PUBLIC RELATIONS

CJN 277 – Public Relations

PR Writing Tools – Assignment #2– Writing a Press Release (first press release)

Directions: Choose one of the following scenarios that are based on current events and write a one-page press release that you wish to place in a newspaper on behalf of your organization. Assume the media outlet you are submitting to is the Boston Globe. Your release should be formatted and structured according to principles discussed in class, specifically, in chapter 10 of the Diggs-Brown PR Guide. You will be graded on three criteria:

1. Look and layout (logo and formatting)

2. Content (all necessary information and use of quotes)

3. Grammar, spelling and syntax

Each assignment is worth 20 points and should be completed by the date assigned in the syllabus. No late assignments will be accepted and no assignments can be submitted electronically. Be sure to include your name on the assignment.

Scenarios: Choose one of the following scenarios for your press release.

1. Ebola has been front and center in the news lately with fear of the affliction gripping our nation and poised to become both a panic and a pandemic. There has been substantial criticism of the way this has been handled by the US Government from not banning flights, increasing screenings, not providing first responders with proper safety equipment and the latest gaffe is the CDC allowing someone who was potentially contaminated to fly. If you chose this scenario, you will take the role of public affairs director for the CDC to respond to criticisms regarding allowing this nurse to fly. You should also speak to what the CDC is doing to better handle these situations in the future. For more info check out: http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Ebola-Patient-Contacted-CDC-Before-Flight-Agency-Says-279365622.html

2. Florida State football has been in the news lately due to their handling of the Jameis Winston investigation. A recent scathing report by The New York Times alleges serious law enforcement and university malfeasance. ESPN has been all over the Winston story and have been quite critical of FSU. ESPN’s College Gameday is heading to Tallahassee this weekend and some fans are threatening a boycott or protest at Gameday. If you choose this scenario you will take on the role of sports information director for Florida State University and it will be your job to put out a statement regarding the fans boycott. Remember, you don’t want to anger your fans and it’s probably not a good idea to get on ESPN’s bad side either. Good luck with this one! For more information, check out: http://fansided.com/2014/10/15/florida-state-fans-planning-boycott-espn-college-gameday/

3. Neil Patrick Harris will host the 2015 Academy Awards. If you choose this scenario, you will take the role of the public relations director for the AMPAS and discuss the rationale for having NPH as host and dealing with any potential criticism of NPH as host. For more info check out: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/15/neil-patrick-harris-oscars-host_n_5992596.html?