A significant component to building or enhancing effective community relations rests with having a good working relationship with the local media. The local media play an important role in community dynamics – to challenge issues and organizations, to present issues of interest to the community, to act as a catalyst to shaping opinions and to cover local news. Local media influence municipal politicians and also regional, provincial and federal politicians.. More importantly, local media often feed directly into the major media.

• Media Relationships – Local media have different pressures than major media: they’re usually understaffed and overworked. They’re expected to cover a wider variety of stories than major media. Understanding this – and also not taking them for granted – are key elements in establishing effective local media relations.
• Media Planning – When looking at local community relations, local media should be an active component. Whether it’s an event, an issue needing help, or just getting some general news out, the local media need to be a part of that. Advertising in local media can be almost as important as an adjunct to media relations.

We Can Help You:

• We build your relationships with local media.
• We can help you put together the news and/or advertising about your organization’s issues and events.
• We can help you be better communicators with the local media.