PLANNING FOR THE MEDIA
CLEAR MEDIA PARTICIPATION/ATTENDANCE
WITH CONGRESSIONAL OFFICE
Once the congressional office approves media
attendance, contact your local media outlets,
including
large daily newspapers, as well as local
weeklies. Offer to send your own report and
photos to the
paper.
DRAFT A MEDIA ADVISORY, IF DESIRED
Once the date is set, draft a media advisory
containing the date, time, specific location,
parking accommodations and lighting
requirements, if any (see page 7 for a sample
media advisory). Note whether the tour itself is
open for press coverage and if the legislator will
take
questions after the tour. Give the location.
E-mail the draft to
the legislator's local press
officer for approval. When approved, fax or e-
mail the advisory along with a press
kit and
company information to everyone on your press
list.
PREPARE AREA FOR NEWS MEDIA
Arrange for an area outside of your facility for
presentations, ribbon-cutting (if appropriate)
and informal discussions with the news media.
This area sh
ould be in front of your company's
signage or logo.
PREPARE A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO
Prepare an "op-ed" or letter to the editor from
your
CEO to your local newspapers on an issue
related to the legislator's visit. Better yet,
arrange a meeting
with the newspapers' editorial
boards seeking support for your
position. Reach
out to local radio stations for an interview.
6
