Media Relations
Media relations is the art of communicating effectively with the people who report the news. Few people realize it, but most stories that you read in the paper or hear on the news got there because someone called up a reporter and pitched a story, or because that person knew how to respond when a reporter called.
Ideally, any media relations advocacy effort should be linked to a larger strategic communications plan that is built around a clear organizational goal, e.g., securing political support for legislation, defeating a ballot initiative, or changing public opinion.
Typical media relations activities include:
- Pitching story ideas and spokespeople to reporters, editorial writers and columnists
- Writing press releases
- Placing op-eds and letters to the editor
- Responding to news developments
- Planning news conferences and other events
- Tracking how an issue is covered
| “I worked with Emily on a day-to-day (actually often hour-to-hour) basis for more than a decade. She’s one of the best media relations people I’ve ever met; a strategic thinker who enjoys talking with reporters and pitching stories to them. Overall, Emily is one of the finest communications professionals out there.” |
| Phil Gutis, Communications Director, Natural Resources Defense Council and former Legislative Communications Director, ACLU |
Emily Whitfield is highly skilled in these tactics, and she knows how to transform complex policy objectives and legal issues into news stories that create a powerful narrative about an organization’s work.
As a staunch First Amendment advocate, Emily appreciates and respects the role of the media and she will help you create lasting relationships with the journalists who cover your issues.
While many of Emily’s clients do not have communications staff and rely on her for all of their communications needs, she has also come to the aid of larger nonprofits, foundations and PR agencies whose communications staff is overwhelmed and who need a trusted professional to outsource all or part of a campaign.