WEBINAR: Media Advocacy: Getting Our Issues in the News

This session emphasizes how anti-violence advocates can work in partnership with traditional print and radio outlets to promote our message of anti-violence advocacy. Included with this webinar session are sample media talking points (listed below) that can be used by advocates to effectively communicate our messages of anti-violence during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, but also throughout the year. By using these message boxes (four main points) or triangles (three main points), advocates will learn a good way to stay on message during a media interview. These message boxes/triangles can be created around any particular topics. The intent is to remind the speaker of the main points they want to come out in any media coverage, regardless of the questions asked.

For example, when an interviewer asks a question, it's best to address the question then transition to one or a combination of the main points. Doing this, even though it may seem repetitive, is the best way to ensure that the message an advocate or organization want to promote are included in any resulting media coverage. Using this method may seem awkward at first, but with practice, it will become easier to artfully transition to the main points no matter what the interviewer is asking. Here are a few tips on how to organize the main points:

• First main point: Succinctly describe the issue
• Second main point: Highlight something innovative your organization is doing about it
• Third main point: Issue a call to action that viewers, listeners or readers can do to help
• Survivor story: Use an anecdotal story, without including identifying information, to illustrate your point

Presented by Brian Namey, NRCDV Communications Advisor
Brian Namey most recently served as the communications director for the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV). There he managed media relations, national and state-specific messaging, online media, and strategic communications. Before joining NNEDV, he was the press secretary at the Democratic Governors Association where he supported more than 52 gubernatorial campaigns in every state.