Internal Reporter’s Weekly Update with Heather Champine 6/12/09

IR: What did you do this week for Kocina Branding and Marketing Companies?

Heather: This week I handled all the media connections for an event, Hope for the Cities, produced by the Fortune 500 company Nash Finch and its foundation. The foundation donated 44 tons of food to reduce hunger and help the needy in the Twin Cities area. It was truly amazing because the CEO of Nash Finch Alec Covington and his wife Gail personally donated half of this donation. They really wanted to set an example for other major corporations to help others in need and also contribute to important causes.

IR: That is very interesting! In what ways did you handle the media connections?

Heather: I led a team of publicists in contacting major news stations, daily newspapers, magazines and radio stations to get media awareness. We primarily had the reporters do before-event stories to get the public educated and interested in the cause. We also worked with them to do media coverage at the event. Our efforts were successful, because many of the major news stations attended and did some great stories on the event.

IR: Awesome! Did you have a chance to attend this event?

Heather: Yes I did! It was an amazing experience for me because I got to see the results of our huge efforts. Everywhere in sight there were television and newspaper reporters getting stories, and everyone was in a great, giving mood.

IR: That is great news! How long did it take to get such successful media coverage?

Heather: My team of publicists and I started contacting the media three months in advance. We really stepped up our efforts a little more than 2 months before the event, which gave us enough time to get major news stations and newspapers ready to be on the scene.

IR: Great! Did you get the media to do any post-event stories?

Heather: Definitely. We got before, during, and after-event news stories. Since the event was for a great cause, it is very important to make sure the audience is aware of the ways they can also contribute. All of the media attention gives the audience a sense of what is going on, and they will be better motivated to attend and contribute to similar causes.

IR: Great Job! I cannot wait to catch up with you and your publicity team next week!