These slides support the June 25, 2014 ACE panel discussion "Hitting the Bull's-eye: New Media Relations Strategies for Reaching Target Audiences." The slides are by Keri Collins Lewis in the Office of Agricultural Communications and are related to an in-house campaign to increase media relations outreach by county Extension agents.

1. Start Spreading the News
An In-House Campaign to
Increase Media Relations Outreach
By County Agents
Keri Collins Lewis
Media Relations Manager

2. “We don’t know what you do.”
Phase 1
• Media Relations training, Quick Bites
• Web page, Extension publication P2739
– http://www.oac.msstate.edu/news-help.html
– http://msucares.com/pubs/publications/p2739.pdf

3. “We don’t know what you do.”
Phase 2
• Weekly email with links to media releases
• Media relations tips
–Tie in with particular stories
–Relate to current events

6. Survey says …
• 56% of respondents read the email
• 94% of respondents like the list of what
we’ve sent out
• 89% have read one or more news stories

7. Survey says …
• 89% find the weekly tips helpful
• 83% have a better understanding of how
to work with the media
• 33% have increased their media contacts

8. Unexpected Results
• Name recognition
• Increased requests for help, coverage
• “Help! I’m going to be on TV …”

9. Contact me with questions!
Keri Collins Lewis
662-325-0131
klewis@ext.msstate.edu