What is Media Relations?
Imagine Communication was established in 1991 as the first Media and Public Relations Communication Consultancy Services for the Indian Ocean region. Media Relations is just a part of PR activities and this is one of Imagine's specialities.
Media Relations and Public Relations are terms that tend to be used interchangeably. This habit or 'routine' is however, wrong. Media Relations on its own is a very important activity done in PR but does not extend to dealing with the general public as such. Media Relations is about the relationships formed between a company and the different media corporations; print, radio, TV or Web. So Media Relations is really a specialist area of PR.
Imagine's role hence is all about being the 'eyes and ears' of its clients.
Media Relations at Imagine
Being part of Imagine, and hence being the 'eyes and ears' of our clients, during my first week I was asked to do Press Summaries and some media monitoring. These tasks consists of reading news articles, both print and online, that would be of interest to our clients or that have direct links with the clients to finally write summaries and communicate those press summaries to our clients.
Most of Imagine's clients ask to have their summaries in French, but we do have to translate some specific articles into English in order to facilitate our clients' understanding of the news and happenings in Mauritius.
Reading the newspapers is however not enough, as Media Relations practitioners, we are also asked to pay close attention to news releases on radio stations and TV stations.
News knows no holiday
Good or bad happenings and events can happen at any time. And journalists cover stories regardless of weekends or public holidays. On a recent public holiday, I was asked to complete the press summaries for our clients. This continuous media monitoring showed me how important it is for Media Relations practitioners to always be aware of what is going on in a community or country. The press summaries were to be sent on same day respecting a deadline.
I hope you enjoyed today's post. Next post: Media Conferences!
2 comments:
Hi Tasneem,
I really enjoyed your explanation of Media Relations.
True it is often talked about as being another word for Public relations.. But we both know, well all pr students know, that media relations is just an aspect of a life of a pr professional.
Though my internship was not done in a consultancy, I did experienced the same things regarding media clippings..
News takes no holidays...
Media relations was really amongst the toughest experience during my internship but it also is the most enticing aspect of the pr field.
So when I read your post it really helps me see that media relations is just as time-taking and interesting, in all sorts of sectors.. May it be in a consultancy or in a private company..
Hi Tasneem.
Very nice post. I totally agree that people tend to mix Public Relations and Media Relations. I have been noticing that during my internship as on the word PR is pronounced, a direct connotation or link in made to media for a reason that goes beyond my understanding. I guess that it is because the society is not yet aware or informed about the essence of this practice, even more in the Mauritian context.
I also think that media is one (or rather the major) aspect and tool of PR and is in fact of great importance. I should admit that reading newspapers is not really pleasant for me but surprisingly since my internship, I pay greater interest and attention to news and even created a critical approach. I have found myself connecting the articles or information to the clients/campaigns.
Media awareness is therefore essential in this field. This is actually to be applied by all PR practitioners -even during public holidays - as news is a lively and moving world.
Regards,
Karen Ithier.
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