The Scoop: An OpenAI spokesperson’s attempt to control the interview became the story

Vanity Fair recently sat down for a lengthy interview with OpenAI’s Sam Altman. It was part of the magazine’s New Establishment series and accompanied by Annie Leibovitz portraits.

It’s a wide-ranging, two-part interview that covered everything from his children to the new film “Artificial” to stock prices.

But it also touched on how artificial intelligence impacts people considering suicide.

After Altman answered several questions about the topic, interviewer Mark Guiducci asked if Altman was familiar with Laura Reiley. When Altman said he was not, Guiducci explained she is a journalist who wrote an essay after her daughter consulted ChatGPT shortly before she killed herself.

Then a new voice enters the Q&A story.

OpenAI Publicist: Mark?

Yes?

Two minutes left. I want to be respectful, but I’d like to move on. And we talked a little bit about talking about the future and what’s coming. Can we go a little bit there while we have time? I think we’ve had…

I’m just going to finish this question.

I can run a few minutes over.

And then we’ll go back to what we were talking about and then wrap.

I know. But we really actually have to walk out the door in one or two minutes.

Okay. All right.

Altman jumps in and says he’ll answer the question — and 15 others as well, albeit most of them rapid-fire, one-word responses.

The moment left many wondering if the publicist’s intervention was less about time and more about avoiding an uncomfortable topic.

In a statement provided to The Verge, OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri said, “The interview was running over, which is why we ultimately asked to schedule even more time to continue the conversation after Sam addressed this critically important topic.”

Why it matters: A PR professional never wants to become the story. And unfortunately, that’s what happened here.

Whether the publicist truly was trying to cut off a line of inquiry or really did need to rush her client out the door and onto the next meeting, we just don’t know. But appearance is often reality, and the appearance isn’t good here. By the time the publicist tried to cut the conversation off, she knew it was about one of the most sensitive, crucial topics in the AI space today: mental health. By attempting to cut it off in that moment, she created a tense moment that made it into the final piece and distracted attention from her client in a way that wouldn’t have happened if she’d tried to rush the rapid-fire Q&A portion of the interview.

Having a signal with your client when it’s time to wrap up can be a way to achieve the same thing without becoming the center of attention. And sometimes, letting a tough question ride is better than trying to rush or avoid it. Now, far more people have heard this question than ever before.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide and Crisis Hotline by calling 988.

Cornell’s website is strangely silent on rape allegations that rocked the nation

If you visit Cornell.edu, you’ll be greeted by a beautiful photo and a story about ecotourism in Puerto Rico. You’re encouraged to use #Cornell on social media. There’s an inspirational quote from founder Ezra Cornell.

You won’t find any mention or link to any place to find information or statements on the Cornell rape allegations that have become a major flashpoint. There’s no banner at the top with “read the latest.”

Even if you scroll down to the footer and select “News,” it’s all stories about research conducted at Cornell. Even on the page dedicated to the Office of Civil Rights, there is no mention. It is only on a page called “Statements,” the very last item in the footer, that you will find a collection of dispatches about the case.

Obviously, a homepage is only one method of communication. Direct members of the Cornell community certainly have access to emails, intranets and other methods of communication not open to the general public. However, this story has spread so far beyond the direct Cornell community that additional information needs to be easy to find. Right now, it’s not. That hides Cornell’s response and makes it seem like the university is carrying on business as usual.

Jaguar releases pricey electric vehicle — without controversial branding

In 2024, Jaguar raised eyebrows by releasing a new branding video that featured hot colors, diverse models and no expressions on their faces. It felt decidedly unlike the sleek, British luxury brand consumers knew.

In general, people didn’t like it.

Now, the brand has released a new electric car that features none of that branding. The $130,000 car is shown in gray and white, with handsome male models driving it. Much more classic Jag branding.

Jaguar Managing Director Rawdon Glover said that initial film was “conceptual.” “This is a production car that’s in the real world that real people want to buy, and putting it in a context that felt more grounded felt very important,” he added.

Releasing a luxury electric car is still a risk. Backing off from the more outlandish parts of their branding and returning to a more familiar color scheme might help make it more acceptable to its audience.

Raves are the hot new activation

Looking for a trendy way to reach audiences? Break out the glowsticks and turn on the EDM.

The Wall Street Journal reports that raves are back in fashion as an Instagrammable, TikTok-friendly way to reach young audiences. It’s proven especially popular for album launches and television shows, but it could have applications for other kinds of products too.

“We really create what I lovingly call content generation factories with these events,” said Mark Doumet, vice president of originals marketing for HBO and HBO Max. “It’s compelling content that allows a larger audience through the feeds and the algorithms and the social platforms to experience what the show is, and we leverage the fans as evangelists.”

This demonstrates the blurring of the lines between online and real-world experiences. By getting the right people in the room, the right messages can spread around the world.

Allison Carter is editorial director of PR Daily and Ragan.com. Follow her on LinkedIn.