Online Media Kits: Reporters Love Them!

Re: Ireland, Emilienne, and Philip T. Nash, Winning Campaigns Online: Strategies for Candidates and Causes, 2001, Chapter 13: "Online Media Relations," pp. 197-208.

I could not agree more with Prof. Ireland's section on online media relations because it plays a large role in any type of campaign. Web sites are not only a source for the public, but the media utilize web sites as a major source for articles. Web sites are extremely convenient for reporters because they can get information while at their desks and meet their deadline. While it is best to meet with reporters to make sure they understand information about a campaign, when on a deadline, reporters need accurate information very quickly. Online media kits help feed the media information that has a campaign's message.

Online media kits can be placed on web sites as PDFs or word documents -I would highly recommend choosing a format that is easy to use - you don't want to piss off a reporter or make them frustrated!!