West Midlands 4x4 Response on TV - Midlands Today.

[Dave L]

West Midlands 4X4 had a small slot on Midlands Today, the Regional News Programme this evening. Unfortunately it did not mention 4X4 Response but simply focussed on 4X4 support in the bad weather we have had in the West Midlands.

WM02 is featured.

I think we need a Press and Publicity Officer soon!

It's on Iplayer at http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00wvbq7/Midlands_Today_23_12_2010/ it is at 7min 22 sec in.




Dave L

[nigel leyland]

I've probably said this before.....more than once...to a new team especially, a good press officer is an absolute must!

Good the get some media coverage, it tends to encourage more as the weather continues, so get in asap and max it....you'll get nowt once the sun shines!!!

Nigel.

[Tony Ferrari]

Well the BBC got close with "4x4 Volunteer Response Team"

[Bart]

Im really disappointed that they didnt use more of what they shot of the team

And im WM03, BTW :D

[markwd]

P*ss poor considering they spent nearly 3 hours with us and were given all the relevant details regarding us and national etc etc etc, what can we do?

[nigel leyland]

It is never easy to get across what you would like to in a radio interview as you only usually get a few mins max, the press tend to print the full story if they are short or sometimes take part of a quote out of context, the TV will not only cut 3 hours down to 30 secs but some will stage as much filming as they can for effect!

You can only do what you can and hope they publish what you would like......which is why I say max it while you can, if you've done a slot on the Beeb, then if you can get a slot on ITV they will want more to out do them! The more media coverage you get the more you are in demand.....go get em lads.....LOL

Nigel.

[mattgreen]

Don't forget the alternative media outlets on the web such as Twitter, Facebook, blogs, YouTube and forums etc. These are much more targeted in terms of audiences and more democratic in terms of you can control the editorial aspects of the message you wish to convey!

The traditional media still has it's place but i'm not 100% convinced I want The Public too aware of 4x4 Response - that would bring a whole host of new issues...

[Tony Ferrari]

Yes like the number of individuals who have been phoning up and asking "can you take me to work tomorrow"

If we did and they offered us payment (no matter how small) we would technically be operating an unlicensed taxi service, now that's a whole new can of worms.

Back to media, I think you got a good showing for the first time. If you can maintain the contacts, they usually start to get it right after two or three appearances.

Radio is also a good medium to target as they rely on the face to face interview, so you get to correct any innacuracies then and there.

TV is a problem as they will always want to "process" your information for their own needs. I have been reliably informed that something like "West Midlands 4x4 Response" is just too long a term, they much prefer short sound bites so "4x4 volunteer" suits their reguirements better.

Remember they are aiming their content at a public, they firmly believe has an attention span measured in mere seconds. That's why the printed media is so much better as they want their readers to get a full explanation and so pride themselves on getting the details correct.

[mattgreen]

That's why the printed media is so much better as they want their readers to get a full explanation and so pride themselves on getting the details correct.

Though print varies in quality - the cheaper, local rags often just need to fill space.

I hadn't considered before that 'technically correct' terms like a full team name doesn't make for good TV on a news bulletin.

[Tony Ferrari]

Actually the comment was regarding Radio (but even more pertinant to TV) made by a certain Lynn Bowles (which reminds me of an initiative we were going to pursue but got waylaid by last Winter's snow). Definitely something worth revising in the new year.

Local Newspapers are quite easy when they want space fillers, you write it yourself and send it to them. If it's reasonably well written they will often print it unedited

[TimChilde]

I have been reliably informed that something like "West Midlands 4x4 Response" is just too long a term, they much prefer short sound bites so "4x4 volunteer" suits their reguirements better.


Here's a suggestion - how about 4x4 RESPONSE ;)

[Tony Ferrari]

Well I was going to say that but it might be seen as me trying to steal WMs thunder.

But definitely the way to go, one of the original reasons for choosing the very short and simple "4x4 Response" as the Charity name was just that. it's a National "brand" that promotes all of us without getting complicated.

[markwd]

Here's a suggestion - how about 4x4 RESPONSE ;)

Which is exactly what we have been saying and using countless times over since the 18th call outs, keep up Tim!

Phones answered, Good morning 4x4 Response how can we help?
Control known as the 4x4 Response cell
Drivers referred to as the 4x4 Response drivers

Need I go on?............