News Release Writing 101

This past weekend was the 18^th annual Black heritage fashion show hosted by the Sigma Delta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Yes! The show was a success and yes, you missed out on the event of the year.

 

AKA Hosts of the Black Heritage Fashion Show 2011

This type of introduction will have people wanting to continue reading your news release. What is a news release, you might you ask? It is a written article directed towards the news media or an audience for the purpose of announcing an event that is newsworthy.

First, you need to start out with a headline. The headline communicates what the article will be about. It is the “spark” that will have people wanting to continue reading and being interested in your article.

Next, comes the dateline. This states the location of the event and the date of the event as well. I had such a difficult time making sure to add this and have it written it in the correct form. An example of a dateline, Eugene, Ore., Feb. 26, 2011 – your first sentence should attract the interest of the reader. Notice the AP Style form of the state and the month in the date. These are important things to note when writing a successful news release.

The content in the news release is supposed to be newsworthy. This means that your audience will be interested in reading about what you have to say. This section should also include the “where” and the “how” of the topic along with all the necessary event information. Be sure to include a quote that provides significant information as long as it sounds real and human-like.

e.g. “With all the work that went into producing this show, from the beginning of the New Year to now, we have been working diligently to ensure that this show was even better than the last,” says Sigma Delta Chapter President Kierra Fantroy-Harrison. “We want to thank all of our models, friends and family who came to support because without them our show would not have been as successful.”

 

News releases should be no longer than one page, if it does end up being more than a page, you should include “-more-” at the bottom of the page. Another thing to add to your news release is a boilerplate. This is a short “about” section that provides background information on the issuing company, organization, or individual. It should look like this, Teeona Wilson is a senior studying public relations and advertising at the University of Oregon. Also include, at the top of the next page, “Abbreviated Title – 2” to be professional for the for the media source. Don’t forget to add the three pound signs centered at the end of your release.

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This all may seem like a lot but it is quick and easy and you’ll be sure to get the hang of it once you’ve written a couple of releases.

Be sure to look out for the Fashion Show news release in my next posts.

iPhone 5 – Really?

Scheduled to release in June or July of 2011 Apple has decided to, once again, come out with another iPhone. What makes this phone better and more innovative than the last four phones? While some experts believe that the new phone will be much smaller and thinner in size, in all actuality, those experts are wrong. Apple’s new iPhone will remain the same size. In order for it to run effectively it cannot be any smaller than it already is. With the arrival of this new phone will also come the arrival of the new 4G network. Some people don’t realize that the iPhone 4 still uses the 3G network. Here are seven reasons the iPhone 5 is rumored to be a more compatible phone:

1.     It’ll have a faster, multi-core processor.

2.     It will consist of an integrated graphics upgrade.

3.     The new NFC technology makes iPhone your iWallet.

4.     Its new antenna will help with the signal strength.

5.     It’ll have a better camera with 1080p video recording.

6.     There will be new LTE 4G speeds.

7.     It could possibly cost less.

iPhone 4

Because of the antennagate scandal about the decreased signal strength from the way the phone is held, Nicholas Kolakowski stated,

“Apple’s longstanding habit of not providing official comment—and keeping its upcoming products out of sight—helps fuel speculation and the company’s cachet” (Kolakowski, 2011).

This comment is in response to the crisis that Apple is dealing with right now. There has been a rumor that Apple will soon be forced to issue a recall of all the iPhone 4s due to an issue regarding the antenna, which is because of a hardware flaw. It is interesting to me that there is an issue with this seeing as though none of the phones have ever had external antennas. Crisis communication experts say that Apple hasn’t put forth their best effort to respond to this dilemma.

“Apple needs to put this fire out now,” said Dr. Larry Burton, “There has to be a military-like response to this issue. And we have not seen this kind of urgency” (Kahney, 2010).

Kahney compares Apple’s situation to the Toyota recall because they failed to step up to the public and make a formal announcement about the issue at hand. It is true that Apple has put themselves in a vulnerable position, because people much like myself are put in a bind when we can’t decide whether we want the iPhone or not. One piece of advice for Apple employees would be to think of a better way to manage crisis plans and make sure that they are staying on top of their news’ and gauge what their publics and stakeholders have to say about them. This will help them from being the target of nasty rumors and being subjected to the petty name-calling.

PRSA- Connecting vs. Networking

In a recent PRSSA meeting, we met with a young woman, Julie Williams, who talked with us about ways to get involved with PRSA once we graduate and the things this organization can offer us as young professionals.

 

To begin with, Julie Williams is the director-at-large of new professionals for the Portland chapter of PRSA. For those of you just tuning in, the Public Relations Society of America serves to act as one of the industry’s leading voices on the important business and professional issues of our time. Julie graciously gave us a few tips on what to expect upon graduation and how to secure our image to be prepared for the professional world.

The first comment I remember Julie telling us was, ‎”Just like a husband, you’re not going to find everything you need in one mentor. So choose a few!” I know as far back as I can recall, I’ve been told that it’s important to have one solid mentor—this is clearly not the case. It’s true for certain situations, but in this professional world, I’m sure I’m going to need more than one mentor to help me make a positive name for myself and help me with job hunting. Right off the top of my head, I know that I have someone who helps me perfect my writing skills and gives me great feedback on my writing samples and cover letters. I also know someone who is able to help me get my foot in the door when it comes to networking and building a foundation with companies and professional people. These are all important things to know and have when you are choosing your mentors.

Finding connections can be even more important than networking. What is the difference between finding connections and networking? When you build a connection, you are molding a foundation between you and that particular person or organization. This relationship is going to last you longer than a one-time meet and greet. You may not recognize the difference, but once you start “connecting” with people, you’ll soon be able to distinguish between them both.

Connecting with individuals

Another great tip Julie gave us was to go to 100 coffees a year. I’m sure you all are thinking to yourself, “100 coffees? That’s a lot of coffee and I don’t even drink coffee.” Well, in essence, it is simply saying that you should enjoy a nice luncheon or tea several times of year with many different professionals or even your mentors to make connections with hopes to further strengthen the connection you’ve already built.  This is to ensure that you are meeting new people and you are touching bases with someone you’ve already connected with. Many opportunities arise as the months slowly come to an end. You want to be prepared to apply for that job that has recently opened up or make sure that your cover letter is up to date, whatever the case may be.

If you aren’t using LinkedIn, then you better start using it now. LinkedIn is a professional networking tool that enables people to build connections with other members on the site. LinkedIn allows users to have contact details of people they know in different businesses. This site permits users to research prospective companies with which they may be interested in applying for and it allows a company to do some research on a position they are trying to fill. It’s a great site to use for business connections.

Julie was able to leave us with a lot of thought-provoking tips and ideas for ways to get connected in the professional world. As young professionals, we should know what we want and go after it—not letting anything or anyone stand in our way. We need to maintain our positive brand image and sell ourselves. However, this should be done in the most professional way possible.

Podcasting – It’s Fun and Easy!

I listened to my first podcast the other day. The topic was on “personal branding.”

I actually enjoyed it—much to my surprise. The only encounter I’ve had with podcasts are the Joyce Meyer sermons my mom plays throughout the whole house while she is doing some cleaning or cooking dinner. From these encounters, I’ve realized that listening to podcasts is so easy, and podcasts are very easy to subscribe to. A simple click on iTunes and you are instantly connected to the world of podcasting. It’s so convenient; all you have to do is download and listen.

Some great tips to think about when podcasting:

1.     Podcasting can be audio or visual.

2.     Podcasting can be done while multitasking.

3.     Podcasting can be a great component of blogging.

4.     Podcasting can establish a human connection with your organization.

5.     Podcasting can increase the likeliness of loyalty from a public with its organization.

6.    Podcasting can be a great tool for having interaction with the company.

7.     Podcasting can be cheap.

8.     Podcasting can establish thought leadership: this is a type of business strategy when you give free content away as you establish leadership in your community.

The personal branding podcast that I listened to was from a website called Inside PR. One of the main points that stuck out to me was that authenticity and transparency were the most important things when trying to establish your own personal brand. Another tip that one of the hosts said was, “Don’t try to create a personal brand that differs from who you are.” This is very true; too many people try to have an image that isn’t who they really are – they want to portray someone that they aren’t to be more enticing to other people. Also mentioned in the discussion was learning to enhance the qualities that you have and downplaying the ones that aren’t necessarily prominent. This means that you should be sure to highlight the positive traits about yourself and try to work on but not necessarily announce the negative traits. For example, I would make sure to let jobs know that I do a great job at uploading and constantly using my social media sites; however, my area of improvement is to comment on other people’s blogs and interact with their social media sites.

These are all helpful tips when you are trying to start your own podcast as well. To get started, you want to know what you want your podcast to be about. Is this going to be a series of podcasts that are uploaded weekly? Will you only create a one-time podcast? Once you figure out those logistics, you start to actually create your podcast. You’ll want to have some lovely intro and outro music and a catch phrase when signing off. Show notes are important to use on your site as well; these are transcribed notes from your show that can be used so your audience can follow along and use them as a resource when referring back to your podcast. One program to create your podcast in is Audacity. This is a free recording and editing site that is available for Mac and PC users. Good luck downloading creating your own podcasts!

Five Facebook Fan Page Techniques

In class on Tuesday, we critiqued organizations’ Facebook fan pages. I couldn’t help but to check out the Victoria’s Secret fan page— I was impressed.

Victoria's Secret Facebook Fan page

In the reading from my Journalism 452 Strategic Public Relations Communications class, I noticed that Victoria’s Secret was a brand that does really well when trying to network with other platforms; this is partly because of its Pink line. I think they do a wonderful job at incorporating their fans and promoting sales within stores. They use a lot of multimedia pictures of  modeling the clothes, and they uploaded some of the pictures from the latest photo shoot, which is always fun to look at and admire.

My favorite post was about the different teams’ BCS gear that their fans would be rocking; they had two different sweatpants sets—Auburn or Oregon. I wish I had known about that on game day; I probably would have gone out and spent even more money at that store. The biggest promotion they have going on is the “Pink Nation membership” that saves members a lot of money on their in-store purchases and special rewards once a member spends a certain amount. From class lecture, I learned how to better market my organization’s page on Facebook.

I am one of three people in charge of monitoring and updating my sorority’s fan page. On our page, we give our audience updates of the latest events that we are planning on our campus and also let people know about important dates in history that mean something to our chapter, such as our founding date. From the reading, there are five elements of creating a successful Facebook fan page:

1. Networking with other platforms
2. Creating a resource
3. Creating contests that include participation
4. Empowering pre-existing pages
5. Targeting the proper demographic

One of my favorite tips was learning to connect my sorority’s fan page with a corresponding networking platform, such as the American Heart Association. According to Samir Balwani, the No. 5 tip for creating a successful fan page is learning how to target the proper demographic. As of right now, we have already done this task by inviting students, mainly women, who would be interested in joining the sorority, to “like” our page. From reading my blog and learning about these tips, I hope that you have a better understanding of managing Facebook fan pages. Good luck using these tips!

McDonald’s- On The Up and Up?

In my haste to come up with a public relations topic to write about for my blog, I came across this article that talks about how McDonald’s had a successful year in 2010. I find this extremely hard to believe, seeing as though this fast food restaurant is rated No. 1 on my fast food DON’T list. I know I’m not the only person who thinks that this restaurant is not the best when it comes to the inconsistency of its food products and expensive sauce add-ons.

In the article by the PR Newswire, it states that there are more than 62 million customers around the world that choose McDonald’s. I can’t imagine that many people actually liking this horrible tasting food product. To date, there was a 5 percent sales increase since the last quarter when they calculated these findings. They generated strong sales and delivered profitable share growth.

In America alone, anyone who watches television or drives by a McDonalds knows that they are frequently creating new ways to promote their products. The company always has something new to try for that time of year— it seems to be helping the company tremendously. I will admit— McDonalds does a great job at advertising their products in an innovative way. This company focuses on brand reliability and attracting more customers with the accepted Monopoly promotion and the addition of the new coffee drink to the already flourishing McCafe menu. In my opinion, this is the only reason why they have been doing so well. Anyone want to debate this?

I’ll give them some points for their core values, which are honest and in my experience of going to this restaurant is that the employees have been a lot nicer and understanding. If I say, “I’d like fresh fries please?” They respond with a smile and hop to it. That’s what I appreciate most, instead of the employees just trying to heat up some cold fries—I know the difference.

One thing I came across from reading their Corporate Social Responsibility website was their Code of Conduct for Suppliers. I’ve never taken the time to sit down and read other businesses Codes of Conducts, but I felt that McDonalds’ was very honest and real. One way, in which they consider themselves socially responsible, they said was by being a welcoming community for all of their shareholders and anyone who interacts with them on any level. I like how they take into consideration and recognize that diversity plays a key role in the way that they interact with the communities on a Global level. I learned, from looking on their Corporate Social Responsibility programs, that they offer scholarships to students from communities who aren’t able to gain access to educational and career opportunities. These particular scholarships are funded through the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Mock News Release

My mock news release for LaMichael’s big news:

LaMichael James, A Threat To All Mankind

EUGENE, Ore., Dec. 6, 2010 – LaMichael James is named the fourth finalist of the Heisman Trophy competition. This Texas- born native came to the University’s campus ready to take over Autzen Stadium.  With only one year under his belt, as a sophomore, he already tops the NCAA in scoring – averaging two touchdowns per game.

James is a 5-foot-9-inch Running Back, 185-pound threat to other players. He is the second Oregon player since 1954 to be considered a Heisman finalist. Of all the finalists, he is the only one that is not a quarterback. In previous years, other Duck finalists were, Dennis Dixon, fifth in 2007; Joey Harrington, fourth in 2001; Jay Grabeal, ninth in 1939; Norm Van Brocklin, sixth in 1948; and lastly, George Shaw who placed eighth in 1954.

“I still can’t believe I have the honor of being apart of such a wonderful competition. Our team works hard on the field everyday just trying to make it to the top spot!” Says Heisman finalist, Lamichael James, of the University of Oregon.

The winner of the competition will be announced on ESPN on Dec. 11, 2010 at 5p.m. PST. Other Heisman Trophy finalists include, Andrew Luck of the Stanford Cardinals, Kellen Moore of the Boise State Broncos and Cam Newton of the Auburn Tigers. On Thursday Dec. 9, 2010, James will travel to Lake Buena Vista, Fla., to attend The Home Depot College Football Awards show.

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Biography of a Director

Dennis Munroe Director of Physical Education and Recreation

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dennis Munroe

Phone:  (541) 346-4153

E-mail: dmunroe@uoregon.edu

 

 

 

In the very early years of 1973 to 1988, Dennis Munroe was employed at several establishments as a physical educator and recreation administrator. He received his master’s degree in education from the University of Dayton. In his spare time, if he isn’t thinking of ways to expand the Recreation Center or responding to the “Tell it Like it Is” cards, he is dominating the squash courts and learning the names of each employee.

 

For 10 years, Munroe has served as director of physical education and Recreation since 2000. In 1988, he came to the University of Oregon to serve as director of aquatics; he then spent eight years trying to befriend the beavers at Oregon State University, where he spent his time doing campus leisure administration. Realizing that he couldn’t stay away from his beloved duck community, he returned for the final time to Oregon where, he continues to have a smile on his face.

 

Munroe is a driving force behind the structural design and expansion planning of the Recreation facilities. He eats, sleeps and breathes The Recreation Center, and that certainly shows through his desire to “get the ball rolling,” as he would say in the next phases of the renovation.

LEGO Group news release

Contact: Teeona Wilson

Day: (503) 890-4286

E-mail: twilson6@uoregon.edu

 

 

Legos Become The Building Blocks to Space

 

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL., Nov. 2, 2010 – Don’t you wish you were able to say, “I’ve worked on a LEGO project that will be heading off to space soon?” The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has signed a three-year Space Act Agreement with the LEGO Group that will authorize the use of NASA’s space exploration missions as ideas at the LEGO Group.

 

In addition to the agreement, special LEGO sets will be sent to the International Space Station aboard the shuttle Endeavour’s STS-134 mission that is scheduled to take off February 2011. Students across the country will be able to work with real-life astronauts in creating the different sets. Children will learn the challenges that astronauts face when working on projects.

 

“Thanks to this new LEGO agreement, Jared, who used to play video games, now wants to spend his afternoon going to OMSI and seeing the space rocket building exhibits,” recalls Susan Doe, mother of three boys.

 

The purpose of this agreement is to not only educate but also inspire children about science, engineering, math and technology. Experiencing these subjects at a young age enables youths to gain hands-on experience these subjects – ultimately, enabling them to gain interest and seek more experience, as they grow older.

 

A small LEGO space shuttle will board the shuttle, Discovery, on its final STS-133 mission to space from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010: This will be a symbol that commemorates the agreement.

 

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Student Recreation Center news release

Rec. Center Expansion in the Works

EUGENE, Ore., Jan. 15, 2014 – Is too much buffness in the cardio room making it hard to workout? The Student Recreation Center is proposing a new expansion to its facilities to decrease the clutter and increase mobility. The Recreation Center is functional and working, but it fails to accommodate the number of enrolled students, and it is not adequate to house future numbers of enrollment.

“We outgrew the SRC almost immediately upon opening in the year 2000. On the first day of the 2010-2011 school year, there were more than 6,000 people who entered the Rec,” recalled Director of Physical Education and Recreation Dennis Munroe.

The beginning of the expansion includes three phases. The first phase, which began in the 1990s, included the addition of the Leighton pool, racquetball courts and other plans that had to be removed to stay within the budget limits. Phase two consisted of 79,000 square feet of renovation and 49,000 square feet of additional recreational space, in addition to six covered tennis courts, which were completed in 2000. The next couple of phases are scheduled to be in progress by the time the 2010 freshman are seniors, in 2014.

Phase three included the addition of the swimming pool. It also consisted of the renovation of administration offices and reconfiguring space to improve circulation and administrative efficiency. Phase four and five involve putting in a viewing platform over the additional tennis courts located next to the Tennis Center and turning the 58-year-old Gerlinger pool into a single multi-purpose room. The locker rooms will be taken out to accommodate the multi-purpose room.  The process consists of a planning team made of up representatives from the following groups: PE & Rec, U of O Planning Office, EMU Club Sports, and also the SRC Student Advisory Board. These groups meet monthly and conduct workshops to get the ball rolling for this phase.

“A nationwide research project conducted on university campuses revealed that students who participate in fitness activities are more likely to succeed at their college work and be more satisfied with their overall college experience,” states Munroe. “Our goal is to enhance the lives of our student body.”

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