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Holiday Hot Tip: Create a Big Bang Through 4th of July Media Opportunities

Posted By Stacey and Regina, Your PR Pilots on June 15th, 2010

Ahhhh, holidays! Most people get excited for a day off work; we get excited for all the public relations opportunities holidays provide. Don your red, white and blue brainstorming hat and come up with a media angle that resonates for your business. Here are a few to help jumpstart the process:

  • 4th of July Safety Tips - Have you ever heard of the expression, “If it bleeds, it leads?” This is a common cliche used among the press, meaning that the top news stories are typically not the “feel good” philanthopic stories of the day. Those are saved for the second half of the news. This may seem a bit extreme, but the media will even cover the “dark side” of the holidays. The 4th of July is particularly fraught with dangers such as drinking and driving; fireworks; boating safety; fire safety…the list goes on and on. Even something like staying out in the sun too long can be a news hook for a dermatologist, or parenting expert or sunscreen company. Can you leverage your product or expertise to speak to these issues?
  • 4th of July Parties - Nutritionists: whip out those eating tips for a delicious and healthy holiday. Party planners: what are the hot trends for an innovative 4th of July? What are some inexpensive things people can do in this economy to still create a festive environment? Chefs and restaurants: here’s a prime opportunity to get your dishes covered. Same with food products.
  • 4th of July Festivities - Is your store or company doing something to celebrate 4th of July that’s a bit different, family-friendly and fun? For example, one year we had a hair salon chain host “Patriotic Hairpainting” at various 4th of July events across the country. The stars and stripes were temporary (think face painting - but for your hair); and for every person that got their hair painted, a donation was made to a charity. Can you implement a similar visual activity on a local level in your own community that will help your company get noticed?

With these ideas to start, you can blast into the media in no time. Have a safe, happy and press-filled 4th of July!

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Talk About the Weather

Posted By Stacey and Regina, Your PR Pilots on July 28th, 2009

Known for its power to spark small talk, the weather is also a great opportunity to generate a media hook. Without a doubt, the weather generates constant news chatter, from national to local.

In addition to a dedicated meteorologist (weather person) on every news station, and Meredith Viera’s query to Al Roker about the weather in Africa as her daughter was traveling there, weather talk is often a popular discussion throughout any newscast.

How do you leverage this for your media hook? Find the right “season” for your business and pitch your story. For example:

  • Summer Heat Wave: Animal expert? Pitch hot weather safety for your pets. Dermatologist, skincare professional or skincare product? Pitch protecting your skin from the hot summer sun. Eyewear company? Deliver sunglasses to all the hosts on a morning news show. Food-related? Deliver ice cream snacks on-air, or teach viewers how to make homemade ice cream treats using your ingredients.
  • Hurricanes: Teach broadcast audiences everything they need to have at home to be prepared for a hurricane – this is great not only from an expert standpoint, but also for any product that is relevant, ranging from cell phones and water purifiers to hardware.
  • Snowstorm: Re-use any of the angles from summer for a winter slant, or “snow-specific” angles such as safety tips or products for driving in the snow.

Once you find the right hook to weather the media storm, you’ll start to see the press coverage come “pouring in.”

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