Writing a Media Advisory

A media advisory is a document used to invite reporters to cover some kind of event, such as a press conference, forum, or rally.

A media advisory should be short and sweet. Your goal is to make the event sound interesting and newsworthy and make it easy for reporters to quickly figure out the details. Give some thought to the visuals that could make it more appealing for a television reporter or news photographer to cover – and spell them out.

You can use a media advisory to let people know about a formal event, like a news conference, or something less formal, like the fact that campaign activists will be working the crowd at a street fair or community event. Here's an example.

MEDIA ADVISORY

Community Leaders to Launch 'Make Yourself Count' Campaign
Billions at Stake for X City

With billions of dollars and X City's political representation for the next decade at stake, a group of business, labor, civic, and religious leaders will launch an intensive grassroots campaign to make sure every resident is counted in the 2010 census. City leaders will cut a ceremonial ribbon to launch the campaign.

What:	Press conference to launch 'Make Yourself Count' Campaign
Who:	Dr. Jane Doe, Community Health Clinic Bill Smith, Teacher, Eastern High School Joe Washington, City Labor Council Rev. Sue Rodriguez, City Ministerial Alliance
When:	Tuesday, October 10th at 10:00 a.m.
Where:	City Hall steps (rain location – City Hall Room 210)
Why:	Launch campaign for 100 percent participation in 2010 census, discuss stakes for city residents in a complete count, and talk about campaign strategies for overcoming challenges to a full count.