Dick Fleming is president and CEO of the St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association (RCGA), a local Chamber of Commerce.

A local television reporter wanted to know why Mr. Fleming earned $1.8 million in salary and bonuses over a two-year period—even though job growth in the region has remained flat during his tenure.

So, the reporter followed Mr. Fleming to a speech at a local hotel and tried to talk to him before and after his talk.

Mr. Fleming tried to avoid the interview with a toxic mix of belligerence, anger, and defensiveness. But it was Fleming’s creative method of dodging a reporter—hiding in a hotel’s back hallway near a stack of milk crates—that will help this story jump the local fire line and turn it into national news.



By taking extreme measures to avoid the reporter, this “powerful” business leader left viewers with the unmistakable impression of a guilty executive with something to hide. Mr. Fleming failed to remember that in an ambush interview, reporters are looking for good "visuals.” He provided them in spades.

My favorite part of this video is when he tells the reporter he’s not “hiding” in the hotel service hallway, but rather that he’s “waiting for lunch.” I doubt too many viewers will believe that lame excuse, since no one has ever waited for a lunch date in the back hallway of a hotel.

Instead, imagine if Mr. Fleming had warmly greeted the reporter by saying something such as:

“You know, over the past few months, you’ve asked me many questions, including what the Chamber has achieved during my tenure. I want you to know that during my leadership, the Chamber has (list accomplishments). Now, if you’d like to do a more serious interview, you’re going to have to give me more notice. Please contact my office, and we’ll arrange a time to talk.”

If the reporter persisted (and he probably would have), Mr. Fleming could have just repeated that last line:

“Again, I’d be happy to speak with you. But I have a full schedule today, and I’m afraid I cannot accommodate your request without notice. Please contact my office and we’ll set up a time. I look forward to speaking with you soon.”

Then, Mr. Fleming should have arranged a brief phone call with the reporter—even five minutes would have fulfilled his on-camera pledge. Mr. Fleming surely could have prepared thoughtful answers to tough questions in the days between the ambush and the scheduled interview.

Instead, Mr. Fleming reduced his local profile to that of an executive who cowers in back hallways. And that is never an image that plays well with colleagues, partners, or the public.

Brad Phillips is the author of the Mr. Media Training Blog, where a version of this story first appeared. His firm, Phillips Media Relations, specializes in media and presentation training.