Hi all,
I would like to share about another experience I had when I was a media receptionist (again) for one of our clients (a different one this time!). As I am not able to reveal our client, the only clue I can give you to help you understand what I am going to write about is that our client is from the cruise industry.
I arrived early at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre for the event and was stationed at a corner inside the premise. When it was time for media to arrive at the Cruise Centre, not many media turned up at the stipulated timing. I was waiting.. and panicking, as the media are supposed to register with me in order to get their entry passes into the boarding area. Thankfully my General Manager and my colleagues arrived and they helped to move my station outside to the entrance where the drop-off point was, as the place I was stationed at wasn't very visible.
A few more media turned up, and my colleagues came over to bring them into the boarding area. Some even said they would be late and some said that they couldn't make it in time for the event. After the last media turned up, I brought her into the boarding area and onto the ship.
On the ship, I got to join the media for their media tour for a while. It was interesting to see how some media were very attentive when the client introduced them about the rooms and the views from within the ship and some just nodded and fiddled with their mobile phones.
I did not manage to stay for the full media tour as I had to go back to the office, but I certainly learnt some lessons from this experience:
1. Media are often busy due to their tight schedules - inform them about media tours in advance
2. Follow-up with the media prior to the event - drop them a text message and follow-up with a call to see if they are attending the event
3. Make full use of the media's time at the event - stress on key messages and features, provide media with opportunities to ask and be prepared for media enquiries
Guess what, don't think that when media fiddle with their phones it means that they are not interested. They could be jotting notes already for all you know! If they turn up for your event, it means they are keen to find out more! :)
That's all for now!
1 comment:
Hi Joanna,
Wow, an event at Marina Bay Sand! The view must be spectacular! Lucky enough for me that all the press journalists turned up for my press conference! I would be panic if this situation happens on me too! (especially when you are alone!)
It is also interesting how it can also apply to press conference procedures! In my company, we send out invitations to press journalists through email and calling. Then, we also need to follow up with the press to know if they would attend the press conference. An attendance list is made to make sure we didn't left out any press company.
Thank you for sharing your experience! Have a nice day!
Renee xx
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