Whoever trained Shell Oil President John Hofmeister on how to do media interviews, particularly on TV, forgot to tell the client that when discussing high gasoline prices, don’t smile and look like you’re having a good time.
On “Meet the Press” this morning, Hofmeister had an ear-to-ear grin on his face while he was answering Tim Russert’s questions about why gasoline prices have surpassed the $3 mark in some parts of the U.S. I can’t even remember what he said. All I can remember is being distracted by that inappropriate smile.
Effective TV interviews aren’t just about what you say, but how you look when you’re saying it.
The interview left me feeling like I intruded upon some private jokster’s board meeting. That grin like the proverbial ‘Chestshire Cat’! (oops sp?)