Andrea Obston

December 14, 2024 | New York Law Journal

You won't know the whole story in the early days of a crisis—that means your initial statement needs to concentrate only on what you do know rather than what you think, a crisis communications manager advises to defense counsel for Luigi Mangione.

By Andrea Obston

3 minute read

February 19, 2007 | Connecticut Law Tribune

"No comment." This seemingly innocuous phrase provides false comfort. It can give the speaker the illusion of thinking, "Well, that's done with. We said nothing. The press has nothing, so the story's dead."

By ANDREA OBSTON

4 minute read

September 24, 2007 | Connecticut Law Tribune

One of the biggest frustrations lawyers have about interviews with reporters is that the story doesn't turn out the way they expected. "I spent an hour with that reporter and nothing I said ended up in the story" is a common refrain. Or, "I don't understand. I explained myself so carefully and the story's just wrong."

By ANDREA OBSTON

4 minute read

May 07, 2007 | Connecticut Law Tribune

Amid the screaming and righteous indignation of the Don Imus incident, communications crisis managers were learning their own lesson. And it wasn't that TV networks, hit in the pocketbook, can get very moral (we already knew that); it was that speed really does kill.

By ANDREA OBSTON

4 minute read

August 13, 2007 | Connecticut Law Tribune

At first glance, the idea of not responding to negative news seems counterintuitive. Haven't we told our clients to respond early and often to negative news stories? Didn't, in a previous column, I say "no comment" or delayed comment can threaten a reputation? Yes to both questions.

By ANDREA OBSTON

4 minute read

July 16, 2007 | Connecticut Law Tribune

What do Denny Crane, Bill Gates and Donald Trump have in common? Besides their strong ability to both charm and repel audiences, each of them has a deep and abiding love of news conferences. And for attorneys, what's not to love? A room full of news reporters focused on what their client has to say. The lights. The cameras. The action. It's grand.

By ANDREA OBSTON

4 minute read

June 17, 2011 | New York Law Journal

If you?re like most people, the thought of jumping into a room full of strangers at a networking event fills you with fear. Whether it?s a meeting of the local bar or Chamber of Commerce networking, large group meetings summon up grade school fears of rejection and panic. Yep, that is some bad juju. Now get over it and do it anyhow. Here's some tips to get you started.

By Andrea Obston

7 minute read

May 09, 2007 | Law.com

In the world of new media, the 24-hour news cycle is history. If you've got a high-profile client in trouble, information -- or misinformation -- about the situation could be online in minutes. The good news is that the Web offers the opportunity to deliver your message right to the people who matter. The bad news is that the new media hurls information into cyberspace with few controls. Consultant Andrea Obston offers media tips to attorneys who could find themselves in a crisis management situation.

By Andrea Obston

4 minute read

May 09, 2007 | Law.com

In the world of new media, the 24-hour news cycle is history. If you've got a high-profile client in trouble, information -- or misinformation -- about the situation could be online in minutes. The good news is that the Web offers the opportunity to deliver your message right to the people who matter. The bad news is that the new media hurls information into cyberspace with few controls. Consultant Andrea Obston offers media tips to attorneys who could find themselves in a crisis management situation.

By Andrea Obston

4 minute read