Introduction:
This web page
has been created to assist CAAA Executive members, Regional Coordinators
and members with respect to public relations activities in support
of CAAA activities.
PR toolbox:
There are various
PR tools that you can use to communicate information to the media
and general public, these include:
News
release: A fundamental PR tool, the news release is the
primary initial means of communication with the widest media audience
about an event or issue.
Example:
CAAA
news release format
Media
Advisory: A media advisory is used to alert a wide media
audience to upcoming newsworthy events. It does not require the
same level of information as a news release as it typically is focused
upon announcing an event that does not require detailed amplification.
For example, a media advisory may be used to announce a media availability
such as special media access to an event that does not require transmission
to the general public.
Example:
CAAA Media Advisory
format
Backgrounder:
A backgrounder is a PR tool used to provide supporting detailed information
on an issue to the media in conjunction with a news release or media
coverage on specific issues. For example, a backgrounder could provide
greater detail on the "Belt of Orion" award in
support of a CAAA news release.
Examples:
CAAA Backgrounder
Belt of Orion Backgrounder
Public
Service Announcement: A PSA is used to advertize an upcoming
event. Although it shares common attributes of any advertizement
it differs from advertizing as it is not paid for. PSAs are carried
by the media as a community service under CRTC regulations provided
that certain conditions are met in terms of brevity, content, public
interest. PSAs are by nature very brief in terms of available time
when used. Radio PSAs are typically no longer than 30 secs (aprox.70
words) and often much shorter 10 - 20 secs (25 - 50 words). PSAs
must therefore be brief, concise and still try to capture the audience's
interest.
Media
story: Public interest in an event can be generated by
media coverage as a result of a story on your organization and its
activities. News releases may generate a story as the media delves
into greater detail concerning your event/issue. Media stories can
also result from journalists looking for stories in subject areas
of interest such as art columnists covering aviation art as a niche
area of interest or in support of related issues such as a story
on aviation art in support of a larger story such as a major aviation
milestone. In either case, the media story is another opportunity
for PR support. The stories may be a feature story that has aviation
art as a focus (e.g. Aviator magazine special edition on CAAA/ Westjet
article on CAAA) or a news story that has the CAAA mentioned (e.g.
Altitude is Everything Newsletter No.2 article on CAAA display in
Kelowna).
Media
interviews: Media interviews are opportunities to communicate
CAAA key messages to the public while highlighting the work of the
CAAA and its individual members (e.g. SHAW Cable TV coverage of
CAAA Kelowna art display).
Internet:
The "New Media" is a term that refers to the growing convergence
of Mass Media into a new form incorporating the communications revolution
brought about by the introduction of the world wide web with its
unprecedented and continually growing ability to transmit detailed
information in various formats to an essentially unlimited audience.
The Internet offers a direct means of access to this audience through
a visual medium especially suited to an art organization. In this
respect, it presents the CAAA with an outstanding opportunity to
reach out to a very large audience through the CAAA and related
web sites such as this one.
Advertizing:
Finally, paid advertising is another PR tool available. While restricted
by a limited budget, there may be occasions where limited advertizing
is cost-effective and worthy of consideration in support of CAAA
events such as local/regional displays. Another option in this respect
is sponsorship or partnering with other interested organizations
such as air museums in order to obtain advertizing for events. The
partnering option is especially useful and CAAA event organizers
may consider approaching PR opportunities from a partnership perspective
with other organizations. For example, an air museum providing the
venue for an art exhibit may be amenable to a joint PR approach
and may assist in the dissemination of CAAA PR products and in the
staging of media events.
CAAA PR
Policy:
Coordination of a truly national PR campaign in support of CAAA goals
is difficult and complicated by limitations on resources. While certain
PR activities must remain at the national level for coordination purposes,
the opportunity for PR activities at the regional level should be
seized upon to provide support to CAAA activities at that level.
This guide is designed to assist that process. The examples and formats
provided can be used to produce event specific PR products at the
regional/local level. In order to maintain overall PR coordination
I would ask that regionally/locally produced PR products be forwarded
to me prior to their dissemination so that a central archive can be
maintained and so that I can be made aware of the PR activities being
conducted regionally. In addition, forwarded PR products will be reviewed
as part of the process of providing PR advice in my function as the
CAAA PR officer. As such I am of course available for advice and guidance
as required. Good luck in your endeavours in supporting the CAAA through
your PR activities.
Paul
Seguna
CAAA PR
Tel: 250-558-5503
e-mail: pseguna@shaw.ca