Spokesman
Encyclopedia
A spokesperson or spokesman or spokeswoman is someone engaged or elected to speak on behalf of others.
In the present media-sensitive world, many organizations are increasingly likely to employ professionals who have received formal training in journalism
, communications
, public relations
and public affairs
in this role in order to ensure that public announcements are made in the most appropriate fashion and through the most appropriate channels to maximize the impact of favorable messages, and to minimize the impact of unfavorable messages. Popular local and national sports stars (such as Michael Jordan
or Bob Uecker
) are often chosen as spokesmen for commercial advertising.
The term "spokesperson" is gender-neutral language
which uses a gender-neutral job title.
, it is the job of a spokesperson to faithfully represent and advocate for the organization's positions, even when these conflict with his or her own opinion. Lots of celebrities have done some work as spokespeople. As a result, spokespersons are generally selected from experienced, long-time employees or other people who are known to support the organization's goals.
, chairman or president
, chief financial officer
, counsel
or external legal advisor. In addition, on a day-to-day level and for more routine announcements, the job may be delegated to the corporate communications or investor relations
departments (or equivalents), who will act as spokesmen.
In the particle physics community, large collaborations of physicists elect one (or two) spokesperson(s) as leader(s) of the collaboration. The spokesperson in such cases is the lead scientist of the collaboration, not a public speaker. Each collaboration chooses the roles and responsibilities of the spokesperson for internal purposes, but typically spokespersons also have defined roles for liaising with the host laboratory and/or funding agencies.
In the present media-sensitive world, many organizations are increasingly likely to employ professionals who have received formal training in journalism
Journalism
Journalism is the practice of investigation and reporting of events, issues and trends to a broad audience in a timely fashion. Though there are many variations of journalism, the ideal is to inform the intended audience. Along with covering organizations and institutions such as government and...
, communications
Communication studies
Communication Studies is an academic field that deals with processes of communication, commonly defined as the sharing of symbols over distances in space and time. Hence, communication studies encompasses a wide range of topics and contexts ranging from face-to-face conversation to speeches to mass...
, public relations
Public relations
Public relations is the actions of a corporation, store, government, individual, etc., in promoting goodwill between itself and the public, the community, employees, customers, etc....
and public affairs
Public administration
Public Administration houses the implementation of government policy and an academic discipline that studies this implementation and that prepares civil servants for this work. As a "field of inquiry with a diverse scope" its "fundamental goal.....
in this role in order to ensure that public announcements are made in the most appropriate fashion and through the most appropriate channels to maximize the impact of favorable messages, and to minimize the impact of unfavorable messages. Popular local and national sports stars (such as Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
or Bob Uecker
Bob Uecker
Robert George "Bob" Uecker is an American former Major League Baseball player, later a sportscaster, comedian, and actor. Uecker was given the title of "Mr. Baseball" by Johnny Carson...
) are often chosen as spokesmen for commercial advertising.
The term "spokesperson" is gender-neutral language
Gender-neutral language
Gender-neutral language, gender-inclusive language, inclusive language, or gender neutrality is linguistic prescriptivism that aims to eliminate reference to gender in terms that describe people...
which uses a gender-neutral job title.
Responsibilities
Unlike an individual giving a personal testimonialTestimonial
In promotion and of advertising, a testimonial or show consists of a written or spoken statement, sometimes from a person figure, sometimes from a private citizen, extolling the virtue of some product. The term "testimonial" most commonly applies to the sales-pitches attributed to ordinary...
, it is the job of a spokesperson to faithfully represent and advocate for the organization's positions, even when these conflict with his or her own opinion. Lots of celebrities have done some work as spokespeople. As a result, spokespersons are generally selected from experienced, long-time employees or other people who are known to support the organization's goals.
Identity
A corporation may be represented in public by its chief executive officerChief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
, chairman or president
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
, chief financial officer
Chief financial officer
The chief financial officer or Chief financial and operating officer is a corporate officer primarily responsible for managing the financial risks of the corporation. This officer is also responsible for financial planning and record-keeping, as well as financial reporting to higher management...
, counsel
Counsel
A counsel or a counselor gives advice, more particularly in legal matters.-U.K. and Ireland:The legal system in England uses the term counsel as an approximate synonym for a barrister-at-law, and may apply it to mean either a single person who pleads a cause, or collectively, the body of barristers...
or external legal advisor. In addition, on a day-to-day level and for more routine announcements, the job may be delegated to the corporate communications or investor relations
Investor relations
Investor Relations is a strategic management responsibility that integrates finance, communication, marketing and securities law compliance to enable the most effective two-way communication between a company, the financial community, and other constituencies, which ultimately contributes to a...
departments (or equivalents), who will act as spokesmen.
In the particle physics community, large collaborations of physicists elect one (or two) spokesperson(s) as leader(s) of the collaboration. The spokesperson in such cases is the lead scientist of the collaboration, not a public speaker. Each collaboration chooses the roles and responsibilities of the spokesperson for internal purposes, but typically spokespersons also have defined roles for liaising with the host laboratory and/or funding agencies.