Intercultural communication teamwork and leadership/Negative and crisis communications/Press releases and conferences
Read Section 17.4: Press conferences, in Saylor Academy (Ed.) 2012. Business Communication for Success. (See page(s) 671-677 in PDF version.)
This reading discusses the purposes of press conferences, what and how to prepare, and how to conduct them. Communication to the public through the media requires attention to different forms of media to meet audience information needs, professionalism in both nonverbal and verbal presentation, and preparation of responses to likely questions.
You may find it helpful to watch the following video from Saylor Academy [3:48 min.], which summarises the reading. As you view it, consider the pros and cons of deciding to hold a press conference.
View video – 2015 World Bank-IMF Spring Meetings Press Briefing. [2:27 min.] This video provides a recent real-world example of a press briefing to open an important annual world economy meeting.
View University of Kansas website Community Toolbox: Arranging a Press Conference.
- The information on this website expands on ‘how-to’ press conference guidance on setting up a conference room, pacing a conference, and following up on conference results. What are the key participant roles in press conferences described in this resource and your text?
Do the Chapter exercise. Remember to choose only one scenario to prepare your press statement and answers to at least five possible questions.
