NCAA CPL Communications flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

SMART objective

A communication objective that is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound, naming the target public and the desired change in awareness, attitude, or behavior.

Message map

A planning tool linking one core message to a small set of supporting proof points tailored to each audience segment, ensuring consistency across channels and spokespeople.

Formative evaluation

Pre-launch research such as message testing or focus groups used to refine content, channel choice, and tone before public release, reducing risk of audience misreading.

Situation analysis

A structured review of the presenting issue, relevant publics, competitive or media environment, and organizational constraints, completed before objectives and messages are drafted.

On the record

Attribution mode in which everything a source says may be quoted and attributed by name and title, requiring the speaker to assume full public accountability.

On background

Attribution mode allowing a journalist to use the information but attribute it to a general role or unnamed source, with the exact wording agreed before the conversation.

Embargo

A mutual agreement that a journalist will not publish before a stated time; it is a professional courtesy rather than a legally enforceable contract and can be broken.

Media credential

Revocable authorization issued after verifying an outlet affiliation, journalist role, and assignment, granting defined access to venues, press areas, and interviews.

Bridging phrase

A rehearsed transition used in interviews to move from a hostile or off-topic question back to an approved key message without appearing to dodge the question.

Holding statement

A short, time-limited public statement acknowledging awareness, expressing concern, noting that facts are being gathered, and committing to a specific next update.

Issues management matrix

A tool plotting identified issues by likelihood and potential impact to set monitoring intensity, escalation thresholds, and pre-approved response options.

Single-spokesperson discipline

A crisis rule designating one primary spokesperson and named alternates who are briefed identically, preventing contradictory public statements during fast-moving events.

Crisis post-mortem

A structured review after resolution documenting the timeline, key decisions, message performance, stakeholder feedback, and corrective actions with assigned owners and deadlines.

Stakeholder notification order

A predetermined sequence determining who hears news first, typically affected individuals and governing bodies before media, subject to legal and privacy constraints.

Alternative text

A written description attached to an image so screen readers can convey its content, required for digital accessibility compliance on websites and social platforms.

Engagement rate

A social metric calculated as interactions divided by reach or impressions, used to compare content performance across posts, platforms, and time periods.

Community management policy

A documented set of rules defining response times, escalation triggers, moderation standards, and which audience comments receive replies versus removal.

Share of voice

The proportion of total conversation about a topic or category attributable to one organization, used to benchmark visibility against peers and competitors.

Influencer disclosure

A clear and conspicuous statement that content is paid or sponsored, required to prevent deceptive advertising and to preserve audience trust in promotional partnerships.

Cascading communication

A sequenced internal release moving from leadership briefing to manager toolkit to all-staff distribution, each stage paired with a channel for questions and feedback.

Stakeholder map

A visual plotting of stakeholders by influence and interest, used to decide who is informed, consulted, partnered with, or merely monitored.

Internal-external gap

The time between employees learning significant news and its public release; shortening the gap reduces leaks and prevents staff learning from external coverage.

Manager toolkit

A packaged set of talking points, FAQs, and timing guidance given to people-managers so they can brief their teams consistently during an announcement.

Brand architecture

The structured relationship among institutional, event, and program-level brands, defining which identity leads and how sub-brands may be used together.

Visual identity compliance

Adherence to approved mark versions, clear space, color values, and typography, along with prohibited alterations that would weaken trademark distinctiveness.

Brand pillar

A durable positioning theme that approved messages must trace back to, ensuring public statements reinforce rather than dilute the intended reputation.

Share of voice benchmark

A comparative measure of an organization's conversation share against peers, used to judge whether communication activity is translating into visibility.

Defamation elements

A false statement of fact, published to a third party, made with the required fault level, causing harm; true statements and pure opinion fall outside liability.

Right of publicity

A person's legal interest in controlling commercial use of their name, image, or likeness, requiring consent before use in advertising or promotional materials.

Records retention schedule

A policy specifying how long categories of communications, media logs, and correspondence are kept and the process for lawful destruction at the end of that period.

Fair use factors

A four-factor analysis covering purpose of use, nature of the work, amount used, and market effect; it is a defense applied after the fact, not prior permission.

Conflict of interest disclosure

A statement revealing a personal, financial, or professional interest that could bias judgment, enabling audiences and employers to assess credibility.