This document discusses media conferences and provides guidance on when they should and should not be used. It explains that media conferences allow an organization to deliver the same message to multiple media outlets simultaneously. They are often used for major announcements or strategic impacts. However, media conferences should only be held if the news is outstanding and cannot be conveyed through a press release or individual interviews. The document also provides tips for planning a successful media conference, including inviting media, preparing spokespeople, and considering webcasting and media relationships.
6. Also referred to as a media or press conference, or
media briefing
Allows an organisation to give the same message to
all relevant media, all at the same time
Often used for big announcements, or for strategic
impact, or for launches (and can be in conjunction
with familiarisation tours e.g. ChCh EQ zone)
The challenge is often getting the medias attention
and guaranteeing attendance (dont time your
conference to clash with something else significant or
a busy news time).
The News Conference
7. Reach many media at once
Minimise time & effort spent by your spokesperson
giving interviews
Minimise your costs in catering to journalists needs
by using economies of scale
When control/timing of message is key (e.g. interest
rate changes, disasters)
To clear the air, set the record straight, diffuse a
situation, or when theres a crisis
Why a News Conference?
8. Invite all relevant media with an email alert or
advisory (covering who, what, where, when, why) sound
interesting but dont over promise
Ensure you have the right (senior) staff to act as spokespeople
(ideally also available for one-on-one interviews afterwards)
Consider the right environment for the conference content,
and take care with logistics including parking
If its breaking news, any realistic time is acceptable; if its
routine, choose a convenient time that fits with the news
cycle (to optimise attendance) early in the week and before
midday best
A supporting media release should also be produced; perhaps
a full media kit
The Process
9. The MOST important thing to consider when planning a
media conference is:
WHY would the media want to come?
WHAT will they get out of it that they wouldnt get from
one-to-one, exclusive contact?
SEE something that will only happen ONCE
HEAR something that will only be said ONCE
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10. A media release could do same job
You dont have outstanding news
You only have good or simple news (see point one)
You dont want some things that havent yet been
uncovered to come to light, either on this topic or another
topic about your client
Your spokesperson cannot confidently and convincingly
answer all questions or good talent is unavailable
You could offer exclusives to get better targeted coverage
Dont have a conference if:
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11. Senior management or key personnel are required to
front a media conference (best if they are
personable, good voice, well presented/mannered,
quick-witted)
Your role as a PR or media advisor is to prepare these
people for the situation; to make a formal statement
or announcement and to take journalists questions
Key messages should be concise, conversational and
catchy (Johnston, 2007)
Media Training
12. Media conferences can (and probably should) be
streamed live online (and subsequently posted) part
of the shift towards visual PR
Webcasting is cost effective and opens your
conference up to a wider audience
Webcasting gives you more control over all aspects
of your message presentation (no editing); and is a
useful contribution to an online media room
(Breakenridge & DeLoughry, 2003)
Webcasting
13. In your role as a PR/media liaison, you will be
regularly interacting with and hosting journalists (and
preparing/training other organisational staff to
develop key messages and front up)
Events like media conferences will run more
smoothly if you have a positive professional
relationship (though not a friendship!) with key
media, and if spokespeople are well prepared
See your Doorley & Garcia (2007) reading for more
on reputational aspects
Journo PR Relationship
14. Next week is our last lectureI will also talk about
the exam then
Dont Forget