Newsrooms of todayThe changing landscape of mediaPrepared for: Public Health Executive and Administrative Assistant Conference

Feb. 6, 2015Novotel Toronto Centre, Toronto

Presenter: Carrie Beatty, communications specialistNiagara Region Public HealthMember of the Ontario Association of Communicators in Public Health

Agenda• Welcome• Why media is important• Role of media in public health work• Understanding the news• The new media• Staying in the game• Questions

Why media is important• It’s a direct conduit to our target audiences• Illustrates the public health sector and the

important work we do to keep communities healthy• Can advance public health practice and influence

policy/decision-makers• Increase the ability to accomplish mass

communications campaigns• Your Board of Health will care

Understanding the news

5

Journalists come for one of three types of angles

1. Reporting on breaking news / public health crisis

2. Exploring complex ideas for a larger feature about public health that may not be tied to a specific news event

3. Investigating an appearance of misconduct in the public health unit / system

Role of spokespeople at health units

• They represent your organization • Conduit to communicate messages effectively• Supports public health’s efforts in being seen

as open and transparent • Speaks to role of MOH/AMOH being

recognized as experts in public health knowledge

Urban versus rural

News cycle and the new media

The new media

Tweet, post, like, pin, watch – did you catch it?

500 million

80%

71%

Doubled

Staying in the media game• Proactive media strategies• Engaging media differently• Availability of spokespeople• Greater presence of public health leaders

on these platforms• Telling our story differently

QUESTIONS?

Thank you to my communications colleagues:

Barbara Leavitt (Huron County)Lucia Zdeb (PHO)

Nicole Helsberg (PHO)