Virginia economic developers have a great story to tell. Period. But with an increasingly diverse media ecosystem – from mass media to social media, bloggers to influencers – where should economic developers focus their efforts?
Media relations – that is, developing relationships and harnessing the power of mass media (newspapers, TV, radio) – remains one of the most important ways to tell the story of Virginia…and its growth.
Consociate Media’s Stephanie Heinatz will lead a Professional Development Workshop on Thursday, March 27 for economic development officers from across the Commonwealth at the Virginia Economic Developers Association Spring 2019 Conference.
Attendees will focus on media relations, tips and tools for Economic Developers such as:
-understanding the landscape of the media today, and how the media works and thinks;
-defining your audience, and what media outlets can help reach them;
-the importance of developing (honing and practicing) your message, your pitch, your story;
-connecting the dots of a story;
-power of relationships;
-dealing with tough questions and crisis communications;
-tools to engage more often – and with greater success – with the media.
Learn more about VEDA here.
ABOUT STEPHANIE: Cutting her teeth as a newspaper journalist and working on assignments from her own hometown, to the remote areas of East Africa to war-torn Iraq, Stephanie believed one thing – stories are the most powerful way to reach people and inspire change. She brings that same strategy to Consociate Media, where she specializes in working with business owners, legislative initiatives, economic development programs, non-profit organizations, tourism efforts and individuals to strategically plan and execute storytelling across a wide range of new and traditional media. Stephanie serves on the Board of Directors for the Gloucester Main Street Association and on the Mary Ball Washington Regional Council of the Virginia Initiative for Growth and Opportunity (GO Virginia). In 2019, Consociate Media became the public relations agency of record for the Virginia Economic Developers Association.