Harnessing Trump's Rhetoric to Land Media Placements

Written by: Gregg Gethard

In this month’s edition of Global Newshacking , we take a look at how firms can weave their corporate narrative into the news stories of the day. Below are five areas we see as prime targets throughout the next several weeks.

1. TRUMP AND DATA


Both the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg have written about fears that the Trump Administration may alter statistical reporting on the trade gap, unemployment figures and other financial data. The financial media leans heavily on these data releases for content. If the information released by government agencies loses some of its credibility, the media will increasingly look to expert sources for commentary as they scramble to interpret the data.

HOW TO NEWSHACK: While there have always been plenty of story opportunities to discuss what the data means, there will be a growing number of opportunities to explain how data is compiled. Do you have any thoughts about the methodologies behind government statistical analysis? Concerns about potential changes from the Trump Administration? Long-standing criticisms about the need for updated data collection? There are many worthy stories to be told here.

2. HAVE YOUR NAME LINKED WITH A LEGEND


Warren Buffett is arguably the greatest investor of all-time. At least one major business publication has a well-placed piece on him on a near daily basis. The release of his annual letter is one of the most anticipated events of the year for finance geeks. His words of wisdom have long made him the hero of value investors everywhere.

HOW TO NEWSHACK: Are you a value investor? See some stocks that fit Buffett’s strategy that he might not have purchased? Have thoughts on Buffett’s latest deal? There are many ways to get your name placed on a screen or in ink just inches below the name “Warren Buffett.” Remember how your Mom used to place your A+ homework assignments on your family refrigerator? Imagine that feeling, but multiplied by a factor of hundreds of thousands (of dollars).

3. HAVE YOUR NAME LINKED WITH A VISIONARY


Another business leader who constantly makes headlines is the endlessly fascinating Elon Musk and his company Tesla. Going by its market capitalization, the electric car manufacturer is larger than Nissan and just slightly smaller than Ford and GM. Yet, at the same time, the company also routinely loses hundreds of millions of dollars each quarter. Is Elon Musk the man whose business ideas will lead us into the future? Or is Tesla overhyped?

HOW TO NEWSHACK: Elon Musk generates press. Why not tag along with him? If you have any thoughts on Tesla, the market for electric vehicles or even the lithium-ion batteries that power them – no matter bull or bear – you have an opportunity to get quoted in a story with one of the most interesting people in the world of business today.

4. THE CHANGING FACE OF RETAIL


The trip to the mall right before school started to purchase a new wardrobe for the year was an annual ritual for those of us of a certain age. And, chances are, those trips for ill-fitting jeans and t-shirts with cartoon logos plastered on the front took you to either Sears, JC Penney or Macy’s. All of those companies have announced major closures of store locations as the traditional world of retail has been forever changed by the rise of Amazon and other online retailers.

HOW TO NEWSHACK: There are plenty of opportunities for experts and analysts who have views on the future of shopping. The shifting world of retail not only changes how we shop, it also impacts the commercial real estate market. Shopping malls and centers also face changes as long-time tenants leave. Somebody needs to fill the gap. The media is constantly on the lookout for strategies to bring customers back to shopping malls. Many opportunities to see your name in print or video await those that can identify trends in commercial real estate and have ideas about what shopping mall owners and managers can do to retain customers.

5. WHEN TRUMP SPEAKS, MARKETS MOVE


Trump’s ability to move markets with a single tweet has traders hanging on his every word. The rhetoric coming from his administration has largely been positive for markets overall so far, but a change in tone has the power to quickly turn this trend around. Naturally, nearly every investor large and small is trying to get in on the action. According to a report from NPR, an Australian company even created a computer algorithm that analyzes Trump’s tweets and makes trades in an effort to get ahead of market movements.

HOW TO NEWSHACK: Just this week, Trump outlined his plan to increase military spending by $54 billion , which will obviously impact the future of defense stocks. When Trump announces these plans, nearly every financial media outlet wants to know more about how they will specifically impact the markets. If you’re able to decipher Trump’s plans and nail down pithy talking points related to their implications, you’ll be the Belle of the Ball at every major TV and print media outlet.

There is no better way to become a thought leader than having your name cited in acclaimed financial publications like Barron’s, Bloomberg and Financial Times. These are publications that smart investors read. Impressing them goes a long way in building the credibility of your business as well as your investment acumen.