I went into Boots to pick up a prescription (nothing serious) and as I was queuing, I spotted a notice about surgical masks. It said they had all been sold out and gave no indication when further stocks would be available. When I asked an assistant if she knew any more, she shrugged her shoulders […]
BBC’s Maitlis: “Just answer the question”
Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis echoed the thoughts of many when she delivered a scathing assessment of the way UK politicians approach media interviews. Speaking at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, she said they rarely answer questions and as often as not will say the opposite of what they really believe. Another annoying development, she said, was […]
Off the record: lessons from the Huawei controversy
The government has become embroiled in another unwanted controversy – this time over leaked information about a meeting of the National Security Council. It would appear the Council, which is chaired by the PM and is made up of senior cabinet ministers, is anything but secure after details of their talks were passed on to […]
Chakrabarti’s lesson in interview etiquette
One of the worst things you can do in a media interview is to be rude or insult the person asking the questions. It doesn’t matter who they are and what line they take, you should always be polite and treat them with respect. Failure to do so can have painful consequences, especially when you’re […]
George Osborne mea culpa: Never too late to say sorry?
Former chancellor George Osborne has finally admitted that he and David Cameron let the Remain side down in the EU referendum. The expression of regret came on the BBC’s Newsnight programme more than two years after the UK voted to leave the European Union. Exit polls suggested Remain had won by a narrow margin but […]
Debut novel Astraia hits the bookstands
We are thrilled that our co-founder Graham Fitzgerald has had his first novel published this month – it’s called Astraia: Spirit of Defiance. Here is his take on how he did it. I remember someone asking me when I was 20: “What is it you most want to do?” “Be a writer,” came the reply. […]
Seasons greetings from Rough House Media
We have had an excellent year here at Rough House, and we’re looking forward to an even better 2018. Wishing all our clients, prospective clients and friends a happy Christmas, and a healthy, successful 2018. From Ann, Graham and the team by
Orwell’s Rules of Good Writing
Recently I spotted Orwell’s Rules of Good Writing – and loved them so much, I used them during my press release writing course this week. They work, whether you are writing a press release or any other kind of copy, from websites to articles to briefings to marketing materials. Orwell’s Rules of Good Writing If […]
Don’t be like Trump: get your facts right
The Donald has done it again. At his rally in Florida on Saturday the US President referred to a security incident in Sweden which turned out to be fake. He told his supporters “look at what’s happening last night in Sweden”, as he listed places in Europe attacked by terrorists. It later emerged he was […]
Crisis communications: Kay Burley vs Merlin Entertainment
It was hard to sympathise with the boss of Merlin Entertainment Nick Varney after the accident on the Smiler ride at Alton Towers in which 16 people were injured – but a lot of people did. That was because of the way he was hectored by Sky News presenter Kay Burley during a live interview […]
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