Spokesman

Spokesman

A spokesman (spokeswoman or spokesperson) is someone engaged to speak on behalf of others.

The term "spokesperson", invented to replace the conventional "spokesman", is a typical example of a gender-neutral neologism.

In the present media-sensitive world, many organizations are increasingly likely to employ professionals who have received formal training in journalism, communications, public relations and public affairs in this role in order to ensure that public announcements are made in the most appropriate fashion and through the most appropriate channels to maximize the impact of favorable messages, and to minimize the impact of unfavorable messages. Popular local and national sports stars (such as Michael Jordan or Bob Uecker) are often chosen as spokespeople for commercial advertising.

A corporation may be represented in public by its Chief Executive Officer, Chairman or President, Chief Financial Officer, Counsel or external legal advisor. In addition, on a day to day level and for more routine announcements, the job may be delegated to the Corporate Communications or Investor Relations departments (or equivalents), who will act as spokesmen.


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  • Spokesman — Spokes man (sp[=o]ks man), n.; pl. {Spokesmen} ( men). [Speak, spoke + man.] One who speaks for another. [1913 Webster] He shall be thy spokesman unto the people. Ex. iv. 16. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • spokesman — UK US /ˈspəʊksmən/ US  /ˈspoʊks / noun [C] (plural spokesmen) MARKETING ► a man who acts as a spokesperson: »The spokesman repeated the company s claim that it was not to blame for the accident …   Financial and business terms

  • spokesman — I noun advocate, agent, ambassador, attorney, auctor, broker, delegate, deputy, emissary, envoy, go between, interlocutor, mediary, mediator, messenger, mouthpiece, negotiator, patronus, plenipotentiary, prolocutor, representative, speaker,… …   Law dictionary

  • spokesman — 1510s, an interpreter, 1530s in the sense of person who speaks for another or others. Irregular formation from spoke, past tense of SPEAK (Cf. speak) (actually a back formation from spoken). Spokeswoman is from 1650s; spokesperson is from 1972.… …   Etymology dictionary

  • spokesman — (or spokeswoman) ► NOUN ▪ a person who makes statements on behalf of a group …   English terms dictionary

  • spokesman — [spōks′mən] n. pl. spokesmen [spōks′mən] [irregularly formed < SPOKE2] a person who speaks for another or for a group …   English World dictionary

  • spokesman — spokes|man W2 [ˈspəuksmən US ˈspouks ] n plural spokesmen [ mən] [Date: 1500 1600; Origin: Probably from spoke (old past participle of speak) + O=man] a man who has been chosen to speak officially for a group, organization, or government… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • spokesman — [[t]spo͟ʊksmən[/t]] ♦♦ spokesmen N COUNT A spokesman is a male spokesperson. A UN spokesman said that the mission will carry 20 tons of relief supplies …   English dictionary

  • spokesman */*/*/ — UK [ˈspəʊksmən] / US [ˈspoʊksmən] noun [countable] Word forms spokesman : singular spokesman plural spokesmen UK [ˈspəʊksmən] / US [ˈspoʊksmən] a male spokesperson …   English dictionary

  • spokesman — Synonyms and related words: adviser, agent, announcer, annunciator, authority, champion, channel, communicant, communicator, connection, debater, declaimer, delegate, demagogue, deputy, enlightener, expert witness, front, front man, go between,… …   Moby Thesaurus

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