CommCentric Solutions’ Post

OFF THE RECORD talks with journalists can be a very impactful tool to address a story adequately. Knowing the rules of engagement with reporters is one of the most essential things a PR pro can do – and counsel their clients on. When communicating "off the record" or "on background," there's nuance and consideration required to manage both the opportunity and the risk. ✔ Off the Record: In these conversations, you share information that a journalist agrees NOT to use publicly. This can help clarify details, provide context, or influence a story's direction without direct attribution. Important: Confirm that the reporter agrees to these terms before you begin, as misunderstandings about "off the record" boundaries can lead to unwanted exposure. ✔ On Background: Here, the journalist can use the information but without directly attributing it to you or your company. Instead, it might be attributed to "a source familiar with the matter." This approach can be valuable when you want to offer insights without taking direct responsibility. But there are Advantages and Risks: ❗ Advantages: These methods can enhance trust and credibility with journalists, influence the narrative, and protect sensitive information while sharing it strategically. ❗ Risks: These interactions carry risks if managed poorly. Reporters may interpret "off the record" differently or assume "background" details are fair game for publication. Best Practice: Establish clear agreements with journalists before speaking, and remember that even private comments can sometimes surface unexpectedly.

This week’s word of the week is “pet hate”, referring to a particular thing that irritates someone. Earlier this week we received press release training from ‘best-in-class’ journalist Rob Waugh, who taught us how to write a great press release. A particular focus was in relation to industry buzzwords that are often overused in PR. We will now be able to ‘leverage’ his ‘groundbreaking’ and ‘innovative’ insights in our future press releases. During this training, we uncovered some of Rob's journalistic pet hates including ‘cutting-edge’ and ‘game-changing’. Using unclear words in jargon-filled sentences limits your audience, reduces readability, and increases the risk of misunderstanding. Time-pressed journalists prefer straightforward language. Instead of attempting to stand out with unoriginal words, Rob highlighted the need to keep your voice authentic and stay human. Clear press releases are more likely to engage journalists and receive the attention they deserve. Some other terms that journalists find particularly irritating are revolutionary, pioneering, unprecedented, paradigm shift and synergy. What are your pet hates? #WordOfTheWeek #PR #WeAreTFD #ThinkingFeelingDoing

Looking to get your business news noticed? Here's how to craft an effective press release that catches the media's eye. 📣 When to Write a Press Release Press releases are perfect for sharing major news like mergers, product launches, new partnerships, and event announcements. They help grab media attention and build excitement. 📰 Why Press Releases Matter Press releases can spark journalists' interest, leading to articles, features, and interviews that boost visibility and build reputation. 🔍 Finding a Newsworthy Angle Ask yourself if your story is new, unusual, or interesting to people outside your business. Make sure others will care before writing your release. 📝 Crafting a Strong Headline Your headline needs to grab attention right away. Make it engaging and accurate to pull in journalists who are looking for good stories. ✍️ Getting to the Point Quickly Journalists are busy! Get the essential information out in the first few sentences, covering the who, what, where, when, and why. 🎯 Targeting the Right Audience Tailor your press release for different media audiences. Local newspapers want local angles, while trade media look for industry-specific hooks. 🔢 Using Hard Numbers Support your claims with hard data when possible. Numbers make your press release more compelling and credible, helping journalists see the significance of your news. 🔍 Making It Flawless Proofread your press release carefully. Even small errors can turn journalists off. Get others to review it too to catch any mistakes. 🗣 Including Quotes Good quotes add a human element and credibility. Include quotes from key company figures or third-party endorsements. 📞 Adding Contact Information Always include contact details for follow-up. Make it easy for journalists to reach you with an email address and phone number. Got tips on crafting the perfect press release? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! #PressRelease #PR #Marketing

Looking to get your business news noticed? Here's how to craft an effective press release that catches the media's eye. 📣 When to Write a Press Release Press releases are perfect for sharing major news like mergers, product launches, new partnerships, and event announcements. They help grab media attention and build excitement. 📰 Why Press Releases Matter Press releases can spark journalists' interest, leading to articles, features, and interviews that boost visibility and build reputation. 🔍 Finding a Newsworthy Angle Ask yourself if your story is new, unusual, or interesting to people outside your business. Make sure others will care before writing your release. 📝 Crafting a Strong Headline Your headline needs to grab attention right away. Make it engaging and accurate to pull in journalists who are looking for good stories. ✍️ Getting to the Point Quickly Journalists are busy! Get the essential information out in the first few sentences, covering the who, what, where, when, and why. 🎯 Targeting the Right Audience Tailor your press release for different media audiences. Local newspapers want local angles, while trade media look for industry-specific hooks. 🔢 Using Hard Numbers Support your claims with hard data when possible. Numbers make your press release more compelling and credible, helping journalists see the significance of your news. 🔍 Making It Flawless Proofread your press release carefully. Even small errors can turn journalists off. Get others to review it too to catch any mistakes. 🗣 Including Quotes Good quotes add a human element and credibility. Include quotes from key company figures or third-party endorsements. 📞 Adding Contact Information Always include contact details for follow-up. Make it easy for journalists to reach you with an email address and phone number. Got tips on crafting the perfect press release? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! #PressRelease #PR #Marketing

Looking to get your business news noticed? Here's how to craft an effective press release that catches the media's eye. 📣 When to Write a Press Release Press releases are perfect for sharing major news like mergers, product launches, new partnerships, and event announcements. They help grab media attention and build excitement. 📰 Why Press Releases Matter Press releases can spark journalists' interest, leading to articles, features, and interviews that boost visibility and build reputation. 🔍 Finding a Newsworthy Angle Ask yourself if your story is new, unusual, or interesting to people outside your business. Make sure others will care before writing your release. 📝 Crafting a Strong Headline Your headline needs to grab attention right away. Make it engaging and accurate to pull in journalists who are looking for good stories. ✍️ Getting to the Point Quickly Journalists are busy! Get the essential information out in the first few sentences, covering the who, what, where, when, and why. 🎯 Targeting the Right Audience Tailor your press release for different media audiences. Local newspapers want local angles, while trade media look for industry-specific hooks. 🔢 Using Hard Numbers Support your claims with hard data when possible. Numbers make your press release more compelling and credible, helping journalists see the significance of your news. 🔍 Making It Flawless Proofread your press release carefully. Even small errors can turn journalists off. Get others to review it too to catch any mistakes. 🗣 Including Quotes Good quotes add a human element and credibility. Include quotes from key company figures or third-party endorsements. 📞 Adding Contact Information Always include contact details for follow-up. Make it easy for journalists to reach you with an email address and phone number. Got tips on crafting the perfect press release? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! #PressRelease #PR #Marketing

Looking to get your business news noticed? Here's how to craft an effective press release that catches the media's eye. 📣 When to Write a Press Release Press releases are perfect for sharing major news like mergers, product launches, new partnerships, and event announcements. They help grab media attention and build excitement. 📰 Why Press Releases Matter Press releases can spark journalists' interest, leading to articles, features, and interviews that boost visibility and build reputation. 🔍 Finding a Newsworthy Angle Ask yourself if your story is new, unusual, or interesting to people outside your business. Make sure others will care before writing your release. 📝 Crafting a Strong Headline Your headline needs to grab attention right away. Make it engaging and accurate to pull in journalists who are looking for good stories. ✍️ Getting to the Point Quickly Journalists are busy! Get the essential information out in the first few sentences, covering the who, what, where, when, and why. 🎯 Targeting the Right Audience Tailor your press release for different media audiences. Local newspapers want local angles, while trade media look for industry-specific hooks. 🔢 Using Hard Numbers Support your claims with hard data when possible. Numbers make your press release more compelling and credible, helping journalists see the significance of your news. 🔍 Making It Flawless Proofread your press release carefully. Even small errors can turn journalists off. Get others to review it too to catch any mistakes. 🗣 Including Quotes Good quotes add a human element and credibility. Include quotes from key company figures or third-party endorsements. 📞 Adding Contact Information Always include contact details for follow-up. Make it easy for journalists to reach you with an email address and phone number. Got tips on crafting the perfect press release? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! #PressRelease #PR #Marketing

I think there are two different versions of what everyone calls a 'press release.' My definitions are: 1. Press release – a piece of content written PRECISELY for the press. Thus, it serves the journalists' purpose: it concisely tells a newsworthy story that avoids buzzwords and lists facts with relevant materials for the media easily available. 2. Company release - a piece of content that informs people who are inherently interested in the company's milestones and new developments—in a nutshell, things that are important and interesting for the COMPANY itself, not for the press. There's a clear difference between the two. And too often, I receive the latter as a draft and I am asked to make minor changes and send it to journalists. Newsflash: a good PR professional won't let you do it. They will challenge you to think whether this is interesting for the PRESS as a PRESS release, and they will help you make it more interesting for the media. If your main goal is to get the earned media to write about your company and you want to use a press release as a medium, please write it for them. Even the name implies what it is for.

The power of context in journalism: Just my #PR perspective 🔍 Shen Yun Responds to The New York Times Article ‘Riddled With Inaccuracies’ I recently came across the New York Times article about Shen Yun Performing Arts that raised questions about media responsibility. As a PR professional, I pay close attention to how stories are framed, and this piece offers a valuable reminder about the power of narrative. Here’s what stood out: *The focus on a few former performers’ accounts overshadowed the broader context. *Critical details, such as labor law compliance, were buried late in the article. *Shen Yun’s response pointed out significant discrepancies that deserve more consideration. This serves as a crucial PR lesson: context is everything. In today’s digital age, sensational headlines often eclipse the full story, leaving readers with only part of the truth. As communicators, we must ensure all sides are represented fairly and responsibly. What are your thoughts on fostering balance and accountability in today’s media? What's your take on responsible reporting in today's media landscape? #PRInsights #MediaLiteracy #JournalismEthics #PublicRelations Full Article here: https://lnkd.in/gDHjaVfM

What do journalists' inboxes and today's digital sphere have in common? They're both filled to the brim with information. As the media battles news overload, we've seen an evolution of press releases and how they're best used to support a PR strategy. It's harder than ever to break through the noise. While press releases have traditionally been the go-to method for disseminating news to the media and the public, we've learned that not all news warrants one. For a successful press release strategy, it's crucial to evaluate which news is likely to catch attention, make an impact, and propel your company's story forward. The most important question to help you decide: "Is it newsworthy?" Check out Senior Account Executive Lexie Gardiner's latest blog to learn how to evaluate newsworthiness, avoid cluttering the news cycle, and ensure your brand's most impactful updates reach their intended audiences. #PRagency #techPR #publicrelations #pressreleases