Alexson Calahan, APR’s Post

Theater kids, you are ready for media relations. If you dabbled in improv, you already know the single best phrase to help you have greater impact when a journalist calls. "Yes, and..." is the creative juice that moves improv skits forward with plot and momentum. It's also the magic that helps you understand what kind of story the journalist is building and what roles your organization can play in how it is told. When I get an inbound media call, I always consider what I would have included if I'd made the pitch. Offer more than the requested quote or stat. Breathe life into it by adding the professional or lived expertise of confirmed and trained spokespeople. Add depth by offering a new perspective on an old problem. Empower and educate with access to the folks on the ground doing the day-to-day work. Get wild, former theater kids. All the media's a stage.

"Do one thing every day that scares you." - Eleanor Roosevelt Diving back into standup comedy has taught me invaluable lessons and continues to push me out of my comfort zone in the best ways. I’ve also found important parallels in my career in public relations (PR). In both PR and comedy, the goal is to connect and resonate with the audience. In PR, the audience is who you aim to reach with your news, and in comedy, it’s who is in the room. In comedy, not every joke will land, and you have to quickly pivot and keep the audience engaged. In PR, unexpected questions from reporters or shifts in the narrative require you to think on your feet and sometimes alter your course. You need to be adaptable in both. Here’s to making people smile and telling engaging stories, one way or another!

Be sure to read Atlanta Film and TV’s latest conversation with Founder/PR Director, Valerie Harris.To read our post The REEL deal about Publicists. A Conversation with Founder/PR Director, Valerie Harris of Creative Public Relations, click the link in our linktree. For more content and to stay up to date be sure to subscribe to atlantafilmandtv.com #atlanta #film #tv #publicist #actors #filmmakers #producers #directors #writers #publicists #journalists

Our next episode of The Starfish Storytellers has been released on YouTube by Bedford TV (Bedford Community Access Television, Inc) - Check it out! 👇 The link is in the comments down below. 👇 Journalists and public relations professionals take us on a journey when they tell a story. To be a good storyteller across the media, you have to be able to get close and convey that. In doing so, you’ll connect with the reader in a memorable way. In this episode, we welcomed our friend Tom Zuppa,  PR Director from John Guilfoil Public Relations and former Managing Editor for The Sun of Lowell.  After an attention-grabbing story he shared (that you’ll want to get lost in), he shared his expertise in storytelling, both as a journalist and in public relations.  Curiosity is # 1 as a journalist and effective communications are key. PR is about reputation management and brand awareness, so be sure to convey the impact and the results. Storytelling across the media may not always be easy, but when you focus on character, dramatic arc, and a sense of place, you can make your stories truly transportive.  #thestarfishstorytellers #tomzuppa #reputationmanagement #publicrelations #staycurious #journalismstories #blackdogmarcom

MediaRelations.io featured some of my insights on #crisiscommunications in their recent article "How Can Messages Be Tailored for Different Audiences?" https://lnkd.in/e-_grWs7 MediaRelations.io

We recently redid our website at Pace Public Relations and worked to develop this page on our skillsets in assisting clients get on #broadcast television. #TV is *not* easy to break into ... unless you happen to be a former TV news booker (that's me!). Following the #newscycle and being a #newsjunkie is in my DNA, after working for nearly a decade as a producer at MSNBC, CNN, HLN, CNBC, Fox News TV, Good Morning America and others. At Pace, we expertly position our clients as #subjectmatterexperts and put them on camera -- a form of #thoughtleadership. Going on camera in the #media increases your overall #brandawareness, #visibility and helps elevate your credibility. Of course, it also can lead to more sales, customers and clients. #PR is changing and for SURE the media landscape is as well. But #TVnews + #cablenews will always be around -- in one form or another -- and as long as it is, those clips will continue to provide a deep value. Check out our work here: https://lnkd.in/emfheWsw

Here are five detailed PR tips for companies aiming for more broadcast news appearances and because "Anchorman" was released 20 years ago next week I’ve themed this post around the classic comedy because I love that movie: 1. Craft a Compelling Story Like Ron Burgundy: Just as Ron captivates audiences, your story should be engaging and newsworthy. Tie it to current events or trends to make it irresistible to broadcasters. 2. Build Relationships Like the Channel 4 News Team: Develop strong connections with journalists and producers, much like the camaraderie in the newsroom. Personalize your outreach and maintain regular communication. 3. Prepare a Press Kit as Polished as Ron's Appearance: Ensure your press kit, including a press release, images, and b-roll footage, is as polished and professional as Ron Burgundy's iconic presence. 4. Train Your Spokesperson to Shine Like Veronica Corningstone: Make sure your spokesperson is well-prepared, confident, and camera-ready, just like Veronica. Media training can help them deliver your message effectively. 5. Be as Responsive as Brick Tamland with a Weather Update: Quickly and efficiently respond to media inquiries and deadlines, demonstrating your reliability and eagerness to collaborate. If you stay classy and follow these tips you might become kind of a big deal to your clients.✌️ #publicrelations #mediarelations

For those of you in the #PR world, you will want to check out this interview with HAVAS Red US Dara A. Busch and Doug Simon about how the #communications landscape continues to evolve. #mergedmedia

What is a rip and read in broadcast PR? And why can it mean low effort but BIG results? 📢   A rip and read is a press release (which is known in the broadcast PR world as a ‘broadcast advisory’) that you can add audio and footage to for broadcasters to use without the need to arrange a specific interview.    By recording your company spokesperson relaying the key messages of a campaign, you provide assets to broadcasters that mean they can quickly and easily get your story out there.    This low effort and time-saving tactic is perfect for news-bulletin style announcements which don’t lend themselves to interview, and for time-poor company spokespeople who can’t make a round of interviews.    It’s simple, but it’s strategic - and it can get you heard on both regional and national news outlets.    #BroadcastPR #MediaRelations #PRTips Shelley Cukier

Simple but strategic - what more could you ask for?