News media have shifted almost entirely to coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic. Stories about statistical trends, precautions, government policies and hospital operations are dominating headlines.
However, there are still great opportunities to tell clients’ stories as part of that coverage.
The Public Relations Team at Priority Marketing created a list of client experts in health care, education, business, social services, law, finances and other industries. After distributing that list to media, reporters immediate began calling to request interviews. As always, the firm helped prepare clients for interviews with sample questions, talking points and general media relations advice.
Priority Marketing also recognized that journalists would be changing the way they interview sources. With social distancing rules in place, TV reporters began conducting interviews over the phone, Skype or Facetime. In a crisis situation, getting the story is more important than getting studio-quality video and audio. That brings a level of both urgency and authenticity to the story.
Priority Marketing helped clients set up Skype accounts and navigate technology, and even created makeshift “studios” to film interviews.
As a result, Priority Marketing’s clients have been regularly featured across media platforms, including television, newspapers, magazines, radio and social media.
Examples below demonstrate how Priority Marketing has helped clients share their expertise in recent weeks:
Cypress Pharmacy
As coronavirus began to spread, many Southwest Floridians began to ask how they could help protect themselves. Priority Marketing connected with FOX4 to arrange an interview, via Skype, with Dr. Stan Headley, natural health consultant at Cypress Pharmacy.
Dr. Headley’s advice: get quality sleep, stay hydrated, eat healthy and try to eliminate sugar.
Cape Coral’s premier retirement community was among Florida’s first to limit visitor access to prevent COVID-19. That meant no visits from family and friends or in-person media interviews. However, Priority Marketing pitched a fascinating story about how seniors are coping while spending their time indoors. One of those residents, 93-year-old Jim Baker, passed time by driving a race car… virtually.
Priority Marketing arranged an interview with Cape Coral Daily Breeze reporter CJ Haddad. Over Skype, Jim demonstrated his racing abilities on the iRacing circuit while discussing his love for the sport and Gulf Coast Village.
Cape Coral Daily Breeze: Competitive spirit drives Cape Coral iRacer
Priority Marketing also helped coordinate another story at Gulf Coast Village, this time using the telephone. NBC2 reporter Sean Martinelli dialed up residents to spread some pre-Easter cheer, casual chats to brighten their moods.
The uplifting, 2-minute story aired on Good Friday and launched a little positivity heading into the holiday weekend.
NBC2: Dialing up friendship this Easter weekend
Kids’ Minds Matter and The School District of Lee County
As the community faces an unprecedented health and economic crisis, mental health has become a point of concern. Priority Marketing connected with WGCU to devote an entire session of Gulf Coast Life to mental health. The firm secured two guests for the 26-minute segment: Dr. Paul Simeone, vice president for mental and behavioral health at Lee Health, and Lori Brooks, director of school counseling and mental health services for The School District of Lee County.
The resulting dialogue offered helpful information to parents as they monitor their children for signs of stress, anxiety or other mental health issues.
WGCU: Children’s mental health in the age of COVID-19
To learn how Priority Marketing can help tell your story, please give us a call today at 239-267-2638 or email info@PriorityMarketing.com.
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