Two Couples, Two Stories. One Day.

**UPDATE*** Shuttle launch has been scrubbed for 48 hours. This happened after original post.

There are two major stories happening today involving two couples. A prince and princess, and an astronaut and congresswoman. Two extraordinary couples.

First there's the Royal Wedding of Prince William and now Princess Katherine. We knew them as William and Kate, now officially they're the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. They will be the focus of world-wide attention, especially the princess, the rest of their lives. An often ugly horde of "paparazzi" will follow "Kate's" every move as they did Prince William's mother. Let's hope for a happier ending. There's nothing like a prince, a princess and a castle to capture our imaginations. Here in America, which long ago threw off the yoke of British Monarchy, tens of millions got up well before dawn to view the nuptials. The media horde in London today is mostly comprised of Americans, and the British.

Closer to home at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, another story unfolds as Astronaut and Navy Captain Mark Kelly commands the crew of Shuttle Endeavour on its final flight before being retired from service. Most of us didn't even know who he was until earlier this year, even though he's an astronaut. Capt. Kelly is married to Arizona Representative Gabrielle "Gabby" Giffords who was gunned down by a crazed assassin this past January, shot point blank in the head. Many died in the senseless slaughter but Giffords somehow survived, her recovery amazing everyone and today she's at the Cape to watch her husband blast off to the International Space Station. The Astronaut and the Congresswoman.

Prince William, an RAF Search and Rescue helicopter pilot is officially called Flight Lt. Wales when working his "Day job." Captain Kelly is a Naval Aviator today commanding an always dangerous mission to space. Both are highly skilled, doing something only a few are qualified to do.

Princess Katherine is an educated woman, hardly a "commoner" who embarks on a new life full of public scrutiny as she joins the family business. Rep. Giffords continues her remarkable recovery, defying extraordinary odds each and every day. The best part of her future is she has a future.

It's the Royals getting the lion's share of attention today, but  to me the big story is happening here at home. Mark and Gabby, two profiles in American courage in every way.

Here's to the best of outcomes for both couples in the future.

Brian Olson
Founder/Consultant

Conversation Starters Public Relations

"Breaking News"

I don't know where or when you heard about the shootings in Tucson this past Saturday but it likely was prefaced by "News Bulletin" or "Breaking News." It sure brought memories for me as a field producer.

Flipping around the channels, both traditional and electronic the coverage has been pretty good. It's a difficult challenge with so much information flying at you and one initial report had Rep. Giffords dying from her wounds. The late Frank Reynolds of ABC could identify with that. Thankfully in both cases, neither Rep. Giffords or President Reagan died. But it shows that despite the time between the two incidents, the wrong news can get "out there" in a hurry. More so in today's online world. Instant misinformation.

The huge majority of news organizations, certainly the best ones, are always prepared for such incidents. It seems they always happen when you're least prepared to deal with them, in this case a Saturday morning. But main anchors were quickly on set and reporters on the scene to cover the story.

Breaking news is always a challenge because unlike a scheduled event like a political convention or a Super Bowl for example, you make it up as you go along. It starts when you head out the door with your hair on fire enroute to the airport. While you're on the way to the story, staff back at the office are gathering up resources like satellite trucks to help you get your story out. Networks depend heavily on local affiliates in the early hours of a breaking story to feed video or have their reporters on the air. The pressure on local newsrooms during such stories is enormous. It seems everyone in the world is calling you for help just as you're struggling to cover the story yourself.

Each story is different and you learn from each one. One of the memorable ones for me was covering a rare hurricane that made its way off the Gulf of California through Arizona. We had satellite trucks, reporters and photogs on the scene. The only thing we didn't have was a place to go to the bathroom. So I had to arrange porta-potties. It's the sort of thing they don't teach you in journalism school.

Often times, as was the case with the Oklahoma City Bombing, and certainly with the Tucson shootings, you come upon a horrific situation. Nothing prepares you for it and nothing ever hardens you against it. You also never forget them. Ever.

The hours are long, you're lucky to get a few hours of sleep if any, and when you do it's more than likely inside a production truck. Yet you have to be sharp both in front of, and behind the camera.

Ultimately you have to get the story right, not to speculate, deal with victims compassionately and show no bias other than reporting the facts. Reporters are human, and it's difficult to be dispassionate amidst carnage like Tucson.

The coverage I've seen has been quite well done, mistakes were made but quickly corrected. It's easy to not like the news media but they work very, very had to bring us the news. The fact there are so many news outlets competing for our attention means they're all working as hard as possible to provide the best coverage.

We as viewers, listeners and readers are well served.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"