Dealing with the Media/Press
Why is it (still) important
• Despite the near death of Print Media it is still
one of the last remaining form of credible
mass media
• Television news remains the only true local
source for electronic news.
Why it is important to Amateur Sport
•
•
•
•
•
Always looking to increase interest
Always looking to increase credibility
Always looking to increase ROI to Sponsors
Always looking to give benefit to members
Need to create and maintain relationship with
those who can help you get the word out
about your sport
Commandments to Live By
• Be consistent in your approach to the
Media/Press
• Be prepared to comment or deal with the bad
news along with the good.
• Keep them at arms length but treat them
politely and fairly
• Feed the beast!
Promoting an Event
Step #1 – Get Organized!
• Investigate and get contacts/emails for all
relevant media/press in the area.
• Create a distribution list
• Either:
a) send out information in advance
b) invite them to a Press Conference
Promoting an Event
Step 1a – Sending out Information
If all you are planning to do is just send out
information then make sure:
• You send it out at least five days in advance
• You keep it brief
• You have all releavant information and list of
contacts you could possibly have (aka. idiot
proofing)
Promoting an Event
Step 1b – Invite them to a Press Conference
If you’re going to take this step then:
• Book a nice place and plan to feed them
• Send out the invitation to the Press Conference at
least five days in advance and remind them twice
before the big day
• Don’t promote anyone in attendance unless you
can guarantee it.
• Do NOT ask for RSVP’s
Promoting an Event
•
•
•
•
•
•
Step 2 – Running a Press Conference
Make sure you have relevant people there
Check the Pro Teams Schedules
Try to go around 11:00 a.m. and run no longer
than 45 minutes. Start at 11:05 a.m.
Have places to sit but an open area in front of the
presentation area for TV Cameras
Have written handouts
Be prepared for Mosh Pit afterwards.
Promoting an Event
•
•
•
•
•
Step #3 – Get your crap together pre-event
Who is in charge of hosting media/press at the
event? Will there need to be food?
Who is in charge of results dissemination?
How will that be done? (MUST BE TIMELY!)
Does that person have the right lists?
Will there need to be access to the
participants by the media/press post-event?
At the Event
• Media/Press should get preferential seating
• Media/Press should get food
• Media/Press should get handouts (Media
Guides?, Releases?)
• Media/Press area should have internet access
• Media/Press area should have security and be
open for a least two hours post-event
Post-Event
Even if you think you had all the outlets you
wanted at an event you should:
• Send out a Press Release regarding the event
withing 30 minutes of its concusion
• Have someone stay and supervise the
media/press area until the last person leaves
• Thank them very much for their attendance.
VERBOTTEN BEHAVIOR!
Forgetting about the Little Guy
VERBOTTEN BEHAVIOR!
Being Rude or Insulting
VERBOTTEN BEHAVIOR!
Not showing up to comment on bad result
VERBOTTEN BEHAVIOR!
Embellishment
VERBOTTEN BEHAVIOR!
Inconsistencies
Cautionary Tales
• Be prepared to put the same effort in next
time or suffer the consequences
• Know your place on the Totem Pole
• Remember they are not your friend….but they
are not your enemy either.
• Roll with the punches