I made an error. I sent releases to three community papers this past week about my recent department installation. I normally receive my subscription copies of these publications today.
I usually wake up at 5:00am to do some of my PIO chores before I get ready for the job that feeds me. In reviewing the release I sent to the papers a few days ago, I noticed I made a spelling error to the name of one of the politicians in attendance. This is really upsetting since I proof what I write and use an additional person to check for typos. I have written this person’s name in releases numerous times over the years, but this one slipped by me.
I feel bad. Mistakes like this are a reflection on my department. Hopefully the editors caught my mistake and corrected it before publication – or not.
Just when I thought all will be well when I open these publications later today I read about one that got away from the LA Times.
The Los Angeles Times printed a story -on its front page- back on April 21 that questioned the mayor’s credibility. Except there was one problem – they spelt credibility wrong!
A public information staff member from the mayor’s office noticed the misspelling in the web version of the story and e-mailed the paper about the miscue figuring it would be corrected when the newspaper actually hit the stands in its print version.
The mayors rep didn’t think anything of it, figuring it would be fixed shortly — and certainly before it got into print hours later. Guess not.
Also on The Fire PIO…
- When an Editor needs Editing – October 12, 2010
- Taking your own PR Advice – August 9, 2010
- How do you keep your Department Press Archives? – October 5, 2010
- What’s in your Email Subject Line? – August 11, 2010
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