I love working on the fall media blitz for our 50+ PrimeTime Living Expo and Girlfriends Expo & Getaway. These are well-established shows, which means it’s my job to keep the media interested year after year. Luckily, we have a seemingly endless supply of story lines.
For events that have been around for a while, look at what worked in previous years. Could that angle still be a draw? How can you re-bait the hook?
For example, last year the big news from the Fall 50+ PrimeTime Living Expo was the 50+ Strut Your Stuff talent contest. Wow , the media loved this. It was ‘American Idol meets the 50+ characters’ with the energy, talent, and the right moves and music.
Last year, first place winner John Ward wowed the crowd and the media with his piano playing and vocal talent. Talk about unusual, Ellen Janski danced her way into 2nd place on her head to Wipeout and scored several newspaper feature articles. The media is anxious to see what interesting talent this year’s show will unveil. We can’t wait!
Another good tactic is to look at what’s already trending because the media is actively looking for fresh ideas on certain topics. Fashion and glamour are always hot for the women’s market. Last year, the media was drawn to the Girlfriends Expo & Getaway by a fashion show sponsored by the Hope Chest for Breast Cancer.
This year we already have huge media interest for the ultimate fashion show, presented by St. Kate’s Fashion Merchandising and Design Program students. Move over Project Runway. “We’re planning a visual smorgasbord!” says fashion design student Brianna Westlund. Will America’s next top designer get a head start right here in our own back yard? We will have TV and print anxious to cover these up-and-coming designers with their exciting fashion sense.
