Presentation to the North Alabama African American Chamber of Commerce (NAAAChamber) in Huntsville Alabama March 18, 2014

1. HOW TO GET PUBLICITYA Practical How-To for Your Business or Nonprofit
Lori Miller, Sales Marketing & Research
WHNT News 19
Tuesday, March 18, 2014

2. HOW TO GET PUBLICITY
Let’s talk about common questions about publicity tactics
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3. IS THE
PRESS
RELEASE
DEAD?
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4. COMMON QUESTIONS
RELEASE BETTER IDEA
Reason-my event Reason-impact of my event
Event details – sentence form Event details – bullets
Typed quote from spokesperson People available for interview
Event location Video / Photo opportunities
Boilerplate Boilerplate + links to media page
Media contact Media contact
Should I send a press release?
For TV – think visual!!

5. The event is never
the story. The story
is always about the
people behind the
event.

6. COMMON QUESTIONS
Who should I send my information to?
Get to know
the…
• News Director
• Assistant
News Director
• Assignment
Manager

7. http://naprca.org/wp-content/uploads/NAPRCA_Pitching-stories-to-Alabama-Media-Group.pdf

8. “And the mayor’s going to be there!”

9. COMMON QUESTIONS
How early should I send it? When is too late?
Understand the news process (review
meetings at 9:15am and 1:30pm)
Events after 3pm make it difficult to tell
complete stories
Know what you’re competing against
Timing is everything!
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10. COMMON QUESTIONS
How do I get an in-studio interview?
Ask!
Book early
Prep your speakers
Arrive early
Bring extras
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11. COMMON QUESTIONS
How do I get a PSA?
• The message of the PSA reflects a need in the community
• PSAs must be one of the following lengths: :10, :15, :20, :30 or :60.
• WHNT News 19 no longer accepts PSAs on tape
• No business logos or audio mentions for sponsors . And no websites that sell
products
• PSAs promoting an event must be received a month before the event. Provide
start and end dates for campaign
• WHNT News 19 cannot guarantee PSA placement
on our schedule
• Can’t provide list of air times
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12. COMMON QUESTIONS
How do we get WHNT to be a media partner?
Understand the number of asks
Provide a tangible benefit – both ways
Proposal for WHNT Marketing
Committee

13. COMMON QUESTIONS
A FEW MORE THINGS TO KNOW
It’s a 2-way (be available)
Customize your pitch
Exclusivity
Email is excellent

14. COMMON QUESTIONS
THANK YOU!
LORI MILLER
WHNT News 19
lori.miller@whnt.com
@lorimillerwhnt
linkedin.com/blorimiller