Getting positive attention from the media can be challenging. Having a media plan is valuable because talking about fire sprinklers presents opportunities to increase awareness. Members of the media may become interested in a sprinkler story if they are provided with good information supported by the right outreach tools.
This webinar will review: types of media and how to
identify contacts; why it is important to understand the audience and to define the key messages for them; how to find the most effective angle and the right timing; the importance of establishing credibility; and the differences between earned and paid media – both valuable. This webinar will also include a review of free home fire sprinkler resources and how nonprofit organizations like the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition can support and enhance your media outreach.
Learning Objectives:
1. Recognize fire sprinkler media outreach opportunities
2. Identify types of media and the best ways to distribute information to each type
3. Identify the audiences, key messages, best angle and timing
4. Utilize HFSC resources to help media prepare accurate fire sprinkler stories
Speaker: Peg Paul
Peg Paul has been the communications manager for the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition since 1997. She has worked with HFSC’s board to develop and implement educational programs that include media outreach for consumers, members of the fire service, the home building industry, water purveyors, and other stakeholders. She founded Peg Paul & Associates, a marketing communications agency, in 2000. Her team specializes in public safety awareness programs and in addition to HFSC, has been retained for this purpose by some of the leading national safety advocacy groups, trade associations, and industries. Peg serves on the board of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Fire & Life Safety Section, is a past board member of The Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors and was AFSA’s 2014 Fire Sprinkler Advocate of the Year. Peg and her husband retrofit their home with fire sprinklers 19 years ago.
