This was part of the buzz in ag media at Commodity Classic today. You can click on the photo to get a big enough version to read.
Commodity Classic Media Room Etiquette. Are you kidding? What’s that all about? I’ve never heard of such a thing and I dare say I’ve been to a few media rooms and not just for ag events. I’d love for you to post your comments, especially items 4 and 6.
The rules here for media are getting a little bit “over the top.” No other organization or media room that I have worked in is quite this severe and strict and none of them ever have any problems other than an occasional incident here and there. I for one am quite happy to have a public relations professional, farmer or company representative able to visit the media room. Most are very courteous and respectful of the fact that the media room is a working environment. I’d use the media room that NCBA runs for the Cattle Industry Convention as an example of one of the best that I know of. Or perhaps the Farm Progress Show media tent, which is also sponsored by New Holland.
2009 Commodity Classic Photo Album
AgWired coverage of the 2009 Commodity Classic
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Since I’m not a broadcaster at the moment and I’m not there I’ll speak freely here. I highly doubt that they have the time or the energy to solicit each individual’s work to make sure it’s up to their standards. I have always found it interesting that they tried to kick out my local commodity’s state media person when he was bringing me and others interviews a few years ago…oh and let’s not forget the other larger companies having their meetings in the “other” side of the media room while broadcasters were attempting to put shows on the air. Oh and let’s not forget that although they know how many broadcasters they will have on hand, there are never enough phone lines nor enough wifi or hard wired internet connections to get their message out about the commodity groups and their meeting that they are there to cover. Stepping down from the soap box….
respectfully submitted,
Leah Guffey
Wow. I have some comments, but would probably get in trouble. Leah put it well. Chuck, you’re right– they could learn from the livestock crowd.
Talk about overkill! So, work only, no schmoozing — which is half the value of being there.
Thanks for bringing this to our attention. We’ve added some more Internet connections to help accommodate everyone using the media room and will be assessing the media’s needs with the help of some media folks who were here.
Your feedback is important to us. It will help us consider improvements for next year.
We appreciate all the efforts of the media who attend Commodity Classic and want this to be a great experience for everyone!
Thanks,
Nancy
Having managed media centers in my previous life for both the pork and beef industry, I prided myself in “doing it right” and making it as “painless” as possible for the media to do their job and in-turn they told my organization’s story. I also realized the importance of other “influencers” such as pr professionals, association staff, producers and station and publictaion sales reps and allowed them access to my media centers as long as they didn’t interfere with a reporter’s duties. The only thing I didn’t allow was other company information in the news center if they weren’t the enws center sponsor. I did provide them a table to display their information on a table right outside the news center.
Point 4 in this “rules’ letter states that they retain the right to examine samples of a news work product to dtermine a person’s qualifications. PLEASE!!!!!!!! Like someone will go out of their way to pretend being a journalist so they can eat stale pastries, sip luke-warm coffee and spend the bulk of their convention time in a convention center meeting room. Who are these people?
Through the years, I have seen those who do it right with regard to media relations and then there are those that don’t get it. Our friends who developed this list are in the latter. These days an organization needs all the help it can get with telling it’s story, that includes being flexible and working with any influencer group that can help you tell your story. Chuck, thanks for sharing this note with those in the pr/communicatuions industry.
I really appreciate all the feedback. I’m sure this is a situation that can be remedied with a little more interaction and understanding and I’m committed to helping that effort.
BTW. Gene Hemphill is quite aware of concerns that media attendees have and would like to make it clear that he is not responsible for the policies and decisions on the actual management of the CC media room.
As many in the media know, Gene is one of the most helpful and understanding supporters of ag media there is. In fact, he runs the media tent at Farm Progress all by himself and I would point to it as a prime example of how to do it right.
We so appreciate Gene’s support of the Classic Media Room and we’re committed to making things better.
Thanks Nancy. But, it’s pretty obvious what (or, I should say who) the problem in the media room. Email complaints re: this individual to scensky@soy.org. Time for this to stop!
Chuck & Cindy, thanks for being committed to this. I will help you however I can although, not an active broadcaster at this point. I will be again and have always enjoyed my interaction with folks at Classic. It has always been a problem in the media room as egos swell and power of being in charge takes over. It is evident. I think that Observer is right, although he or she should post their real name. The problems have been expressed in the past and fallen on deaf ears time and time again. I talked many ears off about it in the past. Gene is an amazing sponsor and when he’s in control of a media room he does it right! Good luck and keep us “posted”.
Missed seeing everyone this year. I’ll be back next year!
Okay. Now what does, “I’ll be back next year!” mean?