This template of a media alert is designed so that you can be responsive in the event of a disaster and quickly publicize the availability of a spokesperson from your firm who is a disaster recovery and/or financial planning expert. The media alert, once customized with your information, provides the public with a source of help and information in the aftermath of a disaster.
The purpose of a media alert is to quickly publicize the availability of a spokesperson from your firm who is a disaster recovery and/or financial planning expert that can addresses issues faced by people affected by disaster.
Click here to download the Sample Media Alert Template in Word format.
Instructions for Use:
The purpose of a media alert is to quickly publicize the availability of a spokesperson from your firm who is a disaster recovery and/or financial planning expert that can addresses issues faced by people affected by disaster. THIS MEDIA ALERT IS A REACTIVE TOOL THAT ALLOWS YOU TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A CURRENT OPPORTUNITY TO GET THE WORD OUT TO THE PUBLIC ON A SOLUTION TO HELP THEM. This document should be faxed/emailed to the editor or business editor of your local newspaper when disaster strikes. Timing is critical. Once disaster strikes, this media alert must be sent immediately to the media – reporters are looking for immediate sources and experts to quote on a situation, and the alert can improve your chances of being one of those quoted sources.
Step 1: Fill in the blanks within the document (description of the disaster, locale of the disaster, how many people it affected, your firm name, local Red Cross chapter information, name of your spokesperson(s), contact number for your spokesperson(s), boilerplate information about your firm, and media contact information).
Step 2: Identify the business editor or consumer editor of your local newspaper(s), magazine(s) and/or business journal and obtain their contact details. You can do this by looking in an issue of the publication, calling the publication directly and requesting the information, or going online to the publication’s Web site and looking for the appropriate editor(s).
Step 3: After you obtain the name and address of the editor or business editor, send him/her the media alert via the U.S. Mail, email or fax. Make sure your contact information is on the alert. The reporter may call you if interested in talking to you about your involvement with the local American Red Cross chapter and disaster recovery efforts.
Step 4: If the reporter calls you, respond to the reporter ASAP since they are often on deadline and need to talk to a credible source/expert right away.