Wednesday Day 3 public relations project

At this time, everyone should have posted their project and group (Monday-classroom participation grade), as well as their 200 word response (Tuesday, writing grade)
The following is the summary of the project, which must be ready for presentation on Friday 10 February.

1. Two Public Service Announcements: 30 seconds and one minute. One of these must be in script format. Samples below.

2. A press release publicizing a related event Samples below


4. A detailed event budget, including advertising fees See section #4 below for details.

5. List of contacts for the events See section #5 below for details.

ALL MATERIAL-written out PSA (even if you have filmed it), the press release, the two promotional products, the event's budget and the contact list is DUE FRIDAY 10 FEBRUARY. They are not dependent upon your presenting the PSA to the class. Assemble all the materials neatly with a coversheet that has your organizations name and the members of your group. 3. Two of the following: posters, brochures, t-shirt or print ads or something else imaginative that will promote your organization.Divide up the work and make a timeline of who is responsible for what and when.
1. The public service announcement (who is writing the 30 second spot? the one minute spot?
2. Who is the speaker? who can best deliver the content? Are you filming or doing this live?
3. Who is designing / making the products? or brochure? or poster? These should be as close to professional looking as possible.
4. Events budget. You need some activity to raise awareness of your organization. Be realistic and imaginative. (Really that is not a paradox.) How much is this going to cost? advertising? space rental? caterers? speaker? Activities? Who might donate? What are you charging? How many volunteers do you need to make this successful?
5. You need a contact list. Who specifically liaises for this organization within our community?

#1 What is a PSA or public service announcement?
Unlike a press release, a public service announcement is usually transmitted electronically, via radio or television in a short spot of ten to sixty seconds. A requirement of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is that stations donate a certain amount of airtime to serve the public and the community. Most public radio and TV stations have a community calendar for which they will announce events to the public. Health or safety tips are included within this public service requisite.
A public service announcement typically heralds a community event, usually, but not always, for a non-profit organization. Commercial groups can also announce non-profit events or services. If you just want a pre-event plug, the community calendar is where you should direct your PSA. Many local newspapers also have community calendars so PSA’s are not limited to electronic media.

The following are some examples of public service announcements for the ABATE, an organization in Arkansas that defends the rights of motorcyclists.

Public Service Announcements:

10 Second PSA: WE COME FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE, BUT WE TRAVEL DOWN THE SAME ROAD. LOOK FOR MOTORCYCLES & SHARE THE ROAD. THIS MESSAGE BROUGHT TO YOU BY ABATE of ARKANSAS, www.arkansasabate.org

15 Second PSA: DID YOU KNOW THAT 75% OF MULTIPLE VEHICLE ACCIDENTS INVOLVING MOTORCYCLES WERE THE FAULT OF THE OTHER PERSON? DON'T BE PART OF THAT DEADLY STATISTIC, LOOK FOR MOTORCYCLES & SHARE THE ROAD. THIS MESSAGE BROUGHT TO YOU BY ABATE of ARKANSAS, www.arkansasabate.org

20 Second PSA: APPROXIMATELY 75% OF THE MULTI-VEHICLE ACCIDENTS INVOLVING MOTORCYCLES WERE THE FAULT OF THE OTHER PERSON. MOST OF THOSE DRIVERS SAID THEY DID NOT SEE THE MOTORCYCLE. DON'T BE PART OF THAT DEADLY STATISTIC. LOOK FOR MOTORCYCLES & SHARE THE ROAD. THIS MESSAGE BROUGHT TO YOU BY ABATE of ARKANSAS, www.arkansasabate.org

30 Second PSA: DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO RIDES A MOTORCYCLE? CHANCES ARE GOOD THAT YOU SEE MOTORCYCLE RIDERS WHEN YOU ARE BEHIND THE WHEEL. FOR THE REST OF YOU, YOUR CHANCES OF BEING THE PERSON WHO HITS A MOTORCYCLE RIDER JUST WENT UP 300%. THAT'S RIGHT, YOU ARE 3 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO HIT SOMEONE RIDING A MOTORCYCLE JUST BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH SOMEONE WHO RIDES THEM. DON'T BE PART OF THAT DEADLY STATISTIC. LOOK FOR MOTORCYCLES & SHARE THE ROAD. THIS MESSAGE BROUGHT TO YOU BY ABATE of ARKANSAS, http://www.arkansasabate.org/

Here are some more PSA examples; this time from National Public Radio

Thank You

(15 seconds)

Hello, my name is _______________, a teacher at ____________.

Thank you for supporting your local public school.

Together, we're making great public schools for every child. That is America's promise.

Celebrate American Education Week with us, November 13th through 19th.

A message from (station call letters) and the (local association name).

______________________

A Community

(15 seconds)

This week, November 13th through 19th, is American Education Week.

A good time to remember that caring teachers, education support professionals, substitute educators, and involved parents make the difference in a child's learning.

Together, we're making great public schools for every child. That's a dream we're working to make a reality.

A message from (station call letters) and the (local association name).

______________________

Watch Them Learn

(15 seconds)

Visit your neighborhood school during American Education Week, November 13th through 19th.

Watch children learning to think, solve problems, and cooperate on projects.

Better yet . . . ask how you can help reinforce their learning skills beyond the classroom.

Together, we are making great public schools for every child. That is America's Promise.

A message from (station call letters) and the (local association name).

_____________________

Teachers in America

(30 seconds)

America's public school teachers equip our youngsters with many skills.

They teach students to read and do math.

They teach children history and science.

They help them learn how to solve problems, resolve conflicts and cooperate with each other.

Teachers care about how and what their students learn.

Teachers want all of them to succeed.

Just like you--their parents and community members.

Please . . . come into our classrooms and see how we are fulfilling America's promise by making great public schools for every child.

Celebrate American Education Week, November 13th through 19th.

A message from (station call letters) and the (association name).

_____________________

What I Like Best (script for children's voices) (Script example)

(60 seconds)

Girl #1: What I like best about my school is my classroom teacher, (name), because he/she taught me how to read (name of book). When I grow up, I'm going to write a book.

Boy #1: What I like best about my classes is how we learn to solve problems and work together as a team. I can do a lot of things by myself, but I like being able to help others and work together to get a project done.

Girl #2: What I like best is biology--studying chromosomes and DNA. After I go to college, I'm going to medical school and become a doctor. If I could find the cure for cancer or diabetes or AIDS, that would be like totally awesome!

Boy #2: I'm not sure what I like best about my school. It's a toss-up--I like history, art and gym. Who knows? Maybe I'll be a historian. Or design computer graphics. Or be a basketball player. My mom, though, she'd like me to be a teacher.

Announcer: America's schools teach children to think, cooperate, solve problems, and much more.

Visit a school during American Education Week, November 13th through 19th, and see the future taking shape, one student at a time!

A message from (station call letters) and the (association name).

______________________

All the Difference

(60 seconds)

Sometimes one teacher can make all the difference:

A teacher who stays after school to help you understand an algebra problem.

A coach who tells you that you can do it--and gets you to run faster than you've ever run before.

A teacher who pushes you to do things you didn't think you could do--write a poem, create an algorithm, play a Bach sonata.

Sometimes one day in school can make the difference for a lifetime.

The day you learn how to read.

The day you win an award in the science fair.

The day you start thinking "I can" instead of "I can't."

November 13th through 19th is American Education Week, a time for celebrating the crucial differences that educators make in young lives.

The classroom is where students learn to think, solve problems, and cooperate with each other.

These skills are critical in shaping the future of America.

This week, visit your child's classroom and show your support.

Whether it's thanking a teacher, reading to kindergartners, or talking with high school students about your work, your support can make all the difference!

A message from (station call letters) and the (association name).

______________________

______________________

All the Difference

(60 seconds)

Sometimes one person can make a difference:

A classroom aide who stays after school to help you understand an algebra problem.

A crossing guard who assists your child across a busy street.

A computer technician who retrieves your once lost term paper from a disk.

November 16th is National Education Support Professionals Day, a time for celebrating the crucial differences that education support professionals make in young lives.

The school building is where students learn to think, solve problems and cooperate with each other.

These skills are critical in shaping the future of America.

This week, visit your child's school and show your support.

Whether it's thanking an Educational Support Professional, reading to kindergarteners, or talking with high school students about your work, your support can make all the difference!

A message from (station call letters) and the (association name).

#2  What is a press release?

Press Release Definition

Let us begin by reviewing what a press release is. By definition a press release is simply a statement prepared for distribution to the media. The purpose of a press release is to give journalists information that is useful, accurate and interesting. Get it? Useful, accurate and interesting; it is that easy.

Press releases are in all actuality ‘cookie cutter’. Once you get the hang of writing them, all you have to do is fill in the blanks. Press releases conform to an established format. Journalists receive so many press releases a day, they have set standards and expectations that you must conform to just to have your release read, let alone published. If your press release is printed ‘as is’, without changing even one word, then you know you have conformed to the journalistic standards of that particular medium. “Write on”, you’re doing a great job!

Press Release Format 

Read and follow carefully.

Press releases should be printed on company letterhead. (Use the logo of the organization you have chosen)  The organization's  name, web address, location address and phone number should be printed clearly at the top of the page. PRESS RELEASE should be spelled out in all CAPS and centered in bold. The press release contact person's name (that's you) should be underneath the wording and all contact numbers printed clearly underneath. (Use the school's number) If the press release is for IMMEDIATE RELEASE, say so, on the left margin directly above the title in all caps.

Title

The next essential component of the press release is the Headline or Title. It should be centered, and in bold. The heading of the press release should capture the journalist. The title of the press release should be short and snappy, and hopefully grabbing the attention of the journalist and impressing them enough to read on.

Content

You are now ready for the useful, accurate and interesting BODY of the PR. The body of the press release begins with the date and city for which the press release is originated. The body of the press release is very basic; who, what, where, when and why.

The first paragraph of the press release should contain in brief detail what the press release is about.

 The second paragraph explains, in detail: who cares; why you should care; where one can find it; when it will happen. Also, included in the second ‘informative’ paragraph is generally a quote that gives the release a personal touch. Touchy-feelies go a long way with journalists. Press releases and news stories are boring to journalists without a ‘human interest’.

 The third and generally final paragraph is a summation of the release and further information on your event with the event's coordinator's (someone in your group) contact information clearly spelled out.

The content of the press release, beginning with the date and city of origin, should be typed in a clear, basic font (Times New Roman, Arial, etc.) and double-spaced. If your press release exceeds one page, the second page should indicate ‘ Page Two’ in the upper right hand corner.  (Yours will only be one page)Journalistic standards have set basic parameters to define the end of a press release: ###. Three # symbols, centered directly underneath the last line of the release indicate the end of a it.

Checklist

• Company Letterhead, Name, Address, Phone Number, Web Address
• PRESS RELEASE in all caps
• Contact Person’s Name
• Immediate Release or Release Date(all caps)
• HEADLINE or TITLE in BOLD/CAPS
• BODY-Date/City-who,what,when,where and why.
• Catchy Text
• Sum it up…
• Basic Font, Double Spaced, Page Numbers, and ###

Here is an example of an event press release, which is mostly like the format you will use. Don't forget the logo

Morning Mist Health Foods
2 Foodroad, FL 35367
www.morningmist.com
Phone– 555.555.5555
Fax – 555.555.5555
Info@morningmist.com

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Manny Squire
Office: 555.555.5555
Pager: 555.555.5555

Morning Mist Health Foods Inaugurates College Town Marathon

Morning Mist Health Foods Inc. had its beginnings in Chapel Hill, NC. Now the national chain has returned to the college town to sponsor the First Annual Chapel Hill-Durham Marathon. The race will take place on April, 27th and has already attracted many well-known marathoners, including multi-race winners Herb Putkin and Shelly Walters.

“Morning Mist is all about health and staying young,” said company CEO Manny Squire, “What better way to give back than to have a road race between these two great college towns.”

Morning Mist was founded by Squire and college roommate Tracy Scroggins as a small health food store in Chapel Hill near the University of North Carolina campus. The company grew to several stores in the Raleigh area, including one in Durham near Duke University. Morning Mist has expanded to forty-five full-size grocery stores nationwide.

“The race will start in front of the Duke store and follow highway 501 to the original Chapel Hill store,” said company president Scroggins. “We hope this becomes a great tradition”.

Morning Mist Health Food was founded in 1989. It is headquartered in Raleigh, NC, and employs 12,500 people in the US and Canada. It is listed on NASDAQ as MMHF.

###

Example 2

CityScape Communications
447 North Walnut Springfield, IL 62703
www.cityscape.net
Phone– 217.535.1010
Fax – 217.535.1009
Info@cityscape.net

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Luan Aten
Office: 217.535.1010
Pager: 217.622.0134

CityScape Communications Forges Strategic Alliance with EduNet to Offer School Fundraising Solutions

Springfield, IL December 30, 1998 – CityScape Communications has signed a strategic alliance with EduNet of Springfield, IL. EduNet offers fundraising solutions to school systems in Illinois by reselling Internet services.
CityScape Communications will provide the Internet service, technical support and billing. School children will solicit family, friends and neighbors to sign up for Internet service to support their school system.
The EduNet fundraising solution provides school systems a much higher return than traditional fundraisers such as candy sales. CityScape Communications President and Chief Technical Officer Steve Horrighs, Jr. stated, “We are very happy to have formed an alliance with EduNet. We feel strongly that this fundraising program will benefit schools, not just by raising much needed funding, but also by offering affordable and reliable Internet services to communities that do not yet have access to the Internet.
CityScape Communications is a ‘total solutions provider’ offering expert data networking consulting, design, implementation and maintenance. CityScape Communications provides a wide range of data and telecommunications services, including Internet services, professional web site design, telephone systems and voice mail applications. For further information, contact Luan Aten at 888-248-9722.

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Section #4 details

You must plan a promotional event. You should keep it modest, as the more the splashier your event, the more complex the requirements for pulling it off.

1. Decide on the event. Suggestions: book signing; discussion panel; community get-together
2. Specifically where and when will it be held?  You must then find out how much it will cost to rent the facility. (research). How many people are you expecting? 
3. Tables and chairs? lighting? what is included?
4. What is the entertainment? How much? 
5.  Food? What and how much?
6. How many volunteers do you need?
7. How do you intend to raise money?
8. Each group must turn in a detailed description of the event, including specific costs for the above-mentioned items.

Section #5 details

     This is a list of the following:

1. The leaders of the organization that you have chosen. Try to find a local liason.

2. Two newspapers and radio stations that would accept your PSA and Public release announcements Include specific names and addresses. This is available on line.