Media kits

objectives

• Deconstruct media kits & analyze all elements

• Discuss project two

• Offer examples for you to look at

Press kit goals

• Highlight an issue/event• Gather attention/promote positive event• Respond to/minimize harm from negative event

• Establish your organization’s authority• Make a name for the company• Establish your presence/importance in the

community

• Show how to use your organization’s experts• Provide contact information• Be media-friendly

Press kit elements

• Cover letter/press release

• Fact sheet

• Backgrounder

• Additional promotional materials

Cover letter

• No more than one page

• Should explain the purpose of your company

• Brief review of major accomplishments/highlights you would want the press/clients/investors/donors to know

• Explanation of the press kit

• Your contact information

Cover letter format

Fact sheet

• No more than one page

• Gives brief facts about the organization

• Often using bullet points

• Often uses subheads to divide up information

• Often includes mission statement/list of leaders

backgrounder

• Introduces the company

• Introduces the experts/important people

• Establishes:• Organization’s products/services • Organizational goals• Media-friendliness

backgrounder

• Begin with concise statement about importance of the organization• Example: “Clinical social workers provide the majority of

the nation’s mental health services.”

• Explain why the company is important to the community

• Explain important issues the company has tackled

• Describe some successful events/products from the past

• Single-spaced, 2-3 sentences per graph, 1 page

Additional features

• Question & Answer sheet

• Photos

• Promotional materials

• Biographies (with photos)

• Graphics/charts

• Other ideas?

My expectations

• Be creative

• Clean copy – grammar & AP style

• Be promotional (make me want to attend/buy)

• Do the legwork

• Make it presentable

Project info

• Due Friday, Aug. 3, 5 p.m.

• Ideas due by tomorrow night (Friday) for approval

• Progress conferences on Tuesday

• Examples of press kits online

• Grading & rubric

announcements

• Press releases due today by 5 p.m.

• Current events/readings quiz from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today

• Readings for Monday:• Chapter 5 (Sources & Online Research)• 10 Tips for Teaching Journalists How to

Effectively Use Social Media (link on our website)