Media Relations Conference

About

Having a comprehensive media relations strategy is essential for any organisation and can help you steer your organisation through tough times.  The 8th Annual Media Relations Conference will feature presentations which delve into topics such as reputation management and building an effective media relations strategy through your organisation.  The Conference will discuss the use of social media and diverse media in media relations as well as look at how to lobby government so that they can champion your cause.

Featuring a combination of case studies and media relations experts you will hear from organisations such as the Ministry of Social Development, Northland Regional Council and Ports of Auckland.  A popular fixture at this annual event, our media panel features panelists from Scoop Media, The National Business Review and Kiwiblog who will debate how media relations professionals can best connect with the media in order to generate awareness and credibility about their organisation.

Agenda

Agenda: Day 1

8.30

Registration & Coffee

9.00

Opening remarks from the Chair

Alex Erasmus, Digital Strategist, Bullet PR

9.05

Building an effective digital engagement strategy through your organisation

The media landscape has seen a seismic shift due to the rapid increase in digital adoption. Every organisation needs to be aware of how this, and media relations in general, impacts their business.
• Ensuring your media strategy and brand are consistent
• Integrating online and offline activity
• Improving the perception and knowledge of your company
• Measuring the impact of digital engagement

Alex Erasmus, Digital Strategist, Bullet PR

9.55

Managing your reputation in the media

• Practical strategies for managing your reputation in the media’s eyes
• Understanding what is important to communicate to the media and what is not relevant or appropriate
• Knowing what is being said about your organisation and by whom
• The importance of implementing a media crisis management plan and understanding what the media wants in a crisis
• Managing brand reputation by building media relationships

Emily Watt, Consultant, Senate Communication Counsel

Please check back soon for presentation

10.40

Morning tea

11.00

Media Panel: Networking with the media to generate awareness and credibility

Media relations professionals need to know of how best to connect with the media; this panel will outline how this can be best achieved and the differences between different media channels.
• Understanding what information is required for news and story coverage
• Understanding media channels different requirements
• Details essential for putting together a press release
• Maintaining relationships with media contacts
• Assembling the story - adding in new information over time which the media can use
• Making your organisation interesting and newsworthy

Selwyn Manning, Co-Editor, Scoop Media
David Farrar, Founder, Kiwiblog
Stephanie Edmond, Project Manager - It’s not OK Campaign, Ministry of Social Development
Nevil Gibson, Editor in Chief, The National Business Review

11.45

Case Study: Using your relationship with the media to raise awareness

The It’s not OK Campaign aims to change how New Zealanders think and act about family violence. The Campaign uses various media channels, and personal stories and its relationships with the media to raise awareness of family violence in our communities.
• Changing the media’s attitude towards family violence
• Ensuring strong messages are used to convey the Campaign
• Different news outlets available and their effectiveness
• Using an audience driven approach to changing behaviour
• The way the news media reports the issue

Stephanie Edmond, Project Manager - It’s not OK Campaign, Ministry of Social Development

12.30

Lunch

1.20

Roundtables: Increase your knowledge on specific media relations topics

Roundtable 1 - Turning your organisation into a heavily quoted source
Facilitated by: David Broome, General Manager Strategic Communications, Federated Farmers of New Zealand

Roundtable 2 - Reputation management - how have you been able to manage your reputation in trying times?
Facilitated by:
Jason Dawson, General Manager - Community Relations, Northland Regional Council

Roundtable 3 - Practical tips for maximising your relationship with key media outlets
Facilitated by: Stephanie Edmond, Project Manager - It’s not OK Campaign, Ministry of Social Development

2.05

Media Relations – Working with journalists to achieve your goals

Mark Russell and Amanda Woodbridge will present insights and advice aimed at breaking down some of the myths and misunderstandings about media relations, working with journalists to achieve the best results for your organisation or client, and how to measure “success”. Crucial to success is an in-depth understanding and empathy for journalists, which will be invaluable in “selling in” your story, and in dealing with the media in times of crisis.

Mark will draw on his 25 years experience as a journalist in New Zealand, Fleet Street and in Hong Kong to provide insights and advice to delegates. Amanda will share Ideas Shop’s Potatoes NZ media campaign, which earned an international Gold Quill Award from the International Association of Business Communications as a case study in best practice media relations.

Mark Russell, Partner, Ideas Shop
Amanda Woodbridge, Associate Partner, Ideas Shop

2.50

Case Study: Communicating quickly and effectively to a diverse audience

Northland Regional Council needs to communicate with a large and diverse audience and deliver clear messages to the public. The council is using a range of tools including social media to communicate the outcomes of council meetings, civic issues during public consultation and natural disaster threats.
• Ensuring communication is delivered in a timely and accurate manner
• Working with different media outlets to communicate a message
• Utilising new media i.e. Twitter to communicate with the public directly

Jason Dawson, General Manager - Community Relations, Northland Regional Council

3.35

Afternoon tea

3.50

Media relations during a time of diverse media

With an increased number of media outlets there are more opportunities for free and wide-reaching publicity but what is the impact on the media relations profession?
• More opportunities for unpaid persuasion and greater utility for the skill of media relations
• Creating credible communication and enhancing your organisation’s perception by the media
• Understanding what type of media suits your audience and keeping up to speed with new communications channels

Craig Dowling, Senior Manager Communications, Ports of Auckland

4.30

Communication with the powers that be: The how to of lobbying

This session will give you the ins and outs of lobbying government and offer helpful hints on how to deal with government departments.
• Understanding the formal protocols of lobbying government
• Using informal channels to influence government
• Ensuring that you maximise your time when you get face-to-face time with a Minister - adhering to informal courtesies

Mark Blackham, Partner, Senate Communication Counsel

5.05

Closing remarks from the Chair and networking drinks

Sponsors/Partners

Interested in sponsorship?

There are some exclusive opportunities to promote your company, and its products and services, at this leading event. Contact the sponsorship team below to request a prospectus or discuss the options, or view more about event sponsorship.