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| November, 2003 | The
Monthly Newspaper of the NYSSCPA |
Vol.
6, No. 11 |
Open Channels
Members’ Experience with the Press
By Lois Whitehead, Public Relations Manager
Media relations: definitely a contact sport. Whether you communicate by phone or e-mail, or you press the flesh with the press, the important thing to remember is to keep connecting with them.
Members of the New York State Society of CPAs have had continual connections with the media over their careers.
Sandra Napoleon-Hudson has participated in 40 media interviews, four on cable television. Her first interview with a Gannett newspaper 15 years ago—offering funny tax-season stories—led to an enduring relationship with that reporter, who still takes quotes from her from time to time. To maintain contact with the media, Napoleon-Hudson recommends that you always return a reporter’s call to be accessible, and think of someone else to recommend if you can’t respond. She adds that you should watch what you say, don’t answer too quickly, and keep your answers simple, avoiding professional jargon.
Kevin McCoy asked a local television reporter to send him questions in advance of his first interview, which also happened to be about taxes. Previewing questions is a practice McCoy recommends to other CPAs. McCoy notes that his firm responds to interviews to the degree that they are ethically allowed, but always on a timely basis.
Michelle A. Cohen contacted local media to attend a multiple disciplinary practice seminar. A reporter from the Rochester Business Journal attended, stayed two hours and contacted her the next day to verify facts.
Don Kiamie’s first experience with the media happened while attending a SEC Conference, where he sat next to a Wall Street Journal reporter. The reporter asked Kiamie several questions and called him the following day. Later, as an adjunct professor at Pace University, he appeared on a local Westchester television program to discuss how his work experience added dimension to his teaching. He regularly participates in the annual small business hotline sponsored by the The Journal News and has published articles in The Journal of Accountancy.
One of the most exciting moments in Alan J. Straus’ 25-year relationship with the media was when he saw his quote in the business section of The New York Times. Often, reporters have called on him for informational interviews to tap his expertise, but his name wouldn’t show up in the article. Straus has found that such reporters are familiar with financial topics, but since many have no experience in accounting, they lose sight of what is important. He has found that in the majority of cases reporters who use him for background will call again for him to be quoted in an article.
New Series Begins on ABC Eyewitness News
WABC-TV in New York has signed on Society members for a five-minute Saturday morning segment beginning early November. The first six segments will cover “Love and Money” issues, and will feature Alan Kahn, Ginger Broderick and Ed Slott. President Jeffrey Hoops will also participate in future tax shows.
The series is scheduled to run through May, with a short break for Christmas.
Add media moments to your business life today by contacting me at 212-719-8405 or lwhitehead@nysscpa, or Sanjay Paranandi, public relations specialist, at 212-719-8364 or sparanandi@nysscpa.org.
