Magna Offers Media Relations Seminar

Has Your School Built Positive Media Relationships?

All community colleges want to have good relationships with the media. Whether through neglect or a lack of knowledge, some higher education institutions fail to build strong, constructive media relationships. As a result, they run the risk of repeatedly receiving negative instead of positive coverage, which can be especially damaging in the event of a crisis.

The good news is that a positive relationship with the media can be achieved through practical, proactive steps. Most importantly, it’s an investment that can pay off far into the future not only through stronger media relations but also through improved relations and a stronger image with alumni, supporters, and the general public.

If developing a better relationship with the media is one of your priorities, be sure to attend a 90-minute online seminar on Wednesday, December 10. Led by Richard Pokrass, a leader in community college public relations, “Building Positive Media Relationships That Last” offers proven strategies and tips that can result in long-term, beneficial media relations as well as positive coverage about your institution.

In this seminar you will learn how to

• Develop, nurture, and maintain a positive, lasting relationship with print and broadcast reporters;
• Create or enhance a crisis communications plan to be sure you are fully prepared to engage the media should a disaster or emergency situation occur; and
• Better understand the impact and workings of new media such as the internet and satellite radio, as well as new, influential cable TV entertainment programming containing news content.

In addition, Pokrass will show you how to conduct an effective self-assessment to identify areas to focus on in improving your school’s media relations efforts, as well as a timeline to help in monitoring progress.

Richard J. Pokrass is Dean of Institutional Advancement at Burlington County College. His responsibilities include oversight of the college foundation, alumni association, and graduation-related activities. He is past president of the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations, a 1,500-member affiliate council of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). From 2004 through April 2007, he was an active member of AACC’s Commission on Communications and Marketing. During his time as Burlington County College’s chief public relations spokesman, Pokrass coordinated media relations efforts through such crises as staff and faculty strikes, a multimillion dollar fire, PCB contamination, the abduction of a student, the death of the college president and his wife in an airplane crash, and more. Through these years, Pokrass received more than two dozen regional and national awards for outstanding public and media relations.

During this live, interactive seminar, you will be able to ask questions and to directly benefit from Pokrass’s experiences and award-winning approaches for building successful media relations. You will also be able to offer approaches that have worked for you, as well as to learn from the experiences of other participants.

This is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in learning how to build better relationships with the media. Join us for this event and you will come away with practical strategies and tips to help you:

• Build positive, lasting media relationships;
• Create an effective crisis communications plan;
• Improve an existing crisis communications plan; and
• Better understand new media.

All League members receive a 20 percent discount on this seminar.

For registration information, go to http://www.magnapubs.com/partner_resources/league.html/.