Media Training & Telling Your Story Total presentation time – 30 minutes Slide Presentation – 15 minutes Activity – 15 minutes

The Opportunity Reporters are covering more than one beat Not only responsible for posting story, but tweeting all day, authoring a blog, taking video We live in a 24-hour news environment Competition is fierce for content For our movement to speak in one voice Show the world through your stories the meaning of inclusion and respect

Your Role Reporters are covering more than one beat Not only responsible for posting story, but tweeting all day, authoring a blog, taking video We live in a 24-hour news environment Competition is fierce for content Help encourage more people to get involved with Special Olympics and Special Olympics health programming Share your story of how Special Olympics health programming has changed your life or other athletes’ lives Find opportunities to tell your story to your fans, your community and members of the media

Where we are today Reporters are covering more than one beat Not only responsible for posting story, but tweeting all day, authoring a blog, taking video We live in a 24-hour news environment Competition is fierce for content 6 million athletes and Unified partners in 174 countries We are the largest public health organization for people with intellectual disabilities In 2018, we celebrated our 50th anniversary Say - First you need to talk about who Special Olympics is.

Where we are today Global Challenge Reporters are covering more than one beat Not only responsible for posting story, but tweeting all day, authoring a blog, taking video We live in a 24-hour news environment Competition is fierce for content Global Challenge Special Olympics International Solution We create unprecedented opportunities for the expression of athleticism & spirit. Exclusion & unrecognized potential Poorer health & fitness Say - Then you need to talk about what Special Olympics does. We operate the world’s largest health program for people with intellectual disability. Education marginalization We champion educational opportunities for people with ID & foster greater understanding in all.

Who are the Media? Reporters are covering more than one beat Not only responsible for posting story, but tweeting all day, authoring a blog, taking video We live in a 24-hour news environment Competition is fierce for content Television – National, local and cable news Radio – National and local Newspapers – National, local, international Magazines – National and local Wire services – Share stories with many news outlets Internet – Blogs, social media (Facebook, Twitter), comment posts, video posts

How does the media help Special Olympics? Builds understanding for who we are and what we do Communicates why we are urgent Changes opinions of what our athletes can achieve Helps raise money Brings people into the Special Olympics movement Reporters are covering more than one beat Not only responsible for posting story, but tweeting all day, authoring a blog, taking video We live in a 24-hour news environment Competition is fierce for content

The media’s job is harder now than ever before Reporters are covering more than one subject Not only responsible for posting stories, but tweeting all day, authoring a blog, taking video We live in a 24-hour news environment The competition is tough for content Reporters are covering more than one beat Not only responsible for posting story, but tweeting all day, authoring a blog, taking video We live in a 24-hour news environment Competition is fierce for content Facilitator note: Make sure this is not an expectation for them getting coverage.

How we consume media Reporters are covering more than one beat Not only responsible for posting story, but tweeting all day, authoring a blog, taking video We live in a 24-hour news environment Competition is fierce for content

How people get their news Reporters are covering more than one beat Not only responsible for posting story, but tweeting all day, authoring a blog, taking video We live in a 24-hour news environment Competition is fierce for content

Types of news stories Breaking news – ‘Big news stories covered everywhere’ Feature story – Profile (ex: Sports Illustrated article) Editorial or Blog Sports Story – Need to have stats, times and scores Being in the right place at the right time – Story that you help tell based on the current news Reporters are covering more than one beat Not only responsible for posting story, but tweeting all day, authoring a blog, taking video We live in a 24-hour news environment Competition is fierce for content

Interview format Live/taped (TV or radio) Telephone interview Reporters are covering more than one beat Not only responsible for posting story, but tweeting all day, authoring a blog, taking video We live in a 24-hour news environment Competition is fierce for content Live/taped (TV or radio) Telephone interview In-studio or talk show format On-locations “stand up” “Remote” interview (Interviewer and subject at different locations) Live chat on Internet (Twitter, Facebook, Skype)

Creating Your Sound Bites About You – Name, age, sports, accomplishments, health goals or health fact Involvement with Special Olympics About the event or reason you are being interviewed Call to action – what do we want people to do? (ex: donate funds, volunteer on a team or in healthy athletes, advocate for more inclusive health services, attend competitions, tune in and watch) Reporters are covering more than one beat Not only responsible for posting story, but tweeting all day, authoring a blog, taking video We live in a 24-hour news environment Competition is fierce for content Say: You are speaking on behalf of the Movement and sharing your story. You need to be able to say these four things quickly and clearly! Think about when you watch on TV. You never hear someone talk for five minutes. You need to say what you need to say in 1 minute. Facilitator note: Play this video clip of as an effective Special Olympics sound bite: https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/special-olympics-athlete-spotlight-kayla-cornell/69-604501459

Examples of Health Calls to Action If speaking to fellow athletes: Come to Healthy Athletes so you can improve your health and compete at your best. If speaking to congressmen or women: Continue to fund Special Olympics Health programs. You are helping Special Olympics make health inclusive for myself and other athletes. Facilitator note: - Ask the group to suggest other Calls to Action.

Interview Tips Be yourself! Prepare – make sure you know the facts Try to wear a Special Olympics logo (on shirt, pin or medal) Be positive and energetic You are always on the record – if you are not sure of a fact, don’t say it Remember that you play an important role in Special Olympics….no pressure! Reporters are covering more than one beat Not only responsible for posting story, but tweeting all day, authoring a blog, taking video We live in a 24-hour news environment Competition is fierce for content Facilitator note: Play this video clip of as an effective Special Olympics Health Messenger interview: https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/special-olympics-athlete-spotlight-kayla-cornell/69-604501459

How to get in the news Share photos with your local Program and write up a story about your health experience If on social media, share your Special Olympics health story with photos Alert your local Program when you are doing something so they can help you get coverage

Activity Practice creating sound bites and participating in a media interview Break into teams of two and conduct a mock interview. One person pretend they are a reporter from a local news station; the other is a Health Messenger being interviewed. Answer the following questions: What is your name and what sports do you play? Why is Special Olympics important to your health? What do you do to stay healthy? Then switch and if you asked the questions you now become the person answering the questions. Total time – 15 minutes Individual group role playing– 10 minutes Have one group do a mock interview for the entire group– 1 minutes Facilitator notes: Give the groups a few minutes to think about their sound bites. Encourage the groups to set a 1 minute time limit and each practice trying to keep their comments within that time frame. Say: Use your sound bite as a basis for your interview. Keep your response to 1 minute. If you have more time left in your minute, you want to keep finding ways to come back to your message.