Introduction

CDC Influenza Awareness Campaign

Media Relations Toolkit

Created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

November 2011

CDC Influenza Awareness Campaign

Media Relations Toolkit

November 2011

Created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

About the Campaign 3

Using Media to Support the Campaign 4

Step 1: Developing Key Messages 4

Step 2: Developing Press Materials 5

Step 3: Preparing for Outreach 8

Step 4: Training Your Spokespeople 9

Step 5: Pitching the Media 9

Appendices

A: Key Messages and Talking Points 12

B: News Release Template 14

C: Public Service Announcement Tip Sheet 14

D: Sample Matte Article 16

E: Checklist for Conducting a News Conference 17

F: Media Advisory Template 18

G: Speechwriting Tip Sheet 19

H: Public Speaking Tip Sheet 20

I: Additional Resources 21

CDC Influenza Awareness Campaign

Media Relations Toolkit

November 2011

Created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

About the Campaign

Each year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) invests in a national

awareness campaign to educate the general population about the importance of influenza

vaccination. As a critical public health issue, it is CDC’s mandate to inform at-risk populations

about the importance of vaccination and provide them with useful information about where to get

vaccinated.

Throughout the fall and winter months, CDC promotes this campaign nationally through print and

Internet ads, matte articles, TV and radio public services announcements, personal testimony

videos featuring parents who have been greatly affected by influenza, radio interviews, bites and

b-roll packages, special events, and collaboration with partners. One cornerstone of the

campaign is National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW), December 4 through December 10,

2011. NIVW is intended to raise awareness about the importance of flu vaccination and

encourage vaccination through December, January and beyond. CDC recommends that partners

use this designated week to promote vaccination to their constituents, members, and employees

through their various communications channels as well as host free flu clinics that will include the

public as much as possible. In past years, NIVW included theme days to reach specific audiences

and promote flu vaccination among these groups. NIVW 2011 will not include theme days in order

to focus efforts on the universal flu vaccination recommendation. Though everyone 6 months of

age and older is now recommended to get vaccinated, tailored messaging and materials for

specific populations will still be available during NIVW.

Key Considerations for 2011-12 Campaign

While there are a number of factors about seasonal influenza that are beyond CDC’s control,

such as when influenza disease will surface, how severe the season will be, which groups it will

hit hardest, and how much vaccine will be available, the following key considerations help guide

CDC’s planning for the 2011–12 influenza season.

Key Messages

 CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting

against flu viruses

 Even though the vaccine composition is still the same, everyone needs to get

vaccinated with this season’s vaccine because immunity from last season’s vaccine will

have declined.

 People at high risk of serious flu complications include young children, pregnant women,

people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart and lung disease

and people 65 years and older.

 Children 6 months through 8 years of age who did not receive at least one dose of the

2010-2011 vaccine, or for whom it is not certain whether 2010-2011 vaccine was

received, should receive 2 doses of the 2011-2012 seasonal vaccine, administered at

least 4 weeks apart.

 There are two types of vaccines:

 The “flu shot” — an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a

needle, usually in the arm.

There are three different flu shots available:

o a regular flu shot approved for people ages 6 months and older

o a high-dose flu shot approved for people 65 and older, and

o the new intradermal flu shot approved for people 18 through 64 years of

age.

The age indications for the different flu shots vary, but all may be given to people

with chronic medical conditions.

 The nasal-spray flu vaccine — a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that

is given as a nasal spray (sometimes called LAIV for “Live Attenuated Influenza

Vaccine”). The viruses in the nasal spray vaccine do not cause the flu. LAIV is

approved for use in most healthy* people 2 through 49 years of age who are not

pregnant. (See http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/nasalspray.htm for a complete list of

those who can and cannot receive the nasal spray flu vaccine.)

 Additional information and/or recommendations can be found at

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6033a3.htm

Using Media to Support the Campaign

To achieve the goals of this campaign, CDC relies heavily on its network of partner organizations

to promote its messages and activate communities to get vaccinated. One way in which partners

can help support this effort is by working with their local media to help inform the public about the

serious complications of the flu and the importance of vaccination. We encourage partners to

reach out to local media with powerful information and “pitch” them to cover the issue in

newspapers, television and radio programs, websites, magazines, and other outlets.

This toolkit is intended to help CDC partners expand and enhance their abilities to educate their

communities on this issue through media outreach. Designed as a resource for media novices

and experts alike, this toolkit offers a variety of tools, proven resources, models, and templates to

help you reach out to your local media.

Outlined within this document are the five critical steps to help you develop a media strategy and

prepare for the “pitch.”

 Step 1: Developing Key Messages

 Step 2: Developing Press Materials

 Step 3: Preparing for Outreach

 Step 4: Training your Spokespeople

 Step 5: Pitching the Media

veloping Key Messages

Before reaching out to the media, it is important to articulate who your audiences are and what

you want them to know or do. In every awareness campaign key messages are developed in the

initial stages to ensure consistency and accuracy in communications throughout campaign

activities.

Each year, CDC develops key messages for its annual National Influenza Vaccination Awareness

Campaign. To ensure consistency across the United States, we encourage CDC partners to use

CDC’s key messages to inform their materials (i.e., press releases, public service

announcements, speeches, articles, locally produced PSAs, interviews with reporters, etc.).

Below is a sample of key messages from CDC. Please contact [email protected] to request

CDC’s Influenza Key Messages document in English or Spanish.

Sample CDC Key Messages

1. Influenza (the flu) is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even

death. Anyone can get sick from the flu.

2. While flu can make anyone sick, certain people are at greater risk for serious complications

from the flu, causing hospitalization or even death, such as:

a. older people

b. young children

c. people with chronic lung disease (such as asthma and COPD), diabetes (type 1 and

2), heart disease, neurologic conditions, and certain other long-term health

conditions, and

d. pregnant women

3. Flu seasons are unpredictable and can be severe. Studies going back 30 years to 1976 show

that seasonal flu-related deaths have ranged from about 3,000 people to 49,000 people.

4. Protect your family from the flu by getting yourself vaccinated. A flu vaccine reduces your risk

of illness, hospitalization, or even death and can prevent you from spreading the virus to your

loved ones.

5. Over the years, hundreds of millions of people in the U.S. have safely received seasonal flu

vaccines.

For more information on CDC’s key messages, please see Appendix A.

TV PSAs:

 “Why Flu Vaccination Matters: Personal

Stories of Families Affected by Flu”

(English- :60, 6:47)

 “I never get the flu” (English- :30, :60)

 “Flu Ends with U” (English/Spanish-

:30, :60,)

 Everyone Needs a Flu Vaccine

(English/Spanish- :30, :60)

 “Who Needs a Flu Vaccine (English/

Spanish; :15, :30)

Radio PSAs:

 “¿Vacuna contra la influenza para los

chicos grandes?” (:30, :60)

 “Dinner Party” (English/Spanish- :30,

:60)

 “Flu Vaccine for Big Kids?” (English-

:30, :60)

 ”I never get the flu” (English- :30, :60)

 “Yo me vacuno. La historia de un amor.”

(Spanish- 3 episodes)

Developing Press Materials

When you are conducting media outreach, it is important that you have materials to provide

reporters as a resource to help them write their articles. Outlined below are common and effective

materials used in working with the media. Please note that CDC has many of these products

already available for partners to use. To access CDC press materials, please contact

[email protected] or 1-800-CDC-INFO

Press/News Releases

A press release is a one-page description of your news or event designed to inform media of

high-level information—the “who,” “what,” where,” “when,” “why,” and “how.” A press release

should include the partner’s contact information, a captivating headline, and a quote from your

organization’s president or spokesperson and should only include essential information about

your issue or event. Other tips for writing a press release include:

 Ensure that your press release is only one page.

 Describe the main news in the first paragraph.

 Check your facts two or three times.

 Type “FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE” at the top of the page in the left margin and

“# # #” centered at the bottom of the release.

For more information on writing press releases, see Appendix B.

Public Service Announcements (PSAs)

PSAs are non-commercial, unpaid radio and

television messages used to promote

information intended for the public good. Before

pitching a PSA to the local radio or television

stations, ask how long, in number of words and

in time, your PSA can be, as different stations

tend to prefer different lengths depending on

their other advertising constraints. There are

generally four different lengths: 15 seconds (40

words), 20 seconds (50 words), 30 seconds (75

words), and 60 seconds (150 words).

A selection of radio and television PSAs are

available to partners to pitch to their local media

outlets and/or post on their websites. The PSAs

currently available target a variety of audiences,

including the general public and minority

populations. The PSAs are available in 15-, 30-,

and 60-second spots and some are available

open-ended (or untagged) so that you can tailor

them to your group’s needs. For example, you

could add local information such as a flu clinic date and time or a mention of your organization

and contact information.

Available PSAs can be viewed at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/freeresources/media.htm

For more tips on distributing PSAs, see Appendix C.

Letters to the Editor or Op-Eds

Letters to the editor are letters that can be written by any reader of the publication in response to

an issue that has been covered in the publication or is of interest to its readers. Letters to the

editor provide a wide public forum that can be used to your advantage, before and after your

event. Newspapers are most likely to publish a letter to the editor if it addresses an article that

has been published in the paper. When creating your letter, make sure to note the article you are

referring to in your letter.

Op-ed is the abbreviation for “opposite editorial” because these opinionated pieces are usually

placed on the page opposite the editorial page. While an editorial is written by the news

organization that expresses the opinion of the editor, editorial board, or publisher; an op-ed

represents the opinion of an individual contributor, such as an “expert,” public official, or anyone

who represents an organization.

For both letters to the editor and op-eds, contact your local newspapers to find out about any

word count limits or deadlines. All letters must be signed and include an address.

Matte Articles

Matte articles, also known as drop-in articles, repro-proofs, or camera-ready news, are an

effective, cost-efficient way to spread information on influenza vaccination, as well as to share

your success stories. A matte article is a type of news article that is written for direct insertion in

community and weekly newspapers. Similar to a feature story in content, your matte article

should focus on “soft” news and have a longer shelf life than more time-sensitive news releases.

Before sending your article, find out what format the

publications prefer. Some prefer to receive camera-ready

materials on slick paper, while others prefer electronic

layouts, usually in PDF format. Still others prefer to lay out

the articles themselves, so they will want to receive

articles as Word documents.

For an example of a matte article for use during flu season, see Appendix D.

Events Calendar

Many newspapers and radio and TV stations have community calendars or bulletin boards that

feature listings of local events. By assembling a local calendar of vaccination events and

activities, you can provide a service to the media and save them the time of collecting the

information. Be sure to include National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) on your calendar

lists.

Tips for creating effective

matte articles:

 Keep articles to one page.

 Offer solutions.

 Include a photo or graphic.

 Link your article to the local audience.

News Conference or Special Events

When planning an event such as a community flu clinic, send a media advisory to the local media

at least 3 days prior to the event as well as the day of the event to entice press attendance and

coverage. Call reporters and news desks the morning of the event as a reminder and to confirm

attendance.

If press representatives have confirmed their attendance, set up a media hospitality area where

reporters can sign in and gather media materials such as an event agenda, a fact sheet or bio of

the special guest speaker(s). Make sure you know when and where your spokespeople will be

available.

Please see Appendix E for a checklist for conducting a news conference and Appendix F for

information on writing a media advisory.

Preparin

g for Outreach

Compile Media Lists

Preparing for outreach begins with

developing media lists. Media lists help you

organize local editors’, reporters’ and

producers’ names, outlets, and contact

information (i.e., TV, radio, print). Media

lists should be detailed and include

journalists’ beats or topics they cover,

submission deadlines, conversation notes,

contact information, and best times to call.

Use media lists to keep track of public

service directors, program producers, and

the names of health reporters in your area.

Developing media lists requires research.

You can compile information by calling

local newsrooms, keeping track of

journalists that have contacted your

organization in the past, or by tracking the

media that covers health-related stories. There are also news sources that offer (for a fee) access

to databases of specific media contacts.

Be creative about where you pitch your news. Examples of non-traditional media outlets may

include:

 Medical center or clinic newsletters

 Supermarket or pharmacy news handouts

 Faith-based organization publications

 Ethnic media newspapers or community newsletters

 Public health journals

 Business journals

 PTA/PTO newsletters or school newspapers

 E-blasts or fax blasts to your mailing list

 Bilingual publications

Establish Relationships

Once you establish your media lists, introduce yourself with a phone call or a get-to-know-you

meeting to present your organization as a resource on influenza or vaccination. Remember to

have your media materials readily available to send as follow-up information.

Maintain Relationships

Once you have made contact, maintaining relationships with the media should be a priority. The

following tips will help you to maintain good relations with the media.

 Be responsive and provide follow-up information as soon as possible.

 Be mindful of reporter’s deadlines. Don’t call or email when reporters are rushed.

 Know your reporter’s beat or area of coverage and send only relevant news.

 Offer background information when a related news story breaks.

 When your story is covered, follow up with that reporter and thank them for attending.

Training Your Spokespeople

Identifying a Spokesperson

For many of the materials and activities mentioned throughout this toolkit, you will need to identify a

spokesperson who will serve as the “voice” to carry the messages. This can be a health officer, a

subject matter expert, or a public information officer. A spokesperson should have a healthy

balance of technical expertise and an engaging personality.

Preparing a Spokesperson

Regardless of who serves as your media spokesperson, he or she should be prepared. Prior to

an interview or press event, prepare your spokesperson by practicing questions and answers,

reviewing key messages, and giving him or her background information on the journalists

conducting the interview. You can also create a list of potential questions that you expect to be

asked along with sample responses. For example, a common question may include debunking

common “myths” about influenza and the flu vaccine (e.g., the vaccine can give you the flu; you

must get a flu vaccine before November for it to be effective; flu is only a danger for older people

and small children).

The following tips might help provide guidance to your spokesperson:

 Speak in layman’s terms and avoid jargon so that all audiences can understand.

 Be courteous and patient when answering (or re-answering) questions.

 Never be too casual in your conversation. There is no such thing as “off the record.”

 Discuss what you know, not what you think.

 If you tell a reporter you’ll get back to him or her with information, remember to do so,

and provide it as soon as possible.

 Do not express personal opinions.

 Say if you are confused by a question. If you say something that is wrong, or misstate

a fact, just admit your error and make sure the correct information is conveyed in the

end.

Staying “On Message”

Once goals and messages have been established, the challenge becomes one of delivery and

ensuring that messages are heard and goals are met. Take every opportunity in an interview to

reiterate your key messages. Another way to stay on message is to exercise some control over

the conversation you are having, be it during an interview, press conference, or when taking

questions from an audience. Do not allow the conversation to go down paths that are not

pertinent to your goals or message—no matter how persistent the questioner might be in

pursuing a line of inquiry. For example, if you are trying to promote a vaccination clinic at the local

hospital, do not allow yourself to get bogged down by questions related to issues you aren’t

comfortable answering such as national vaccine supply.

For more guidance on preparing your spokespeople, see Appendix G for tips on writing speeches

and presentations, and Appendix H for tips on public speaking.

Pitching the Media

“Pitching” the Media

Getting reporters and the local media interested in influenza vaccination and National

Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW).

NIVW is an important part of increasing public awareness about seasonal flu and the importance

of vaccination. Remember that you have a compelling story to tell—one that affects the health

and well-being of the entire community. If you develop a strong relationship with a reporter, you

will become a resource for influenza-related issues when that reporter does a related story in the

future. Be sure to record your activities/events on CDC’s NIVW page:

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/NIVW/activities.htm and encourage others to take the flu vaccination

pledge, found on: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/nivw/pledge/

There are several ways to pitch the media to cover your issue. Depending on the type of media,

you can “pitch” (request) articles, PSAs, calendar items on NIVW, letters to the editor, or op-eds.

Your “pitch” can focus on a vaccination drive, drive-through clinic, or other community event.

Timing is important. When sending out information prior to your event, do not send it too early, or

it may be discarded or “filed.” On the other hand, do not send information so late that it becomes

“old news.” Consider whether the publication is daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly. For daily

papers, send information 4-5 days prior. For weekly publications, send information 8-10 days in

advance. Contact monthly or quarterly publications to find out their deadlines.

Be Respectful and Prepared

Be cognizant that reporters get hundreds of phone calls, emails, faxes and requests each day all

of which compete for their time and coverage. Remember a few helpful tips when reaching out to

the media.

 Contact the news desk to find out about specific deadlines before making your pitch.

 Provide the right information to the right reporters; know their topic areas.

 Ask the reporter or editor how he or she likes to receive information (e.g., by email or

fax).

 If a reporter doesn’t call you back right away, don’t take it personally.

 Be responsive if a reporter calls you for information.

 Provide information in the appropriate formats. If it’s a print publication, provide

documents. For TV, provide a visual. If it’s radio, provide an interview.

 Don’t offer a spokesperson unless you have one ready and prepared.

 Be prepared with information about the issue and/or event(s).

 Thank the media when they cover your story.

Be Creative

Being creative with your story will help your news stand out from competing news. Below are

some helpful tips to help your news stand out.

 Provide a unique angle with supporting data (e.g., the number of local people who

remain unvaccinated each year and why, the importance of employers encouraging

their workers to get vaccinated to reduce absenteeism, common myths, etc.).

 Tie NIVW activities and your messages to a larger local story.

 Events, such as health fairs or clinics, are good topics for local media because they

are visual, and provide opportunities for interviews.

 If one reporter says “no,” move on to the next. A medical/science reporter may not be

interested in covering your event, but a lifestyle reporter or community affairs reporter

might want to highlight the event. A political reporter may be interested in covering

your activities as an example of government in action, and an education reporter

might want to focus on the importance of vaccinating school-aged children.

 Be quotable to bring your story to life.

 Write a compelling or provocative subject line to grab a journalist’s attention. Keep in

mind that the subject line is the first thing reporters and editors see.

Conclusion

Now that you have the tools, you can begin to develop your own media outreach plans in support

of CDC’s National Influenza Awareness Campaign. The templates and ideas presented here are

designed to be adaptable for your individual organization’s use. Use these media components

wisely so that they will represent your organization, promote the goals of this campaign in a

compelling way, and help build visibility for your activities.

Additional resources for your use are listed in Appendix I.

Appendices

Appendix A: CDC Influenza Awareness Campaign Key Messages and Talking Points

The key messages listed below were developed in support of the 2011-2012 CDC Influenza

Vaccination Awareness Campaign. Use these messages as written or tailor them as appropriate

to make them more relevant and supportive of your media outreach work. To receive the

complete 2011-12 flu key messages document in English or Spanish, email [email protected].

General statements for use during NIVW:

 CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in

protecting against flu viruses.

 While there are many different flu viruses, the flu vaccine protects against the three

viruses that research suggests will be most common this season.

 The 2011-2012 flu vaccine will protect against an influenza A (H3N2) virus, an

influenza B virus and the H1N1 virus that emerged in 2009 and caused a pandemic.

 Even though the vaccine composition is still the same, everyone needs to get

vaccinated with this season’s vaccine because immunity from last season’s vaccine

will have declined.

 Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine as soon as the 2011-

2012 vaccines are available.

 While the flu can make anyone sick, certain people are at greater risk for serious

complications from the flu, causing hospitalization or even death, including:

a) adults 50 years of age and older

b) children younger than 5, but especially younger than 2 years old

c) people with chronic lung disease (such as asthma and COPD), diabetes (type 1

and 2), heart disease, neurologic conditions, and certain other long-term medical

conditions,

d) those who are morbidly obese (BMI of 40 or greater)

e) pregnant women and women within the first two weeks after delivery (2 weeks

post-partum)

f) other groups at increased risk of flu complications are listed at

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/flu_vaccine_updates.htm

o Flu seasons are unpredictable. The severity of influenza seasons can differ substantially

from year to year. Over a period of 30 years, between 1976 and 2006, estimates of yearly

flu-associated deaths in the United States range from a low of about 3,000 to a high of

about 49,000 people.

 Each year in the United States on average: An estimated 5-20 percent of the

population can be infected with the flu, and more than 200,000 people may be

hospitalized during a flu season.

o The composition of the flu vaccine is reviewed each year. If needed, the vaccine is then

updated to protect against the three flu viruses that research indicates will be the most

common during the upcoming season. New vaccine is manufactured every season.

 Research indicates that the same 3 strains that circulated most during the 2010-11

flu season will continue to be the most prominent 3 strains during the 2011-12 flu

season.

 Therefore the strains in the 2011-12 flu vaccine are the same as those included in

the 2010-11 flu vaccine.

 The 2011-2012 flu vaccine will protect against an influenza A (H1N1) virus, an

influenza A (H3N2) virus and an influenza B virus.

o Vaccination of high risk persons and their close contacts is especially important to reduce

the risk of severe flu illness in high risk persons. For a list of high risk people who should

get a yearly flu vaccination, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/flu_vaccine_updates.htm

o Flu vaccines are offered in many locations, including doctor’s offices, clinics, health

departments, pharmacies and college health centers, as well as by many employers, and

even in some schools.

o Even if you don’t have a regular doctor or nurse, you can get a flu vaccine somewhere

else, like a health department, pharmacy, urgent care clinic, and maybe your school,

college health center, or work.

o CDC recommends that influenza vaccination begin as soon as 2011-2012 flu vaccine

becomes available and continue throughout the flu season. People should begin getting

vaccinated as soon as vaccine becomes available in their community.

o Influenza seasons are unpredictable, and can begin as early as October. It takes about

two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection

against influenza virus infection.

Flu Vaccine Safety Statements for General Audiences

o Influenza vaccines have been used in the Unites States for more than 50 years.

o Hundreds of millions of people have safely received seasonal influenza vaccines.

o Each year, CDC works closely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), health

care providers, state and local health departments, and other partners to ensure the

highest safety standards for influenza vaccines. CDC also works closely with the FDA to

ensure systems are in place to promptly detect unexpected or unusual patterns of

adverse events following vaccination.

o The influenza shot (also called inactivated influenza vaccine) cannot give you influenza

because the viruses in it have been inactivated and are not infectious. Most people

generally do not experience any side effects from the influenza shot. When side effects

do occur, they are usually mild. The most common side effects from the influenza shot

are soreness, redness, tenderness or swelling where the shot is given. Low-grade fever,

headache and muscle aches also may occur.

Appendix B: Press/News Release Template

Use the template below to draft your own press release, which should answer, who, what,

where, when, why, and how of the event or activity. It also should include a quote from the

appropriate person in your organization. The following sample press release includes further

explanation of each section.

For Immediate Release – These words should

appear in the upper left-hand margin, just under

your letterhead. You should capitalize every

letter.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Tom Jones

California Department of Health Services

Phone: (916) 555-5555

Fax: (916) 555-5500

______________________________________________________

[NAME OF YOUR DEPARTMENT] Holds Flu Shot Clinic as Part of

National Influenza Vaccination Week

Local Pharmacy Hosts Fall Festival

[CITY, State]—Today, [NAME OF YOUR DEPARTMENT] is hosting a [EVENT], which is

expected to involve more than [MINIMUM NUMBER OF EXPECTED PARTICIPANTS] from

[NAME(S) OF AREA(S)]. Some of the activities planned for today include [LOCAL

ACTIVITIES].

[INCLUDE ANY OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION REGARDING YOUR EVENT HERE.]

“National Influenza Vaccination Week provides an important opportunity for our community to tell

people how important it is for people to get an annual flu shot,” said [NAME AND TITLE OF

SPOKESPERSON]. "Getting vaccinated is the single best way for people to protect not only

themselves against flu, but their loved ones as well."

For more information about influenza and influenza vaccine visit www.cdc.gov/flu and

[INSERT DEPARTMENT/ORGANIZATION WEBSITE, IF APPLICABLE].

Appendix C: Public Service Announcement Tip Sheet

Public service announcements (PSAs) offer you the opportunity to promote flu vaccination and

NIVW activities and program to the general public for free.

Contact Information – Skip a line or two after release

statement and list the name, title, telephone, and fax

numbers of the person with the most information. It is

important to give your cell number since reporters often

work on deadline and may not be available until after hours.

Headline – Skip

two lines after

your contact info

and use a

boldface type.

Subhead –

Fleshes out the

headline to

further entice

the editor.

Body – Double

check your

release for

accuracy and

keep it to one

page if possible.

Motivating Public Service Directors and Producers

Most radio stations have public service directors who decide which PSAs will air. Public service

directors are busy people who receive many PSAs every day. They are more likely to use PSAs

that they believe are of local interest to their communities, and they often favor issues and causes

related to health. Because influenza vaccination is an important issue that affects many families

in your community, public service directors will likely find NIVW or flu vaccination PSAs highly

appealing.

The following tips will help you get your PSAs placed on radio stations.

Know Who Is in Charge

Radio station public service directors may have various titles, including community affairs

director, advertising manager, or general manager. Often, the on-air personalities or the

producers decide which PSAs will air. Call the station and ask whom you should contact about

placing your PSAs.

Write a Letter of Introduction

Once you have determined whom to contact, send a letter of introduction that includes the

following information:

 The importance of seasonal flu vaccination

 Your success stories and how they have made an impact on your community

 Your plans for NIVW or the flu season in general

 A call-to-action—ask the radio station to support your activities by running PSAs.

Remember to keep it local. The people in charge of PSA placement want to know how the issue

affects their community.

Meet Face to Face

Follow up your letter by scheduling meetings with the public service directors at the radio stations

where you want your PSAs to air. These meetings put a face on the issue and provide an

opportunity for you to educate public service directors about issues related to influenza

vaccination. It generally takes a few weeks for radio stations to put PSAs on the air, so you

should schedule your meetings well in advance of your events or NIVW. Then, ask the radio

station to run your PSAs before the event.

Say “Thank You”

Follow up your visits and meetings with thank-you notes. Acknowledge radio stations once they

use the PSAs. Send thank-you notes, and let them know you are delighted that they were able to

help raise awareness about the importance of seasonal flu vaccination.

Use Your Connections

Perhaps you or someone in your program already knows someone in a management position at a

radio station. Take advantage of that connection to encourage your contact to use your PSAs.

Approach Radio Stations That Use PSAs

Not all radio stations use PSAs. So listen to the radio stations in your community and approach

those stations that already air PSAs. If you live in a large metropolitan area, it might be

challenging to get your PSAs placed on the most popular radio stations. On the other hand, there

are probably several less popular radio stations that will be willing to air your PSAs.

Seek a Media Partnership

Often the media, including TV and radio stations, newspapers, and magazines, will sponsor

community events. When they do, they actively promote the event by giving PSAs premium

placement and even producing PSAs. If a media outlet does agree to a sponsorship, they usually

ask that the organization co-brand the event. For example, they might ask you to name the event

“The Channel 4 National Influenza Vaccination Week Flu Clinic.” There is one downside to a

media-sponsored event—competing media will not use your PSAs. This downside could be far

outweighed by the benefits of gaining premium PSA placement and visibility with the media outlet

with which you form the partnership. Weigh your options and assess whether a media

partnership makes sense for your event or organization.

Reaching Diverse Audiences with PSAs

The key to placement in ethnic and specialized media is to make all communications meet the

needs of that outlet’s target audiences. Share any immunization data and research related to the

diverse subgroups that is relevant to their listening audience. For example, if the listening

audience is primarily Puerto Rican, convey research findings and include that this was tested

among Puerto Ricans.

If you are focusing on Hispanic radio stations, for example, make sure you provide both Spanish

and English versions of the PSAs—there has been a growing trend toward Spanish media using

both languages. Be sure any correspondence to the media outlet is in Spanish. Although public

service directors at Spanish-language radio stations are likely fluent in both English and Spanish,

they will appreciate the sincerity of your pitch if it is in Spanish, and the gesture will increase your

opportunity for placement. Independently owned Spanish language radio stations at the local

level, for example, are more willing to play PSAs if they are culturally relevant. These stations

have a vested interest in their communities.

Appendix D: Sample Matte Article

Audience: African Americans

CDC 2011-2012 Flu Season

Word Count: 532

Think You’re Not at Risk for the Flu? You Might be Dead Wrong

Did you know that while the flu can make anyone sick, people with long-term health conditions—

such as asthma, diabetes (type 1 and 2) and heart disease—are at greater risk for serious

complications from the flu? African Americans are more likely to live with the chronic diseases

that are known to increase the risk of flu complications. Serious flu complications can lead to

hospitalization and sometimes even death.

The good news is that you can take a simple step to protect yourself and your family from the flu

by getting the flu vaccine each year. The bad news is that many African Americans are not doing

this.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says a flu vaccine is the first and best

way to guard against the flu. CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get the flu

vaccine every year. “We’ve seen an increase in the number of children getting the flu vaccine,”

says Dr. Anne Schuchat, Assistant Surgeon General of the U.S. Public Health Service and CDC’s

Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. “However we are

concerned that vaccine coverage rates remain low in the United States for adults, particularly in

African Americans.”

So why are so few African Americans getting the flu vaccine? Some people may have concerns

about vaccine safety. It is important to know, however, that flu vaccines (both the shot and nasal

spray) have excellent safety records, and are constantly being monitored. The most common side

effects reported after flu vaccination are minor, and are far outweighed by the vaccine’s benefits.

Millions of flu vaccines have been given safely over the years, and vaccine safety remains a

priority every single year.

It’s also important to know that the flu vaccine cannot give you the flu. Why? Because the flu shot

contains killed viruses, and the nasal spray has weakened viruses that cannot cause illness. If

you get flu-like symptoms soon after getting vaccinated, it can mean you may have been exposed

to the flu before getting vaccinated, or during the two-week period it takes the body to gain

protection after vaccination. It might also mean you are sick with another illness that causes

symptoms similar to the flu.

Some people may think that because they received the flu vaccine last season, they don’t need

another one this year. “Even though the vaccine composition is still the same this year, everyone

needs to get vaccinated with this season’s vaccine because immunity from last season’s vaccine

will have declined” says Schuchat. “You need to get vaccinated with this season’s vaccine to best

protect against flu this season. People who do not are risking a possibly long and serious illness,

as well as placing their close contacts at risk for the flu.”

Remember, the flu can be especially serious for babies, children, pregnant women, people 65

and older and people with certain long-term medical conditions. However, even healthy people

can get the flu and should protect themselves by getting the flu vaccine every year.

For more information, talk to your doctor or contact CDC at 1-800-CDC-INFO or

http://www.cdc.gov/flu.

###

Appendix E: Checklist for Conducting a News Conference

If properly used, a news conference can be a good way to provide media with information on

influenza vaccination events, particularly during NIVW. Consider the following items when

planning and implementing your press conference.

Plan Date, Time, and Location

 Have you given the media as much advance time as possible?

 Is your event in a location that is easily accessible to the media?

Invite Key Media to Attend By Sending Out a Media Advisory

 Have you made sure the media advisory gives the date, time, and location of the news

conference, the subject to be discussed, the names of the people who will be speaking or

otherwise participating, names of contact people from whom they can obtain advance (and

follow-up) information, and a list of languages in which materials will be provided?

 Have you placed follow-up calls before the conference to remind reporters about the event?

Prepare the Room

 Have you made sure your news conference site includes staging, chairs, a podium, and

microphones and checked to ensure all equipment is working properly?

 Do you need a mult box from an audio/visual company for broadcast reporters to plug into to

obtain clear sound? Be aware that mult boxes may not be needed in areas with more

advanced technology.

 Is your department’s name (and logo) clearly visible on the front of your podium, or behind

the speaker?

 Do you have a backup plan for possible glitches?

 Prepare the room with video or photography, such as campaign posters on easels or banners

hanging overhead.

Provide Media Materials

 Have you prepared media kits including news releases, speaker names and bios, fact sheets,

or other materials that might help reporters write their stories?

Be Prepared

 Have the main spokespersons rehearsed the key messages developed for the event and are

they ready to answer questions?

 Have you made sure your spokespeople know what the most important information is and

how to stay focused, even if asked questions that concern other issues?

 Have you developed answers to potentially controversial questions that may be asked, such

as concerns about the vaccine’s effectiveness and safety?

 Have you discussed in advance which key points will be presented by each spokesperson?

 Have you designated a moderator prior to the news conference to keep the conference on

schedule, established ground rules, and fielded reporters’ questions?

 Have you set a clear end time for the news conference?

 Have you made a Spanish-speaking or other appropriate language spokesperson available at

the news conference and have you referenced that in your media materials?

Be Thorough

 Have you made sure all questions are answered during the news conference? If a

spokesperson does not know the answer to a question, make sure a member of the team

finds the answer after the news conference and makes it available to the reporter as soon as

possible. If possible, allow spokespeople to be available one-on-one with reporters following

the conference to answer questions.

 Have you designated someone to ask questions during the news conference that reporters

may not raise?

Monitor Attendance and Follow Up

 Have you asked reporters to sign in? This will provide a list of who attended and who did not

attend.

 For key media personnel who were not able to attend, have you offered them a phone

interview with the spokespersons or sent them a media kit?

Appendix F: Media Advisory Template

Use the template below to create your media advisory. The advisory should answer “who,”

“what,” “where,” “when,” “why,” and “how” of the event or activity. It also should include contact

information for your organization. A media advisory should be sent out before an event and

again the day of the event.

MEDIA ADVISORY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Tom Jones

California Department of Health Services

Phone: (916) 555-5555

Fax: (916) 555-5500

______________________________________________________

[NAME OF YOUR DEPARTMENT] Holds [EVENT] as Part of National Influenza

Vaccination Week

_______________________________________________________

Contact Information – Skip a line or two after the

advisory statement and list the name, title, telephone,

and fax numbers of the person with the most

information. It is important to give your cell number

since reporters often work on deadline and may not be

available until after hours.

Headline – Skip

two lines after

your contact info

and use a

boldface type.

[CITY, State]—[NAME OF YOUR DEPARTMENT] is hosting a [EVENT], which is expected to

involve more than [MINIMUM NUMBER OF EXPECTED PARTICIPANTS] from [NAME(S) OF

AREA(S)].

WHO: [LIST ANY VIPS AND OTHER ATTENDEES OF NOTE WHO MAY BE OF

INTEREST TO THE PRESS. INCLUDE TITLES WHENEVER POSSIBLE.]

WHAT: [PROVIDE ADDITIONAL DETAILS ABOUT THE EVENT (I.E., WHAT

ACTIVITIES ARE SCHEDULED, ETC.)]

WHERE: [ADDRESS OF THE EVENT LOCATION]

WHEN: [DATE AND TIME OF THE EVENT]

WHY: National Influenza Vaccination Week provides an important opportunity for our

community to tell people how important it is for people to get an annual flu

vaccine. Getting vaccinated is the single best way for people to protect not only

themselves against flu, but their loved ones as well.

CONTACT: [NAME, PHONE NUMBER(S), FAX AND EMAIL ADDRESS OF CONTACT]

For more information about influenza and influenza vaccine visit www.cdc.gov/flu and [INSERT

DEPARTMENT/ORGANIZATION WEBSITE, IF APPLICABLE].

###

Appendix G: Speechwriting Tip Sheet

If you are conducting National Influenza Vaccination Week activities, there is a good chance that

someone from your department will deliver your messages through a short speech or

presentation. A detailed outline can provide the framework for an organized and compelling

speech. The outline should include the topic, purpose, and audience, as well as three main ideas

that support the topic and purpose.

A good length for the average speech is 10 to 20 minutes. If you need more time to make your

point, do not be afraid to take it. Because your audience cannot go back and review confusing

parts of your speech, it is important for you to deliver a clear, organized presentation and repeat

your central points. Below is a general speech outline that you might be able to adapt to suit the

special needs of your audience.

I. Introduction—Tell them what you’re going to tell them. This should take 1 to 3 minutes.

A. Grab your audience’s attention

B. State your topic and purpose

C. Preview your speech

II. Body—Tell them. Illustrate the points that support your theme. This should take 8 to 15

minutes.

A. State first main idea

B. State second main idea

C. State third main idea

III. Conclusion—Tell them what you told them. This should take 1 to 2 minutes.

A. Restate your main ideas

B. Add a memorable conclusion

After your first draft of the presentation, go back and revise, reword, and rearrange your ideas, as

necessary. Refer back to your outline to make sure that items are parallel and logical. Make sure

you have sufficient support for each of the statements you have included.

Dos and Don’ts of Speechwriting

Do:

 Find out everything you can about the group you are speaking to, the venue, and the

event.

 Ask how much time you have to give your speech.

 Check to see if they have what you need for visual aids—overhead projector, LCD

projector, etc.

 Prepare an outline of your speech before you start to write it.

 Deliver your speech to someone before the event to practice.

 Give facts and figures with references to back them up.

 Have a clear objective in giving the speech (what you want the audience to know and

take away from the speech).

 Concentrate on your message(s).

 Visualize yourself giving the speech.

Don’t:

 Use humor unless you are positive about what the reaction will be.

 Assume the audience knows all of the background information about your topic.

 Use jargon or confusing phrases.

 Exaggerate, stretch the truth, or lie.

 Say more than you need to.

 Rely too much on visual aids to tell your message.

 Talk down to the audience.

 Use the same speech for every venue.

Appendix H: Public Speaking Tip Sheet

The best speakers are those who believe in what they are saying and whose sincerity and

dedication to their topic are apparent. Before you choose your speakers, consider your audience.

What messenger will they best respond to? Would it be physicians or nurses? Older adults?

People with chronic health conditions such as asthma or diabetes? Someone from the health

department or a respected local community health worker? No matter whom you choose, the

speaker needs to convey expertise, experience, interest, and commitment to the importance of

influenza vaccination.

These tips can help you prepare your spokespeople to present a confident and compelling

speech.

Content. Share information about yourself up front. This personalizes you to the audience and

makes listeners feel that they know you. This also is the opportunity to share your own

experiences with influenza vaccination initiatives.

Eye Contact. The only way you will know if your audience is getting the message is through eye

contact. Look for eyes and heads nodding with you.

Facial Expressions. Your facial expressions can tell the story of how much you care about the

issues you are talking about. Allow your passion for the issue to show, as this gives off energy,

and energy makes you convincing.

Gestures. Some of what people retain from speeches is through body language. Gestures

reinforce and highlight your story and give you energy in your delivery.

Voice. Try not to speak in a monotone. Avoid “language helpers” such as “ums,” “ahs,” and “you

knows.” Never try to camouflage a regional dialect. All you have to do is tell people where you are

from and they will expect you to sound the way you do.

Pauses/Silence. There are four good times to pause: when you move from one subject to

another, when you want the message to sink in, when you want or need to collect your thoughts,

and when you receive laughter or applause.

Avoid Distractions. Do not fiddle with your hair, shuffle your feet, sway back and forth, jingle

change in your pockets, play with your eyeglasses, or otherwise do something that will take away

from what you are saying.

Practice. Practice, practice, practice. If possible, spend time alone just prior to your speech; take

some deep breaths and think about your central theme.

Being Nervous Is Normal. Try and “reframe” your fear into excitement and enthusiasm.

Remember that you are the expert and people have come to hear you talk about what you know.

Is Your Presentation Culturally Competent? When presenting to audiences from different

cultural backgrounds, use the following tips from the National Center for Cultural Competence at

Georgetown University.

 Consult with people from the community about customs and taboos in speaking and

presenting. Do not assume anything about practices and customs. Is it acceptable to

look a person in the eye when they are speaking? Is it considered rude to shake hands

before someone else introduces you?

 Consider asking someone from that community who can effectively deliver your message

to co-present or conduct the entire presentation.

 Think about your message. Is it crafted in a way that is relevant (and not offensive or

condescending) to your audience?

 Be open to suggestions, and be willing to adapt and modify your message and

presentation style to your audience.

If you have to use an interpreter, keep these points in mind.

 Talk directly to the audience and not the interpreter. Give the presentation as if they

speak your language, and try to connect with them.

 Do not use clichés or jargon that might confuse the interpreter or may not be translatable.

 Jokes are seldom funny when translated, and they may be culturally offensive.

 Give the interpreter as much information ahead of time as possible. If you have a copy of

the speech, share it even if you know you won’t follow it to the letter.

 Notice the pace and manner of the interpreter. Practice with the individual if possible. Try

to adjust your speech to that pace.

 If you want to put in a few words or phrases in the audience’s language, make sure you

can pronounce them properly, that you are saying what you mean to say, and that the

interpreter knows what you are trying to say beforehand.

Appendix I: Additional Resources

CDC Seasonal Flu website: http://www.cdc.gov/flu

Main Government Flu Site: http://www.flu.gov

Immunization Coalitions Technical Assistance Network website: http://izta.blogspot.com/

American Lung Association’s Influenza Prevention Program: http://www.facesofinfluenza.com

MMWR 2011-12 Influenza Vaccination Recommendations:

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6033a3.htm

Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) website: http://vaers.hhs.gov

World Health Organization Influenza website: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/influenza/en/

U.S. Food and Drug Administration Influenza Virus Vaccine Safety & Availability website:

http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/SafetyAvailability/VaccineSafety/UCM110288