Celebrating 50 years of Wilderness Media Training January
Celebrating 50 years of Wilderness: Media Training, January 2014 Shenandoah Wilderness, Virginia
Media Event Planning- Agenda • What is news? • Event concept • Media specific events • Media for non media-specific events • Media materials • Press outreach before, during and after the event
What is News? • New • Local • Human interest • Conflict • Controversy • Strange bedfellows • Visuals • Timely
Concept • GOALS: What is the purpose of the event? • RESOURCES: How many people will you have? What is your budget? Will you partner with other groups? • MESSAGE: What is the story you are trying to tell?
MEDIA SPECIFIC EVENTS Planning
Media Specific Events: Location • • Easy to find Accessibility Appropriate size Symbolism Visuals Electricity Rain location
Media Specific Events: Date/Time What are your priorities for media? For people? • Best times for print media: Tues, Wed, Thurs between 10 am-11: 30 am • Weekly newspaper deadlines? • TV News: Before 4 pm •
Media Specific Events: Visuals Telling a story • Clear message, repeated • Good photo opportunities •
Media Specific Event: Speakers • • • Interesting and credible Diversity Brief statements Compelling personal stories Press availabilities On message
NON-MEDIA EVENTS Planning
Non-Media Events • What opportunities are available? • Can reporters join a hike? Press availability before or after the event? • Incorporate as much of the media event planning as you can • Take photos, have “speakers” • Think outside of the environmental beat • Reviewer for an art show? Community events reporter?
PRESS MATERIALS
Press Materials: Advisory • Used to generate interest, calendar submission • Who, What, When, Where • Don’t give the whole story
Press Materials: Press Release • Add the Why and How to the press advisory • Write in pyramid style– most important information first • Include 2 -3 pithy quotes • Keep it to 1 or 1 ½ pages • Follow up with a phone call after sending
PRESS OUTREACH
Advance Press • • • Press list Press advisory, pitch calls, community calendars Facebook event Identify media liaison, photographer Prepare press release (but don’t send yet)
Press Day of Event • Resend press advisory, make last minute calls • Arrive early • Have copies of any materials, press release • Start promptly • Media liaison, photographer work their magic
Post Event Press • Immediately after send press release, share with photos on social media • Follow up with thank you notes for good stories • Ask attendees to send letters to the editor or write op-eds
Questions?
- Slides: 19