Sometimes, television shows can be educational in a way never intended or imagined. If you were one of the millions watching the second season finale of Game of Thrones last night, I doubt you were looking for lessons in business or public relations. Not many people would turn to a medieval fantasy on HBO for that kind of lesson, but here are three you can apply to your business today.
Do Your Research
Royal spymaster, Lord Varys, knows how to use information to his advantage. Knowing the kingdom’s secrets has kept him alive and in the King’s favor for many years.
Businesses, just like large kingdoms, have many moving parts, and often a lot of characters. Perhaps your business needs to engage clients in a survey, or maybe it’s as simple as reading the news regarding your top competitors. It is impossible to create a successful business, much less a successful public relations campaign, without understanding your audience and competitors.
Know When to Stay Quiet
Queen Cersei’s son, Joffrey, has taken over the throne, though he’s not really the rightful heir. But, despite the rampant rumors about who the new King’s real father is, the Queen never publicly addresses them.
Our own Carol Cookerly is famous for saying: “Sometimes the best interview is the one you don’t give.” In today’s media world, it’s easy to think that responding to a reporter’s request for an interview is required. But we think otherwise. In some situations, especially those with a lot of unanswered questions and pending investigations, sometimes saying nothing is more powerful than denying rumors.
Always Be Prepared
“Winter is Coming” is not only a major theme of the show, but also the Stark family motto. After many quiet years in the kingdom, things have suddenly gone downhill very quickly, and those who were unprepared are at a decided disadvantage.
The truth is you never know when your business may encounter its own crisis. Issues rarely pop up at a convenient time, making it all the more important to have an up-to-date, well-constructed crisis plan. All key stakeholders should have a copy and know how and when to mobilize.
Sometimes great lessons are found in the most unexpected places, so keep an open mind. What are some business lessons you’ve learned in unconventional ways?
As design director at Cookerly, Tim serves as the creative lead in the development of branding campaigns, print collateral and digital media for clients across a broad range of industries, including consumer, professional services, healthcare and technology.
As a senior vice president at Cookerly, Mike Rieman is a strategic communications leader specializing in media relations and reputation management. With a proven track record of securing high-profile placements in top-tier outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNN and USA Today, he excels at crafting compelling narratives that resonate across print, broadcast and digital platforms.
Mike Touhill is vice president at Cookerly Public Relations, where he helps lead traditional, social and digital media programs for B2B and B2C clients in packaging, telecommunications and technology, among other industries. As a communication leader, he develops and executes public relations strategy, provides proactive and reactive counsel to C-level executives and secures earned media coverage for client initiatives and product.
Andrew Agan is a vice president at Cookerly Public Relations, overseeing the agency’s internship program and leading media relations, content strategy and social media initiatives. He provides counsel and executes campaigns for clients across various sectors, including finance, healthcare, hospitality, technology, automotive and many others. Andrew excels at crafting compelling stories and building media relationships, resulting in clients being featured in notable outlets such as CNBC, Associated Press, Business Insider, Fox Business, HBO, Inc. Magazine, Sirius XM, The Wall Street Journal and USA Today, among others.
As vice president of Cookerly, Sheryl Sellaway uses her extensive corporate communications background to lead consumer PR efforts, deliver strategy for marketing programs and share expertise about community initiatives.