31 Oct 2013
A packed house of over 130 travel and tourism PRs from around the country attended the 9th annual Media Masterclass yesterday evening to hear from the panel of magazine, digital, broadcast, trade and freelance journalists.
Organised by the Tourism Society in association with TravMedia, the event was chaired by Henry Hemming, Managing Director of TravMedia UK and CEO of News 4Media. Hemming set the tone for a relaxed but very informative session, with the journalists offering insights into how PRs can best develop their relationship to ensure their story gets to the top of the list.
In these times of digital communication it was interesting to hear from Ana Silva O'Reilly (Mrs O Around the World) and Mary Novakovich (freelance/The Independent) that face to face meetings are still the best way to make contact with a journalist and build a relationship. Katherine Lawrey (TTG Meia) stressed the need to understand the weekly and monthly schedule of the publications information is being sent to, as well as making sure that PRs are targeting the right individual. A bit more research into journalists' areas of interests - and jargon-free releases - would not go amiss.
There was a call for the PRs to explore newer forms of media more thoroughly including blogging and YouTube video, which offer huge distribution options. Peter Grunert (Lonely Planet Traveller) described the rise in importance of video at his publication along with the continuing emphasis on photographic commissions. Caroline Rowland (New Moon Film Company) revealed an untapped resource in the broadcast world, with destinations bidding to host mega-events often missing the opportunity to promote themselves fully.
An extended question and answer session built on the topics introduced by each speaker and discussions continued for a long time afterwards during the post-event networking.
Gregory Yeoman, Executive Director of The Tourism Society, commented: "Each year this event is a real success and PRs continue to get a great deal of useful information from our panellists. Enthusiasm was very apparent during both the Q and A section and post-event networking hour. A huge thank you goes to TravMedia, our sponsor First Public Relations and all the delegates who attended for an engaging and enjoyable evening."
-ENDS-
For further information and images, please contact:
Blanche Fitzgerald on 0207 269 9693 or 0207 269 9693
Notes to editors:
* The Tourism Society (est.1977) is the leading network of professionals in the tourism and travel industry. All sectors are represented, including hotels, attractions, destinations, operators, travel companies, writers, academics, students and consultants.
* Event chairman:
Henry Hemming - Managing Director, TravMedia UK and CEO of News 4Media
* Speakers:
Mary Novakovich - Freelance Journalist
Caroline Rowland - Executive Director of New Moon Film Company
Katherine Lawrey - Deputy Features Editor of TTG Media
Peter Grunert - Editor of Lonely Planet Traveller
Ana Silva O'Reilly - Luxury travel blogger, Mrs. O Around the World
* The event was held at The Bloomsbury Hotel, 16-22 Great Russell Street , London , WC1B 3NN
* Event sponsor: First Public Relations http://www.firstpr.co.uk/home 0208 8774 523
