How Not to Get Blown Away by the Media Blamestorm

Date/Time: Monday, February 28, 2011, 6:30 p.m.
Place: 2F Wesley Center, 6-10-11 Minami Aoyama; a map is here, or on their website.

Put your thinking cap on for our next seminar as we discuss modern-day corporate leadership and what it means in the age of social media. We’ll even take a stab at handling our own mini-crisis scenario. What can and should you do to avoid a media blamestorm? How do you divert attention and energy away from a crisis and stay “on message”?

Imagine, for example, that you’re the CEO of a popular airline. A crewmember and an elderly passenger get into an altercation on one of your flights, and the passenger has a heart attack and dies in mid-flight. You learn that shocked and distraught passengers on the plane have already taken to the social networks with YouTube videos and hot Twitter feeds, pointing the finger at your crew for initiating and escalating the altercation. Moreover, every cranky, unsatisfied customer who’s ever had a bad holiday is blaming your company.

In today’s world, where the public demands vision, accountability and social responsibility from major corporate brands, it’s no longer possible for CEOs to merely make pro forma apologies at press sessions. Join us for an enlightening look at how today’s CEOs and companies must deal with customers who are watching their every move.

Combination Plates #1 & #2

“How Not to Get Blown Away by the Media Blamestorm”

The line separating traditional media and social media is blurred at best. How organizations should manage the line, combined with how to control “netizen” journalists, makes media management a challenge. The rules are still being written. But the reality is clear: Many firms are not adequately prepared or taking advantage of the changes.

David Wagner and Shoji Nozomu will discuss these issues as well as challenge the audience to manage a mini-crisis. David will give us a brief look at the TRUST study Edelman has just released, focusing on how trust is viewed from the CEO level. We’ll learn how “public engagement” is being used and how technologies (particularly social networking and social media) are changing traditional ways of corporate communications. Shoji will tell us how various companies are dealing with the realities of an interconnected and vocal customer base. Come prepared to work on your own crisis scenario, as we break into small groups and then come together to discuss what we need to keep in mind as we try to maneuver the new media blamestorm.

Speaker Bios:

David Wagner, who first came to Japan in 1982, is director of the Communications Training Group at Edelman Japan. Prior to that, he headed up the training team at financial PR firm Kreab Gavin Anderson. David has conducted over 4,000 communications skills sessions in Japan, the Asia Pacific, North America and the Middle East for 340 organizations. David is also a writer, having published 19 books for the Japanese market.

Shoji Nozomu is a digital communications consultant at Edelman Japan, where he drives the development and localization of new digital solutions for various clients, leveraging his experience in product marketing and general marketing communications using social media. Before joining Edelman, Shoji worked at Fleishman-Hillard Japan, where he launched the company’s Digital Integration team and developed integrated digital solutions such as corporate/campaign website development, online focus group interviews, community development, SEO/SEM and risk management. Prior to Fleishman, Shoji worked at MySpace Japan where he was responsible for product marketing and overall marketing communications and research for localization and the launch of the mobile version of MySpace.

Be sure to RSVP soon, and plan to arrive early to enjoy the always-delicious culinary creations of To the Moon and Back.

Give us a call if you have trouble finding the venue: 090-2451-0697.

The Media Tectonics Team

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Date: Monday, February 28, 2011
Time: 6:30 p.m. – dinner and networking (catered by To the Moon & Back); 7 p.m. – seminar begins
Location: Wesley Center, 2F, 6-10-11 Minami-Aoyama
Cost: 3,500 yen (prepaid, by February 23); 4,500 yen at the door

Be sure to take advantage of the prepayment discount, and let us know you’re coming so we can make an accurate food order!

RSVP by sending an email here, and transferring funds (by Feb. 23) to:

Resona Bank
Shibuya Branch: 473
Account Type: Futsu
Account Number: 1804222
Account Name: 4M Associates

Or pay via Paypal:

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Have you ever thought about quitting your day job? Starting your own business? But you don’t know where to start and have too many questions with which to pummel your friends? We’re putting together a panel of professionals who have “been there, done that” and are more than happy to answer any questions you throw their way. We’re even requiring them to share some secrets that are guaranteed to save you time, money, gray hairs, and hair pulling. Send in your questions early to info@mediatectonics.com and we’ll do our best to have them answered. Surprise us!