Media Relations Brief by Sgt LaForte and Sgt Sequeira

1. MediaRelationsBriefby Sgt LaForte and Sgt Sequeira Consolidated Public Affairs Office Marine Corps Air Station Miramar 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

2. Topics… • Mission of Public Affairs • Functions of Public Affairs • Organization • Media Mission and responsibilities • Every PA Marine’s role in Media Relations

3. Mission Mission statement: The overall mission of public affairs is to release the most complete, accurate and timely information about activities of Miramar and 3rd MAW while preserving operational security and the privacy of service members and their families. Policy: MAXIMUM DISCLOSURE, MINIMUM DELAY.

4. Public Affairs Team MEDIA INTERNALINFORMATIONEXTERNAL MARKETING COMMUNITYRELATIONS

5. Organization (Aug 2005) CPAO Dir: Maj. Curtis Hill Dep: Capt. Albert Eskalis Chief: GySgt. Sewell Web/Marketing Capt. Eskalis SSgt. Villanueva Internal Operations 1stLt. Croom II SSgt. Cruz Media Relations 1stLt. Jennings SSgt McMeen Sgt. LaForte ComRel 1stLt. Jennings SSgt McMeen Cpl. Teslevich

6. Media Relations Mission To foster positive relations with media representatives, to educate air station personnel and command representatives about the importance of media relations and effectively prepare these representatives for media opportunities .

7. News Environment What Makes News in San Diego? • Crimes/Misconduct in town • BRAC issues/Airport Joint Use • Environment • Training exercises • War-related topics • Training accidents/mishaps • Annual Events • Community Relations Projects • Localized support of National Events

8. Functions Media Relations • Focus on national and local media • Coordinate media events/interviews • Proactive posture: Open access to units/events/staff, media releases • Crisis Response • Reactive posture: Preparing Q&As/Prep for press conference • Interview preparation • Unit Information Officer program

9. Media Types • News (print or broadcast) • Magazine • Documentary • Outside Military • Radio • Network Shows • Tabloid • Off-base media events involving 3rd MAW/COMCABWEST assets

10. Media Queries Rules to success • Every media query must be on query form • Do not repeat reporter’s statements • Do not give out information, even if known • Form must be legible • Must have working phone number • All areas must be filled out • Exact query must have ENOUGH information, not just information • DO NOT give out your name when taking query. If a reporter is asking how to spell your name, you are being quoted

11. Media Release Protecting yourself • Media section will put out release • Only pertinent, releasable information will be put out • The Internal section will be asked to only take queries and not worry about information release • Restate release has all pertinent info at that time • Do not give more info, even if you have more • Do not restate reporter’s questions

12. Media Escorts Before event • Coordinate RSVP list (ensure media knows they have not reached the media section) • Background checks will be made on all individuals and organizations • Coordinate with media, units, PMO, VAL, Air Ops, station and C-Pool (optional), K-9 (if live trucks involved) • Brief unit reps, SMEs on PA guidance • Provide media with background info about event and unit’s involved

13. Media Escorts Before event con’t… • Coordinate with media to go over what subject of visit will cover • Media Relations will approve all escorts to ensure proper individuals in the chain of command are informed of visit

14. Media Escorts During event • Coordinate with involved parties • Escort media reps to event • Observe all media during filming and interviewing • Provide media with clarifying information during escort • Ensure media follows ground rules • Handle logistical problems that may arise during escort (keep CoC involved)

15. Media Escorts After event • Ensure media leaves base • Contact PMO so they understand media is gone • If event involved video broadcast, record TiVO archive • Contact unit for after action report (can be unofficial) • Remember to foster good working relations with all parties involved

16. Know Your Role… Everyone’s mission • If you see a crisis occur or your receive multiple calls about one: • Contact media IMMEDIATELY! • Ensure media understands you are only taking queries, not making quotes • Do not repeat anything • Inform them Media Relations will get back to them

17. Know Your Role… Everyone’s mission • If you are at an event with media involved: • Remember your PA training • Observe for “rogue” media that the media has not observed • If you see something out of ordinary and are unsure, ask Media Relations • If you see something blatantly wrong, stop it • Maintain external PA mindset

18. Know Your Role… Final thoughts… Media usually only cover’s events that we let them know about. If you are covering an event and have previous knowledge of it, inform media relations so we can get external coverage of the event.

19. Media Cell # (858) 864-3406 Consolidated Public Affairs Office Marine Corps Air Station Miramar 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

20. QUESTIONS/GUIDANCE Consolidated Public Affairs Office Marine Corps Air Station Miramar 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing