Quick Tip: Avoid Checks and Stripes
June 28, 2008 by Eric Eggertson
Filed under Marketing
Great news! The local TV news wants to drop by and interview you!
Bad news! You are wearing something that will look ghastly on television.
Always keep a neutral dark suit, pantsuit, skirt/blouse or other ensemble handy that you can jump into if you regularly act as a spokesperson.
I was reminded of this fairly standard bit of media relations advice last week by Roger Francis, of Gryphon Reputation Management.
Roger has done work with the media and media training for a couple of decades, but this bit of advice is just as valuable today as it was in the 1980s.
Gaudy prints, prints, pastels, patterns and anything checkered should be avoided, unless you want to draw attention to your outfit, rather than the cause you are speaking on behalf of. Something strange happens to certain materials when shown on video. Certain striped patterns start to flash a sort of strobe effect that will draw the eye away from you and the issue you’re discussing.
Keep it plain. Better a little bit boring than bizarre.
And avoid that blue shade that matches the bluescreen, if you are called into the studio.
I didn’t do this on camera, but once I ran up three flights of stairs to a meeting, where I was due to give a 20-minute presentation.
The first two minutes was me breathless, sounding like a heart attack risk. I did not inspire confidence that day…