290 likes | 298 Views
Learn how to work effectively with the media to tell the ARB's story. Understand the importance of media relations and develop strategies for successful interviews. Gain insight into different types of media and how to effectively communicate your message.
E N D
ARB Media Training 2009 Brought to you by the Office of Communications
Why are we here today? Working effectively is critical to ARB’s success Need for framing issues
ARB is in the news EVERY DAY • Dozens of stories mentioning ARB run in newspapers, TV and radio every day around the world • Many ARB staff talk to news media • Millions of people rely on the media as their trusted source of information
The media is the most effective tool for getting our message out • Los Angeles Times average daily circulation: 907,997 Sacramento Bee average daily circulation: 248,855 San Francisco Chronicle average daily circulation: 252,000 • Sacramento TV news weekly viewership KCRA Ch. 3 – 1.9 million KXTV Ch. 10 – 1 million KOVR Ch. 13 – 1.1 million KUVS Ch. 19 – 1.8 million And it’s free!
Effective media relations • Can help us get our job done at ARB • Media still has high level of credibility • The public has a right to know • If we don’t tell our story, someone else will.
Agenda • What is news? • Office of Communications – what we do, who we are • ARB’s media policy • Preparing for an interview • Print, radio, TV, trade press, weblogs, social media, foreign language media – how they differ • Strategy • How you can help tell the ARB story • Q&A
What is news? Test your news I. Q.
Office of Communications – what we do, who we are • Office of Communications – what we do • Advise Chairman and Exec Officers on media strategies and potential public relations challenges and opportunities • Craft messages • Issue news releases, media advisories, statements • Organize press conferences and events when appropriate • Write letters to the editor, guest columns or op-eds • Facilitate interview requests
What We Do (Cont.) • Speech writing • Use the Internet as a communication tool – manage & over site of the home page of the ARB website • Use visual media – video, photographs – to tell our story • Assist staff with outreach plans and materials, displays • Compile and distribute daily news clips • Internal publication (AirWaves)
ARB’s Media PolicyA media policy is an important part of an organization’s operation. Reporters want to talk to the experts – you! • If a reporter calls or emails you, always let the press office know • If you’re in the field, talk to the reporter only about your area of expertise
When the news media calls • Contact the press office • Review the information file and talking points • Rehearse tough questions
Develop talking points • Talking points are the messages that we want to see in he ideal news story • The shorter the better • Keep the messages simple • Bring back to public health
Here’s what can happen when you don’t prepare talking points, or stick to them.
Develop tough questions • These are the questions that you don’t want to be asked, but should be prepared to answer just in case!
Tips for interviews • be prepared • know your messages and use them • be honest and open • don’t speculate: it’s okay to say, “I don’t know.”
More tips… • Use plain language, no acronyms • Stop talking • Remember that you know more than the reporter • Assume that what you say will be in print • Creative ways to say “no comment”
Power phrases • What we know now is…. • I’m going to tell you all I can…. • I don’t have that answer yet, but what I do know is…. • I want to make sure people understand…. • Let me go back to that first question….
Tricky situations may include • What if…? • I heard… • Off the record
Stories PIO is looking for • Interesting stories • Enforcement cases • Grants • Program developments • Regulations, new or changes • Good news stories Examples: New technology Effective reductions
The mediaPrint, radio, TV, trade press, weblogs, social media, foreign language media – how they differ
All reporters are not alike – traditional news media • Newspapers • TV • Radio • Trade press
New media • Bloggers • Foreign language media • Social media: Facebook, Twitter, MySpace
Strategy is key • Getting your message out • Proactive vs. reactive
What change can we effect • Call to action • Support for clean air programs • Behavior change