Mashable, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Life UK, Newsweek, Men’s Health, Parade Magazine, Betches, U.S. News & World Report, Women’s Health Magazine, NursingColleges.com, Women.com, South China Morning Post, Truthout, MIC, The Manual, Curl Magazine, International Business Times UK, TechRound, GB News, The Irish Star US, The Mirror, MSN and AOL.

Cotter is an advisor to founders, artists, and executives on brand positioning, reputation, corporate social responsibility, and strategic communications. As an openly gay transgender professional, Dylan Thomas Cotter is committed to fostering inclusive, respectful, and affirming work environments.

His latest book, THINK LIKE A TRANSGENDER THOUGHT LEADER, is out now, and his memoir, TRANSGENDER & TRIGGERING THE LIFE OF DYLAN THOMAS COTTER, is available now at Barnes & Noble, Harvard Book Store, Book Soup, and Skylight Books, amongst other fine retailers, and is distributed worldwide through IngramSpark.

4 Ways to Spot a PR Relationship

In the world of entertainment, sometimes things and people are not all as they seem.

I’m gonna talk about something that far fewer will in public relations: public figures who partner up for cross-visibility and promotion by projecting an image of being in a romantic couple when they in fact are in a PR couple.

Again, this is an ethics point for me; I wouldn’t advise people to falsify a relationship because I don’t represent those who don’t remain true to their authentic selves.

That said, when I see a PR couple appear in the press, these are a few indicators that jump out to me:

  1. The level of communication energy expelled into the “hard launch”: if there’s an image released anywhere- the press, social media, etc. that is partnered with a lengthy caption, it’s a red flag to me. That is because when lengthy language appears from whoever is publicly disclosing the two parties in question, it is, if sincere, short, sweet, and effortlessly to the point. Love is an energy that can be authentically conveyed to the public in the smallest of gestures and words, so there’s no need to sell hard; any lengthy hard launch as opposed to a reserved soft launch in terms of messaging communicates that there may in fact be something here to question the validity of.
  2. Timing. It’s important to consider the timing of the release to the general public that a “new couple” has emerged. Think about it: if someone who just exited a relationship one week hard launches another one the next week, there’s room there to be suspect of how all things came to be or not to be, as that will be the question of discerning minds.
  3. An increased frequency of public displays of affection early on in the “new relationship” in terms of everyday life and social media posts. If in PR, as in marketing, we are looking to really sell an image of something, consistent repetition and messaging is key to reinforcing the existence of what a publicist is trying to get you to believe.
  4. A noticeably large increase in media placements speaking on both parties as a “new couple”. Now, let’s talk celebrity: if a known celebrity is going to be referenced in an article, a professional journalist is going to have to vet the authenticity of facts, and that’s only going to be breaking news for so long. To really extend the visibility of the “new couple,” entertainment publicists will want to coordinate coverage, and the easiest way to do so is to work with both teams to get on the same page. Considering the regular amount of press public figures get, if you notice for a string of days, weeks, or months much more of an uptick in a public figure’s press presence who has been stagnant within their career, chances are they could have agreed to enter a PR relationship to help keep their image fresh in the media by the ongoing association with another public figure.

That is why I detest certain aspects of PR, because some people will lie about anything. I’m someone who has zero tolerance for bullshit.

I am a publicist with ethics and integrity, which means I would never represent clients who would deliberately misrepresent themselves, personally or professionally.

Other Reasons Public Figures May Enter Into PR Relationships

Unfortunately, this world can be homophobic and transphobic. That can be rather scary for someone who feels their entire career hinges on public perception and who may also be in the closet. In this instance, I understand, but I’d never take on a client in the closet to begin with.

That may sound harsh, but self-love and acceptance are my personal brand. For that reason, I wouldn’t work to conceal someone’s sexuality because that would go against everything I am about as a proud and vocal gay transgender man and activist. But don’t fret, closeted gays and eggs; there’s always gonna be someone in Hollywood you can pay to shield what you find shame in; however, there’s no shame in my game.

So while I have compassion for those who may be in the closet and that is why they enter into hetero-framed public PR relationships, I do not respect or support it.

Coming out isn’t easy, but it’s worth it not just to the individual but also, collectively, to every other person who shares a queer identity in this country and especially during this time in history. When public figures come out simply by living their lives authentically and inclusive of their true sexualities, actual partners, and gender identities, it’s substantially way healthier for the public to see that.

In fact, it positively impacts public perception more than not by showcasing the confidence of queer love in entertainment.

On a personal note, I would encourage you to reconsider doing business with any publicist who would ever encourage you as their client to falsify a relationship during a career lull to keep you in some form of media and public view, as I find that unethical.

Think about it: what “new couples” right now are the entertainment media attempting to shove down your throat, and why is that?

ABOUT DYLAN THOMAS COTTER:

Rebel with a cause, driven by authenticity, self-expression, and liberation for all.

Dylan Thomas Cotter is a strategist, public relations leader, and brand communications executive with more than fifteen years of experience at the intersection of entertainment, media, and technology.

Cotter is known for securing numerous Tier 1 (top-tier) and Tier 2 media placements across key markets including but not limited to GQ, Rolling Stone, Out Magazine, The Advocate, Pride, Inked Magazine, Real Simple, VICE, KTLA, Reader’s Digest, Mashable, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Life UK, Newsweek, Men’s Health, Parade Magazine, Betches, U.S. News & World Report, Women’s Health Magazine, NursingColleges.com, Women.com, South China Morning Post, Truthout, MIC, The Manual, Curl Magazine, International Business Times UK, TechRound, GB News, The Irish Star US, The Mirror, MSN and AOL.

Cotter is an advisor to founders, artists, and executives on brand positioning, reputation, corporate social responsibility, and strategic communications. As an openly gay transgender professional, Dylan Thomas Cotter is committed to fostering inclusive, respectful, and affirming work environments.

His latest book, THINK LIKE A TRANSGENDER THOUGHT LEADER, is out now, and his memoir, TRANSGENDER & TRIGGERING THE LIFE OF DYLAN THOMAS COTTER, is available now at Barnes & Noble, Harvard Book Store, Book Soup, and Skylight Books, amongst other fine retailers, and is distributed worldwide through IngramSpark.