Don’t fear the media

A couple of months back I attended a seminar by Google Maps’ (now Local) lead engineer Lars Rasmussen.

The presentation was really interesting. Interesting enough to make international headlines.

Just another face in crowd, I wasn’t concerned in the slightest that Lars would get in trouble for saying something he shouldn’t have. Google’s PR machine has media trained him well, don’t you worry! For example, when question time arrived I asked him whether the rumours of a Web-based Google office suite is on the cards and got the classic ‘I’m unaware’ of anything like that. Good one 🙂

Anywho, after the presentation a small group headed over to the uni’s school of IT for an opportunity to chat with Lars who was also looking for some fresh talent to join the company. I decided to take the opportunity to get a photo of Lars for the magazine with my trusty digital camera (our photographer was unavailable).

As soon as I brought out the camera Lars said jovially: “you’re not from the press are you?”. I immediately replied “Yes. Don’t worry, you won’t get fired”.

What was amusing were all the offers to take a photo of me with Lars. The crowd, unaware I was a journalist, thought I’d like a personal happy snap – understandable to them but strange to me being on the job at the time.

Why not, I thought. As you can see, by this time both Lars and I though it was quite amusing. The photo does look like he is shying away from the media though, but he really wasn’t.

All up, I think the afternoon was a great success. I got a good story and Google got (more) good publicity. That’s the fundamental reason why it’s good practice to embrace the media and not view it as just something that’s there to be used or avoided depending on what you stand to gain or lose. Deal with journalists the same as other professionals with “real” jobs – the rewards are definitely worth it.

Rodney