Nazareth's public relations (PR) team assists reporters looking for expert commentary from Nazareth’s faculty or staff and handles all media photo/video requests.
The PR team works with Nazareth students, faculty, and staff to issue news releases, identify media opportunities, pitch stories to reporters, arrange media interviews, and monitor print and electronic press coverage of Nazareth University. The team also assists with crisis communications.
Under NO circumstances should a staff or faculty member contact the press without going through the marketing and communications department. If, for some unavoidable reason, prior communication with the PR team is not possible, then the PR team should be notified as soon as possible after contact with the media.
Naz in the News
The Marketing and Communications division asks to handle media inquiries or be notified when a reporter calls a professor directly. Nevertheless, the department doesn't always get every media clip featuring Nazareth. Please email notifications to Julie Long, jlong2@naz.edu, if you have a news clip that you would like the PR team to know about.
FAQ
What is newsworthy?
- Timely event or happening
- Something new about a topic that has been covered already
- Research breakthroughs that impact or interest the general public
- Well-known campus visitors
- Major announcements, such as an important award or significant gift or grant
- Human interest stories about an extraordinary Nazareth community member or project
- New majors/minors or new courses or components to courses that are tied to current events or are trendy/fun for the public to know about
When should a press release be requested?
Ideally, the public relations team tries to send press releases out at least three weeks in advance of an event. Information, therefore, is required at least four weeks before the event. This allows the PR team time to gather information, write the release, and decide which reporters to contact about the news idea.
Understandably, some events come up quickly and with little planning. The PR team will try its best to get the information out to the media. Short notice does put a strain on internal and external schedules, however, and the news is less likely to run in the paper, on television, or on the radio.
What are the different methods for getting the word out?
- Press release posted in the News section of the Nazareth website
- Press release/media advisory sent to reporters
- Events calendar posts on the naz.edu homepage
- Online calendars: If an event is newsworthy and a press release is written by the public relations team, the event will also be added to the online calendars of local news stations, newspapers, and radio stations
- Social media: Nazareth has official accounts on multiple channels.
- Print publications such as: printing posters, postcards, brochures, or other promotional materials for an event
How can I help get the word out?
- Share your story ideas with the public relations team or your school's dean
- Share your informed opinion - faculty members make great commentators and can raise the visibility of Nazareth
Will my story receive media coverage?
The marketing and communications department cannot guarantee media coverage.
Press releases and pitches let reporters and editors know about Nazareth University activities, but there is no guarantee that media will show up to cover an event.