Remember:The news media have needs and goals, just as we do.Meet their needs and goals - work with them to create a compelling story - and they will work with you. |
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When you distribute press releases, in addition to including a copy of the Five Recommendations you can enhance your package with:
Don’t assume that editors will pay attention to your press release. They can receive hundreds of these a week, depending on the size of the paper. A follow-up call helps you make sure that your information stands out from the crowd.
The follow-up call also gives you a chance to:
Always take photos! They are great for future advertising, for group scrapbooks, for displays, and for your awards submissions. Have a committee member who is in charge of bringing a camera to every event!
Remember that it is also important to market to your committee members! Why not take a group photo at one of your meetings, then make a copy for everyone. Send the print inside the thank-you card you send to each committee member after your week is complete! This helps to make sure that you get help from people for the next program.
The PSA’s in this packet are general awareness messages. You can follow this format for your own PSA’s to a radio station. An advance phone call to your local radio station inquiring to whom the PSA should be sent is also a good idea.
Letters Editor
(Newspaper)
(Address)
Dear Editor:
This month, students at (SCHOOL) will join hundreds of thousands of others across North America in observance of National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week (October 79-25). It’s a time for all of us to commend these students for the progress they are making, promoting responsible decision-making the best way possible - peer to peer.
As a concerned citizen of the campus community, I often am confronted with the negative aspects of living in a heavily student-populated area. However, efforts like these constantly encourage me. It’s great to know that the majority of students at (SCHOOL) genuinely care about helping their friends and making safe and healthy decisions.
I want to encourage all of my neighbors to join me in supporting the activities surrounding National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week through our active participation in the many events they have scheduled. People can call 555-1234 for more information on the week’s activities.
Sincerely,
NCAAW has grown to become the largest single event in all of academia because students take the ownership in designing and implementing this observance for their campus communities. This week gives campuses the opportunity to showcase healthy lifestyles free from the abuse or illegal use of alcohol and to combat negative stereotypes of college drinking behavior.
“We need to do a better job of showing college students - particularly new students - that their peers are not all abusing alcohol and making bad decisions,” said (NAME), (TITLE), at (SCHOOL). “Students want to fit in and follow campus norms. If we incorrectly lead them to believe that everyone is getting drunk on a regular basis, then that’s what they will do. We have a responsibility to tell students that making healthy choices is the true norm. Then, we can begin changing public perception.” (NAME) said that among the signs of progress realized at (SCHOOL) are:ERROR[Unused arguments - too many, or wrong type] in:
(Insert bullet-pointed list, customized to your campus, as available...)
During NCAAW at (SCHOOL), students will have the opportunity to participate in several events, designed to reinforce responsible attitudes toward drinking and respect for current state laws and school policies. Those activities include:
(Insert bullet-pointed list of NCAAW activities, customized to your campus.)
Nationally, NCAAW is entering its second decade; it started with 25 schools in 1983. The program helps college administrators and students launch and/or strengthen year-round prevention efforts.
“What has set this program apart and contributed to its growth is its approach,” said Dr. Edward Hammond, NCAAW’s chairman and president of Fort Hays State University in Kansas. “Ultimately, this isn’t about alcohol, but attitudes. We don’t preach, we educate, and we empower students to take responsibility for their own decisions and environment.”