This is the first in a series looking at "oops moments" in the news that illustrate why media training is so important.

Even Queen Elizabeth can get burned by an open microphone.  She was recently caught on mic saying some not so polite things about Chinese dignitaries.  Her "oops moment" came just as Britain's Prime Minister also forgot the golden rule--microphones are always "hot," in other words watch what you say when any camera is nearby (or for that matter any cellphone).  

The U.S. VA Secretary is taking some well-deserved flack after he compared veterans waiting for medical appointments at VA facilities, to people waiting in line at Disneyland.  Veteran wait times is a major issue and to say something so insensitive in a media interview, is incomprehensible.  Talk about going off message.  He has since apologized.  On a personal note, my father was a disabled WWII veteran who was treated at VA hospitals for decades.  I am not criticizing his overall care, but I witnessed the wait time issue first hand--as have so many others.  Time to get this problem fixed.

Here's more proof that even those with a lot of media interviews under their belts can blow it...

Former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell tells the the Washington Post there are more ugly women in the United States than pretty ones--and says that's why Donald Trump will lose.  Who thinks this way--let alone says it in a media interview?

Congressman Peter King went on TV recently and used a racial slur to refer to Japanese people.  Then he refused to apologize.  

Can you image the impact it would have on your business if YOU do media interviews and are not sensitive to cultural differences or insult half of your audience?   Media Training can help you avoid the "oops moments."

www.WomenMediaPros.com