Where: Dialogue Society, London
Time: 1:00pm
With: Will Straw, Editor of Left Foot Forward

Index

• Abstract
• Biography
• Media School Aims and Objectives
• Who's it for?
• The Topics
• Video
• Photos

Abstract

New media offers on-demand access to information at any given time through the use of media devices and communication technologies. It amalgamates traditional media such as images, film, spoken and written word, with the interactive power of new technology (e.g mobiles, iphones, e-books) and the Internet. This session will explore the opportunities provided by new media and strategies for its effective use. It will evaluate the growing interest in blogging and user generated websites and advice will be given about how these platforms can be used successfully.

Biography

Will Straw is Founder of Left Foot Forward, Associate Director for Strategic Development at the Institute for Public Policy Research, and a Visiting Fellow at the Center for American Progress. He was a 2007-08 Fulbright Scholar and worked for four years at HM Treasury. He is a former President of the Oxford University Student Union and co-edited " The Change We Need: What Britain can learn from Obama's victory".

MEDIA SCHOOL AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

Today's world, with its many forms of media, presents a huge range of opportunities for individuals and organisations to convey their message to the public. It also presents significant challenges. Among these are the possibility of misleading media coverage and the need to express an organisation's aims and projects in the succinct and memorable forms demanded by the fast pace of the media world.

As a result, small to medium sized organisations and others looking to engage with the media often face the following questions:

• How can I get my message across?
• What practical steps can I take to ensure that I am not misunderstood or misrepresented?
• Why do the media always focus on bad news?
• Do I have any rights over the media?
• How do I write an effective press release, or create a successful blog?
• How do I prepare for a media interview?
• How can I use the media to raise the profile of my organisation?

The Dialogue Society's proposed Media School aims to empower young people and representatives of small and medium sized charities and community groups to:

• Understand how media works, exploring its relationship with society and politics and how it engages with charities and community groups.
• Explain the key aims and the work of their organisation clearly and succinctly.
• Deal effectively with media attention.
• Raise the profile of their organisation by successful engagement with journalists.
• Communicate appropriately and effectively in a range of media, from press releases to live interviews to blogs.
• Employ internet communication, including social media, to propagate their message and raise their profile.

Who's it for?

• Small to medium organisations (charities and community groups)
• Young people
• Community leaders
• Religious leaders
• Public Relations Officers
• Students and others interested in practical media engagement

The Topics

1. Understanding the media in society
18/11/2010
With Maria Way, Senior Lecturer in Media Theory, University of Westminster

2. The Media and Religion
25/11/2010
With Maria Way, Senior Lecturer in Media Theory, University of Westminster

3. Citizen Journalism
12/01/2010
With Jonathan Fryer, Writer, Broadcaster, Lecturer and Politician

4. Being a Media Spokesman: Issuing Statements and Handling Press Enquiries
19/01/2011
With Revd John Carter MA, Press Officer for the Church of England

5. A journalist’s Perspective
26/01/2011
With Nigel Dudley, Economics and Politics Journalist and Editor of Quantum

6. Writing Press Releases
02/02/2010
With Neil Barnett, Previously a Journalist with the Telegraph and the Spectator

7. Broadcast Interview Skills
16/02/2011
With Julia Rooke, Freelance Radio and TV Journalist

8. Understanding and Using new Media
23/02/2011
With Will Straw, Editor, Left Foot Forward

9. Attracting Media Coverage
09/03/2011
With Mayah Riaz, Director of Mayah Consultancy

10. Crisis and Reputation Management
13/04/2011
With Anna Averkiou, Media Consultant

11. Social Media Engagement
tbc
Havva Murat, Media and Communications Director, Dialogue Society

Video

Photos

With: Will Straw, Editor of Left Foot Forward

With: Will Straw, Editor of Left Foot Forward

With: Will Straw, Editor of Left Foot Forward

With: Will Straw, Editor of Left Foot Forward

With: Will Straw, Editor of Left Foot Forward

With: Will Straw, Editor of Left Foot Forward

With: Will Straw, Editor of Left Foot Forward

With: Will Straw, Editor of Left Foot Forward

With: Will Straw, Editor of Left Foot Forward

With: Will Straw, Editor of Left Foot Forward

With: Will Straw, Editor of Left Foot Forward

With: Will Straw, Editor of Left Foot Forward

With: Will Straw, Editor of Left Foot Forward

With: Will Straw, Editor of Left Foot Forward

With: Will Straw, Editor of Left Foot Forward

With: Will Straw, Editor of Left Foot Forward

With: Will Straw, Editor of Left Foot Forward

With: Will Straw, Editor of Left Foot Forward

With: Will Straw, Editor of Left Foot Forward

With: Will Straw, Editor of Left Foot Forward

With: Will Straw, Editor of Left Foot Forward

With: Will Straw, Editor of Left Foot Forward

With: Will Straw, Editor of Left Foot Forward

With: Will Straw, Editor of Left Foot Forward

With: Will Straw, Editor of Left Foot Forward

With: Will Straw, Editor of Left Foot Forward

With: Will Straw, Editor of Left Foot Forward