External Media

News Release

Tipsheet

Calendar Item

Public Service Announcement

As Kennesaw State University grows in size and expands in programs, there are an increasing number of events and news items to announce. In order to accommodate this increase, we need your help. Accordingly, the Office of Media Relations has developed the following guidelines for faculty/staff to use when considering media possibilities for news and events. These guidelines will help you describe to us which outlets you think might generate the kind of publicity you seek.

Once you have read the information below, fill out the online Publicity Form and submit it to our office.

News Release- Deadline - Varies, but 2 weeks minimum

  • News releases with quotes, background information and bios are sent when an event is news. Recent examples have included
    • Announcements of new degrees
    • Conclusion of the VPAA search
    • Our first student housing
    • Some summer programs for P-12 students and teachers
  • Often the whole story is told in the press release. A newspaper will run the story, but no reporter visits campus.
  • Other times a press release entices a reporter to visit campus or make calls in order to produce a broader story
  • For events, many reporters have said they prefer a tipsheet. If the event interests them, they will call for more information.

Tipsheet - Deadline - 2 weeks prior to event

  • Sent to photographers and reporters a day or two ahead of an event to make them aware of and invite them to cover the event
  • The information is not supposed to be printed in newspapers
  • Contain the same basic information as calendar items and PSAs, but also include details to entice a reporter or photographer to come out. Details could include
    • Interesting visuals that would appeal to a photographer
    • The name of a world-famous person appearing on campus
  • While we will send tipsheets about conferences, lectures and meetings, we have found that they do not routinely attract the media
  • Information for tipsheets must be received in our office at least two weeks in advance of the event.

Calendar Item - Deadline - 3-4 weeks prior to event

  • A short blurb sent to magazines and/or newspapers consisting of only the most basic information:
    • Event name
    • Date
    • Time
    • Place
    • Cost
    • Phone number to call for additional information.
  • Used to boost registration or attendance at an event
  • Appropriate only when an event is open to the public
  • The information must come to our office at least 3 months in advance if you’d like the calendar item sent to magazines; magazine deadlines are two-five months ahead of issue date
  • For newspapers, the information must reach our office 3-4 weeks in advance

Public Service Announcement - Deadline - 6 weeks prior to event

  • Very short (15 seconds) radio announcements containing much of the same information as calendar items
    • Event name
    • Date
    • Time
    • Place
    • Cost
    • Phone number to call for additional information
  • Used to boost registration or attendance at an event
  • Appropriate only when an event is open to the public
  • The information needs to reach our office 6 weeks ahead of the event. Radio stations insist that PSAs be snail-mailed and received four weeks prior to the event.

Publicity Form


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