The Press isn’t PsychicJCU/FAOAntonio López

alopez@johncabot.eduwww.world-bridger.com

What does hunger look like?

Getting the Word Out:Opportunities and Obstacles

Obstacle: Newsroom

Chaos/

Information Overload• Deadlines

• Overwhelmed

• Overworked

• Competition

• Pressure from different groups

• Culture of media outlet

• Economic consideration

• Misunderstanding nature

of media

• Language barrier/use

• Inexperience dealing with

media

• Adversarial relationship

• Disorganization

• Lack of funding

• Lack of proper research

• Poor presentation of

materials

• Lack of professionalism

• Racism - Cultural

misunderstanding

• Miscommunication

• Difficult community

relations

• Competition with

elite/established/familiar

organizations

Common mistakes:

Opportunity• Build new relationships

• Outreach

• Expand audience

• Exposure

• Revenue

• Improve community relationships

• Get people in the door

Step 1:Research

• Map community outlets

• Formats (TV, radio, print)

• Specific programs, sections, markets

• Editors, writers, producers

Tips:

• Find out deadlines,

stick to them

• Learn proper spelling

of names

• Find out format

requirements for

media

• Label clearly

• Provide concise, clear

press packets

• Use phone

strategically

• Cultivate

relationships (editors,

writers, producers,

managers)

• Be well prepared

• Use the Web

Step 2:Develop Marketing

Strategy• What is your main goal? Why?

• Who is your target audience?

• What kind of message or event best suits this audience?

• What form of communication best suits your goals?

Develop Market Strategy

What is your main goal? Why

• Pass Bill XYZ.

• Kill Ordinance 123.

• Secure endorsements by select opinion and political leaders.

• Educate public about the issue.

• Stop discriminatory practices.

• Enhance the profile and visibility of your organization.

• Change misconceptions about an issue.

• Give voice to unheard people affected by the issue.

• Raise funds

Who are you trying to reach?

• Inside/Outside community

• Other communities

• Opinion-makers

• Community leaders

• Other cultural groups

• People of faith

• Experts

• Women

• Policy makers

• Gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders

• Youth

• College students

• Retirees

• Others

What kind of message or event?

• Style (humor, fear, informational, celebrity)

• Event (opening, performance, lecture/talk, festival, fiesta, music, etc.)

• General (get to know us)

More tips:• Be timely

• Be professional

• Be clear

• Make good impression with materials and presentation

• Follow-up, follow through

• Be polite (and angry as last resort)

• Be persistent

Antonio R. Lopez223 N. Guadalupe, #423

Santa Fe, NM 87501424-1465/antonio@world-bridger.com

www.world-bridger.com

7/1/03

Jonanna WidnerSanta Fe Reporter325 Marcy St.Santa Fe, NM 87501

Dear Ms. Widner,

Enclosed is a press release for the up-coming performance of My Country of Illusion at the CCA on July 26. You may recall that you mentioned us in your column about the High Mayhem music festival last fall. We’re the folks with the 2001 film samples and spacey guitars. I’m excited about this performance because we are working closely in collaboration with Jonathan Lowe, video artist extraordinaire. This performance will be truly multimedia and one of the most adventurous to be staged this year in Santa Fe. I’ve also enclosed our CD.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at 424-1465.

Thanks for your time,

Antonio R. López

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

1/15/03Contact: Antonio Lopez, 424-1465

SACRED TEMPLE

CELEBRATE EXOTIC WORLD BEATS ON CHINESE NEW YEAR

Join DJ El Tiki as he kicks of Chinese New Year with a night of intoxicating dance beats from around the globe at the new roving dance venue, Sacred Temple. This smoke and alcohol free environment is located at the elegant dance space of Pomegranate Studios. This is a dance club for those desiring to groove to electronic and tribal beats from London, Bombay, Cairo, San Francisco, Sal Paulo, New York, Paris, Madrid, Tokyo, Mexico City and other parts of the planet where music and technology combine for ecstatic and spiritual movement. Join us in a clean space to celebrate the world coming together and to respect our bodies and spirit with fresh air and good vibes, jamming in the ancient future!

About DJ El Tiki:

El Tiki (Antonio Lopez) has been a music writer and DJ in Santa Fe for over ten years. He formally was DJ for the Latin Night at The Paramount and has appeared on KBAC and KTAOS. He performs and DJ s locally and sells mix CDs nationally.

Who: DJ El TikiWhat: Sacred Temple: Exotic Trance Dance Music/World BeatsWhen: 8:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1/Chinese New YearWhere: Pomegranate Studios, 535 Cerrillos at Pase de Peralta above Sage BakehouseCost: $7 adults, Teens $5, Kids under 12 free

From: Stephanie Elizondo Griest To: deangraber@mail.utexas.edu Sent: Friday, January 16, 2004 12:04 PMSubject: story idea from Chicana travel writer

Dear Dean Graber,  Hola desde Brooklyn! I'd love to pitch a story for your show. This March, Villard/Random House will be publishing my memoir, "Around the Bloc: My Life in Moscow, Beijing, and Havana," which chronicles my experiences working with abandoned Russian youth, polishing Chinese propaganda, and belly dancing with Cuban rumba queens -- as well as my reflections on growing up in a biracial (Mexican/white) family in Corpus Christi. I'll be hitting some two dozen cities on my "Bloc Party" tour this year, including Austin March 30 - April 2. (On Wednesday, March 31 at 7 p.m., Mike Shea from Texas Monthly will be interviewing me at Book People as part of their Face to Face/Author Series.) 

One of the key themes in "ATB" is cultural identity. Only in the Communist Bloc did I finally come to appreciate my Latino culture -- by meeting former Sovietswho risked the Gulag to distribute underground samizdat printed in their native language, and Tibetans who braved sanctions by continuing to prostrate before their gods. They had risked so much to maintain their indigenous culture, while I had deserted mine -- never even bothering to properly learn Spanish. In "ATB", I question why, and ultimately resolve to make some changes.

In addition to promoting pride in one's cultural identity, I hope to inspire more Latinos and people of color to get out and see the world through this book. Latina Magazine, Hispanic Magazine, and Estylo are featuring it this spring, and I'll be headlining Tony Diaz's "Nuestra Palabra" March showcase in Houston. I would love to work with you on a piece for "Latino USA" as well. Please call me any time at 650-784-5389.  Muchisimas gracias for your consideration -- I truly appreciate it.  Saludos,   Stephanie Elizondo GriestAuthor, "Around The Bloc: My Life in Moscow, Beijing, and Havana"Villard/Random House, March 2004www.aroundthebloc.comBrooklyn, NY650-784-5389

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