Media Relations

University Communications writes all news releases pertaining to Georgia College & State University and distributes them to the media through an online distribution service. We are able to immediately distribute releases locally, statewide, or across the nation.
 
If you are planning a major event, please remember to include a representative of University Communications in your planning sessions so that we may assist you with advance and day-of coverage of the event. To ensure that your event receives  the attention it deserves, its good to give at least six (6) weeks notice prior to your scheduled campaign/event. 

In addition, the Media Relations staff:

• Develops and maintains a relationship with the media, keeping in contact on a daily basis.
• Pitches story ideas about GCSU and its faculty, staff and students.
• Helps the media with its coverage of the university.
• Aids the media in finding campus experts to be quoted on issues in the news.

How to get your news distributed to the media? 

Submit news items via e-mail to Judy Bailey or call 445-1934. Include the name of the event, time, date, location and a brief description of the event and a number to call for more information.

University Communications also maintains an electronic Hometown News form for students who have accomplished something significant on campus. When the form is completed, it is automatically submitted to the Media Relatons Manager, who will write a news release and send it to the student's hometown newspaper. Hometown releases are automatically sent for graduation, president's and dean's list. A printed version of the Hometown News form is available by calling or visiting the Office of University Communications.

Story ideas? 
Contact us with ideas for stories that will bring recognition to GCSU and reflect our mission as a public liberal arts university.

Examples of news items or story ideas:

• Upcoming cultural events, such as concerts, plays, readings, lectures, exhibits.
• Announcements of recognition awarded faculty, staff, students.
• Announcements of new degrees or programs.
• Announcements of grants awarded to GCSU faculty or programs.
• Activities that GCSU faculty, staff, and students are involved in outside the campus that may be pitched as features.

Contact Judy Bailey for assistance or request services by submitting a University Communications Service Request Form.

FOR THE NEWS MEDIA


                                               

University Communications
Georgia College & State University
Campus Box 097 | Milledgeville, GA 31061
Phone (478) 445-1934; Fax (478) 445-6795

What is a news story?

It can be difficult to tell what kind of story will make news. It's not an exact science. Simply sending a press release doesn't guarantee its use. But there are steps you can take to help identify the newsworthiness of a story.

Is the subject matter current?

 If you are working on research or teaching a class involving subjects that are already in the news, you know there is interest. AIDS, global warming, and school violence are examples of issues discussed daily in t he mainstream press. If you have new information about a subject that is already in the news, it could be interesting to the media.

Who would care about this issue?

Ask yourself that question when considering a news release. Editors ask the same question before they decide which stories make the news. A mathematical equation might have exciting ramifications within the mathematics community, but does it appeal to the average television viewer or newspaper subscriber? If that same mathematics equation results in the development of a new rocket propulsion system that helps the space industry, it has broader appeal.

Are there different audiences for different stories?

If you are planning a news release on the latest display at the campus art gallery you will have a different audience than if you release news on genetically-modified food. Understand who your audience is. You can't expect to make national news with a local-interest story.