STD Awareness Month Media Relations Kit

Radio, television, and online news outlets are a great way to share STD prevention messages during STD Awareness Month. These tip sheets can help you better understand how to work with reporters and editors.

• Tips: Working with the media
  Detailed tips on different ways to reach out to media outlets.
• Tips: Using the Web to promote your event
  Ideas for promoting your STD Awareness Month campaign on the Internet.
• Tips: Writing letters to the editor
  Tips on how to present a strong position with a purpose on STD prevention.

The tools in this section are designed to help you disseminate news and information to the media during STD Awareness Month. Some products are more useful for television and radio, while others are effective for generating news stories with print and online media outlets.

• Press Release
  Tells your news story in no more than 2-3 pages. A good press release includes contact information and provides the media with the most important details of your news story first, followed by quotes from key spokespersons.
• Media Advisory
  An invitation to an event (fundraiser, press conference, public event, etc.) that outlines basic information such as the topic and location of the event.
• Radio Public Service Announcement Script
  Public Service announcements allow you to get your message across on radio.
  
  Examples of radio PSAs developed for native communities during STD Awareness Month.
  • 15 second radio PSA featuring Native American rap artist and actor Litefoot (transcript is available)
  • General 60 second radio PSA (transcript available)
• Photo
  Provides a visual representation of your story and can be used by print media. Include a short, easy-to-understand caption on your photo describing the action in the picture.
• Example: An op-ed column
  Writing an op-ed is an opportunity to get your opinion out to thought-leaders and policy makers. Focus on a specific issue, highlight contradictions, emphasize local importance, and present a specific action to be taken. The Op-ed example shown here is a great example of a powerful STD-related op-ed published in 2013 on cnn.com.