Chapter 7: Crisis Communications and the Media in the first edition continues to be my favorite section because your pragmatic advice would help so many people and organizations in dealing with crisis situations. Your 5-Point Plan on "how to credibly connect with journalists before you need them" is solid gold because building trust and credibility with the media takes significant time. The best time to build these media relationships is before a negative event strikes (not as the crisis unfolds). Congratulations David on this latest, revised and updated edition!

David, Writing this blog post was an absolute joy. I'm a huge fan and student of the teachings and ideas from your many books. I recently picked up a copy of your book, Marketing Lessons From The Grateful Dead . I'm embarrassed to say I'm just now getting around to that one. I live in the Kansas City area. I know you're good friends with one of my Social Media Club of Kansas City friends, Zena Weist. It would be great to share a coffee or a beer one day. I'm hoping to one day make it to a conference where you'll be speaking. Thank you for taking time to write your kind note. It means a lot to me!

You're welcome Mitch. Thank you for stopping by! You're a positive mentor to me (and countless others).

David, after reading your list of "the flip side of risk" and your concluding sentence, I thought I'd contribute this quote by your friend and colleague, Seth Godin (from Purple Cow): "Safe is Risky."

David, you're not over-reacting at all. The fact that Acura has not responded to you on your Twitter feed AND the absence of a response from an Acura representative in this comment stream speaks volumes. Acura doesn't get it. Mary Henige of GM and Scott Monty of Ford would have never have let something like this happen (in both organizing and integrating the tactics as well as in preparing and responding to you). The fact that you've "called them out" and nobody's responding in real-time reinforces the spammer image.

"When you see a long blog post, are you eager to read it? Maybe not." I think you're asking the wrong question. I think it should be "when you see a blog post from X, are you eager to read it." I've chosen X because she/he has something valuable to say. That's all that matters to me.

David: Fantastic content (as always)! Your post highlights how important it is for millennials to creatively differentiate themselves in a brutal economic market (particularly particularly newly minted graduates). The stamp of approval of a college education is not enough. Here's the link to the recent article from Boston.com titled, 1 in 2 Are Jobless or Underemployed: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2012/04/22/1_in_2_new_graduates_are_jobless_or_underemployed/?page=full Lindsey: Way to Go!! Like Anne, I believe you'll find a soft landing soon because you've taken the entrepreneurial and resourceful path to finding a solution to a complex problem. You're the type of person smart companies cherish. Here's a great post from one of David's thought leader colleagues, Mitch Joel. It's titled, 8 Ways to Score That Elusive Entry Level Marketing Position. Here's the link: http://www.twistimage.com/blog/archives/8-ways-to-score-that-elusive-entry-level-marketing-position/ You're already doing a number of tactics Mitch describes in his post. But, I thought i'd include it to add more fuel to your fire. Go get'em and please keep us informed of your progress. I want to hear more about the ongoing Lindsey Kirchoff success story!

Ben, it is so kind and generous of you to leave your comment - Thank You! You've written an important and invaluable resource to improve the personal and professional lives of a global audience. Your comment means a lot. You've made my week (and I'm grinning from ear-to-ear)! :-)

@A Facebook User: Nice of you to stop by. Thank You!

@SEO Perth: Thank you for your nice note and reading my post. Cheers!

Great post David. Ohio Arts missed an opportunity to fully consolidate their newsjacking opportunity. Even a short YouTube video from their CEO or a top executive team member (similar to what Taylor Guitars CEO, Bob Taylor did during the United Breaks Guitars debacle), would have really sealed the deal.

Jessie, you're so kind to leave this comment. Thank You! Absolutely makes my week! I've also enjoyed getting to know you through the Start-Up of You LinkedIn Group. I love reading your comments and article contributions because they're very thought-provoking. Just like your question here :-) Invest In Yourself: I'm working on practicing some of the book's key concepts every month. For the rest of this month and April, I'm focusing on taking intelligent risks. I'm proactively looking for more ways "to say yes" to opportunities. Instead of thinking I'll dilute my focus and bring unwanted to stress to a life that's already pretty stressful with my current job and a newborn in our family, I'm focusing on the upside these opportunities can produce (i.e., new contacts and experiences that will force me to keep learning and stretching in my industry and in technology). The investment in myself will increase the value of my soft assets. And, that means I have to be more creative and proactive in investing in my network ... Invest In Your Network: The principle of the power of small gifts really impacted me. One of the book's key principles linked to "small gifts" is the importance of "refreshing your relationships" in our respective networks. I started practicing the "small gifts" principle in my client communications when asking for personal meetings. For example, I'd include in my emails a link to an industry article that I thought addressed a problem my individual client is currently confronting. This principle increased the receptivity of individual clients taking time from their busy schedules to personally meet with me. But, I also need to practice the "small gifts" principle with close friends and other business associates that I haven't contacted in awhile. That's something I'll be working on in the next month. Invest In Society: I've lived in the Kansas City area for 6.5 years (can't believe time has flown by that fast). I've been looking for something where I can give back. I think I've finally found it by applying for (and being accepted) as a Mentor at University of Missouri Kansas City's Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. I'm really excited about participating! Kansas City's civic mission is to become the most entrepreneurial city in the world. Kansas City is steeped in entrepreneurial success and tradition due to the founders of H&R Block, Hallmark, American Century Investments, Marion Laboratories, and The Kauffman Foundation. I want to contribute to that civic mission. And, I think being a contributor (even in a small way) to UMKC's Entrepreneurship program is one way to directly participate in Kansas City's future growth and development.