What are the "New Rules of Engagement"??

It’s perhaps the biggest defining rift between PR and newsroom reporters: what’s the best way to pitch a story: traditional phone calls/email or social media such as Twitter, Facebook or blogging?

Click here to hear a lively discussion of News Generation’s radio panel from Thursday, June 18, 2009, featuring four of Washington, DC area's most influential radio decision-makers who addressed how to effectively build relationships and which method they prefer using.

Panelists include:

·Chilli Amar, Co-Host and Traffic Reporter, The Carson Show from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., MIX 107.3, twitter.com/ChilliAmar

·Leslie Bradshaw, Communications Manager, New Media Strategies, market leader in social media marketing and measurement, twitter.com/lesliebradshaw

·Mitchell Miller, Assistant News Director/Assistant Program Director, WTOP Radio, twitter.com/wtop

·Jen Richer, Web/News Coordinator, NewsTalk 630 WMAL, twitter.com/JenRicher

~ posted by Akilah Luke

Podcast available for PRSA-NCC's "The Evolution of PR in the Age of Obama"

"The Evolution of PR in the Age of Obama,” from PRSA-NCC is now being offered as a podcast of the professional development workshop which was held on June 17, 2009 at the U.S. Navy Memorial and Heritage Center. This podcast was produced by News Generation, Inc.

Consider it another step in the evolution of Public Relations. YouTube, Facebook, blogs and the innovative use of the Internet, web sites and massive grassroots campaigns utilizing call-to action e-mail groups and texting were key parts of the Obama team’s success both in generating public support and in raising unprecedented amount of campaign money. Since he has taken office, the Obama administration has sent word out to federal agencies to make these new technologies a centerpiece of their communications plans.

PRSA’s Professional Development Committee assembled a diverse panel of experts who examined ways public relations professionals can make effective use of these incredible new technological tools and how they can be incorporated in with traditional campaigns. The presentations evoked a lively discussion and helped the audience learn the best ways to successfully use social and digital media as part of their overall public relations strategies.The panel included:
• Monte Lutz, senior vice president of digital public affairs at Edelman
• Brad Peck, senior director of communications at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
• Allyn Brooks-LaSure, deputy associate administrator for public affairs at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Christina Pearson, senior vice president at Fleishman-Hillard
• Moderator: Phil Rabin, West Glen Communications and editor, Capitol Communicator

To download the podcast, click here.

posted by Susan Matthews Apgood

Learning about New Media at The New Rules of Engagement

On Thursday, June 18, News Generation hosted “The New Rules of Engagement: Tips, Tools and Techniques for Building Radio Relationships in the Era of New Media” panel at Maggianos in Chevy Chase. The premise of the discussion was to find out how reporters are really using new media to communicated with their listeners, to grow their audience, and to handle pitches and break news. For about a year, I have attended many social media panels, and have heard that “reporters love Twitter and are using it more than anyone else out there.” I wanted to put that theory to the test, and the answer was “yes” and “no.”Leading our discussion, the panelists included:

• Mitchell Miller, Assistant News Director/Assistant Program Director, WTOP Radio, on Twitter at twitter.com/wtop


• Jen Richer, Web/News Coordinator, NewsTalk 630 WMAL, on Twitter at twitter.com/JenRicher


• Chilli Amar, Co-Host and Traffic Reporter, The Carson Show from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., MIX 107.3, on Twitter at twitter.com/ChilliAmar


• Leslie Bradshaw, Communications Manager, New Media Strategies, market leader in social media marketing and measurement, on Twitter at twitter.com/lesliebradshaw and her blog http://www.lesliebradshaw.com/

After a brief introduction of the panelists, each described how long they have been using new media. And, the discussion continued through the great chemistry of the panelists. Each gave great examples on how they started in new media, and how it was shifting the way they deliver news and entertainment programming. Mitch Miller explained that WTOP is now a “digital media platform” instead of a traditional radio station. We learned that radio has made a seemless introduction into the world of new media, and efforts will only continue to grow.

Chilli Amar gave a great visual example equating new media to real life example. She said when you are in grade school and Johnny tells you that if you eat watermelon seeds, you will get pregnant. “Johnny” in this example is all of the social media network users out there. And, after Johnny tells that tale, you run home from school and say “Mom and Dad, it is true that if you eat watermelon seeds that you will get pregnant?” Mom and Dad debunk the myth, and they are the WTOP and WMALs of the world. They are the ones that fact check and confirm details before making any information public, and ensure that the truth will get out through their platforms.

After hearing the stories of intergration of new media with traditional, I think reporters are the second biggest fans of social media. Second after PR professionals.

We encourage everyone who attended the panel, and those who did not, to post questions for our panelists to keep the discussion going at: http://tuninginradio.blogspot.com/ or post a question on Twitter at www.twitter.com/newsgeneration.

posted by Susan Matthews Apgood

Last chance to register for June 18 panel!

The New Rules of Engagement: Tips, Tools and Techniques for Building Radio Relationships in the Era of New Media
Thursday, June 18 at noon - 1:30 p.m.Maggiano's Little Italy Chevy Chase5333 Wisconsin Avenue, NWWashington, DC 20015Metro: Red line to Friendship Heights
You will learn:
How radio reporters are using social media to gather news;
What works on news & talk radio;
Integrating new media into the traditional medium of radio;
Techniques to use; and
Preferred social networking sites for radio pitching.
Panelists include:
Mitchell Miller, Assistant News Director/Assistant Program Director, WTOP Radio, on Twitter at twitter.com/wtop
Jen Richer, Web/News Coordinator, NewsTalk 630 WMAL, on Twitter at twitter.com/JenRicher
Chilli Amar, Co-Host and Traffic Reporter, The Carson Show from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., MIX 107.3, on Twitter at twitter.com/ChilliAmar
Leslie Bradshaw, Communications Manager, New Media Strategies, market leader in social media marketing and measurement, on Twitter at twitter.com/lesliebradshaw and her blog www.lesliebradshaw.com
Register now for $27.50. Expert panel and lunch is included.
http://www.newsgeneration.com/dcinvite.htm

Please RSVP at clientservices@newsgeneration.com or call (301) 664-6448.
*Cancellation policy: If cancelled before Monday, June 15, 2009 at noon, a $7.50 service fee will be deducted. The charge is non-refundable if cancelled after Monday, June 15, 2009. No shows will be charged.

Two additional panelists added to June 18 panel

At PR events, we hear a lot about how reporters love new media, and applications like Twitter. Want to hear about it first hand?

This week, we added two panelists for our lively discussion on June 18th about new media and how it is changing the way reporters gather their news. Our newest additions are:
*Chilli Amar, Co-Host and Traffic Reporter, The Carson Show from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., MIX 107.3, on Twitter at twitter.com/ChilliAmar

*Leslie Bradshaw, Communications Manager, New Media Strategies, market leader in social media marketing and measurement, on Twitter at twitter.com/lesliebradshaw and her blog www.lesliebradshaw.com
To register for the panel, visit: http://www.newsgeneration.com/dcinvite.htm Hope to see you there!

News Generation hosts New Rules of Engagement Panel on June 18

The New Rules of Engagement: Tips, Tools and Techniques for Building Radio Relationships in the Era of New Media

Thursday, June 18 at noon
Maggiano's Little Italy Chevy Chase
5333 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20015
Metro: Red line to Friendship Heights

You are invited to a lively discussion on building relationships and using social networking tools when pitching news and talk radio with some of the area's leading radio producers, reporters and assignment editors.You will learn:What works on news & talk radio;The best radio pitches given;Integrating new media into the traditional medium of radio;Techniques to use; andPreferred social networking sites for radio pitching.

Panelists will include:*Mitchell Miller, Assistant News Director/Assistant Program Director, WTOP Radio, on Twitter at twitter.com/wtop*Jen Richer, Web/News Coordinator, NewsTalk 630 WMAL, on Twitter at twitter.com/Jen Richer.

Register now for $27.50. Expert panel and lunch is included. http://www.newsgeneration.com/dcinvite.htm

Please RSVP to Akilah Luke at clientservices@newsgeneration.com or call (301) 664-6448, by Wednesday, June 3, 2009. Space is limited.

*Cancellation policy: If cancelled before Monday, June 15, 2009 at noon, a $7.50 service fee will be deducted. The charge is non-refundable if cancelled after Monday, June 15, 2009.No shows will be charged.

Media Relations 2009 Part 2

For this year's Media Relations 2009, we were track sponsors of "Tactics that Work." On Monday, May 18, Michael Smart provided some great insights on having your pitches really resonate with reporters. What it all boils down to is something that we probably already know, but can never be reminded enough -- Do your homework! Know what reporters cover and provide insight into why your story would work for THAT reporter. Michael's pitching successes are legendary, so it's always worth heeding his advice.

Also on Monday, May 18, we heard from Katie Paine from KD Paine & Associates and Rob Key from Converseon about the importance of measuring the impact of social media, and despite what you may have heard, it actually can be done, as long as you know what your trying to gain from your social media efforts. Another insightful seminar was about what journalists look for in a corporate newsroom from Ibrey Woodall from TEKgroup International and an excellent case study from Deborah Meany from Prudential. Keeping your website easy to navigate and providing easy access to journalists were the primary takeaways here. And we ended the day with Jon Greer from MediaBridge provided information on getting corporate executives prepared for interviews.

On Tuesday, May 19, we had more good tips from seminars on Search Engine Optimization or SEO from Jon Wuebben from Telegent with tips and tricks that would surprise even the savviest of webmasters, like writing cleverly with metatags to help elevate your search engine results. Doug Dome and Peter Cumbo gave an entertaining and enlightening seminar on fostering a creative environment in the workplace to get the most creative work out of our teams.

The radio panel was interesting when the panelists were actually invited to speak which was about 30 minutes into an hour long seminar. Was happy to hear Steve Holt from WCBS use one of our recent interviews with Sam Waterston as an example of a good spokesperson and interesting topic!

Overall, an excellent two days with some tangible takeaways that we can all put to immediate use. Nice job Bulldog Reporter!