MY SPECIAL CONNECTION WITH PETER JENNINGS
Why will I miss Peter Jennings more than most of his viewers will? Because he and I had a special connection most people did not have with him. You see, I had the privilege-on many occasions-of being mistaken for Peter Jennings.
I invite you to check my photo on my Web site:
www.ChampionshipCommunication.com
I have quite a few examples I can share with you. Here are three:
Last night I spoke to a group in Roswell, Georgia. Afterward, one man asked, "Are you Peter Jennings twin?" Without hearing his comment, at least half a dozen from my audience mentioned the resemblance afterward.
Fox & Friends-a popular morning program broadcasted nationwide-had a lookalike contest about three years ago. I sent my photo, mentioning that people mistake me for Peter Jennings. To my delight, a few days later they ran our photos side by side, split screen. E.D. Hill, the lively distaff member of the team, asked, "Who sent that picture in, Bill or Peter Jennings?"
In Athens, Georgia I was on the University of Georgia campus to present a program for the Carl Vinson Institute of Government. A man stared at me in the lobby of the Georgia Center for Continuing Education. He said "You're Peter Jennings!" I thanked him for the compliment, and corrected him politely. He wouldnt believe me until I showed him my drivers license!
A significant point: I have been a radio DJ, been interviewed by hundreds of radio stations, had my own radio show, and I have had TV experience, too--did TV commercials and narrated events for public television. So Peter Jennings fulfilled many of my media fantasies.
As a business consultant, one of the seminars I direct is titled Media Magic. In that seminar, I teach corporations how to establish a workable crisis communication plan.
Not surprisingly, Peter Jennings has been my favorite newscaster for many years.