The Write Angle TWA marketing, formerly known as The Write Angle

Why No News ISN’T Good News

“No comment” is a term that makes me shudder and one that we rarely condone at The Write Angle.

In almost all cases we advise clients to make a statement of some sort – whether it’s to get their side of the story heard or set the record straight – however DSTRKT London seems to be of a different opinion.

The swanky nightclub in London’s trendy West End has come under scrutiny for allegedly discriminating against a group of young black women who were ‘overweight’ and ‘too dark’.

News of the incident (which took place on Saturday night (26 September) has spread fast, with many taking to social media to tell of their own similar experience and back a campaign to protest against the club, held last night (29 September).

Demonstrators were photographed holding banners outside the award-winning nightclub, which is a favourite of celebrities including Jay-Z, Kim Kardashian and Will Smith, saying #DoILookDstrkt?, resulting in widespread coverage in the media.

Whilst we will probably never know the finer details of what actually happened, the incident has proved how damaging it can be to not have your say. Even now the nightclub is staying tight-lipped about what happened.

It’s always best to prepare for things like this with a crisis communications plan, but if you find yourself in a bit of a jam and don’t know what to do, here’s some effective ways you can deal with negativity in the media.

1) Stay calm – don’t go off all guns blazing, consider the situation, what possible resolutions there are and think rationally about how you want to deal with it
2) Avoid a ‘one size fits all’ response – almost as annoying as no comment, generic statements that hold no direct relevance to the matter at hand will do you no good
3) Keep to the facts – without going into too much detail, make sure the statement is short and simple – especially in the early stages. Try not to delve into any intricacies as this could get you into trouble further down the line
4) Be quick – speed is of the essence and things can quickly escalate if you don’t nip them in the bud. A holding statement can keep the wolves from the door and give you time to investigate
5) Be honest – if you’ve messed up, don’t be afraid to say so. Like with any relationship, admitting fault can diffuse a situation. A good example of this is a recent initiative by Turtle Bay where they upset a lot of people with their #Rastafyme campaign http://bit.ly/1RfQP86
6) Offer a solution – whether it’s further investigation, more training or providing compensation for those affected, a willingness to recompense can stand you in good stead.