Introduction to Media Training

Presenters:
 
Lori Merricks
Director of Marketing & Communications
Danville Regional Foundation
 
Laurie S. Moran, CCE
President
Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce
 
Some people dread the spotlight while others embrace it. Few, however, manage the media well without some coaching and tips in the art and craft of managing a story and interacting with reporters. This two hour media relations workshop is designed for people in an organization who may be approached by the media at any given time. From planning the message to responding in a timely manner, we’ll give you some do’s and don’ts of working with media so your message is delivered and they will see you as a resource for future stories.

A few topics that will be discussed:
  *Finding the Story
  *Responding to Media Requests
  *How to Be Interviewed

Lori’s bio:
 
Lori serves as the director of marketing and communications at Danville Regional Foundation working to develop strategic marketing efforts for DRF and its regional partners. She has more than 14 years of experience spanning public relations; event/sponsorship management and marketing; strategic communications planning; and digital and social media project planning, development and implementation. Prior to joining DRF, she held various positions with Birmingham, Alabama-based Luckie & Company, a national full-service marketing and advertising agency. At Luckie, Lori generated high-profile earned media coverage for clients in Better Homes and Gardens, Bloomberg, Dow Jones, Los Angeles Daily News, The New York Times, Reuters, Scripps Howard newspapers and Southern Living, as well as on blogs and on major local television and radio programs across the United States. She is a Cum Laude graduate of Samford University with a major in Journalism/Mass Communications and a minor in Business. She is also certified by the Institute for Crisis Management.
 
Laurie’s bio:
 
Laurie has served as the President of the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce since January 2002.  Previously, she was the Director of Communications for The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company’s Danville plant where she was in charge of public relations, crisis communications, strategic communications planning, and internal communications.  Laurie has also served as the editor of a weekly newspaper, as president of the former Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce, and as a consultant to develop the strategic plan for education for Pittsylvania County.  Laurie has taught communications workshops for the Virginia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives and the American Chamber of Commerce Executives.