By Caitlin Jenney, Integrated University Communications
What do reporters want? How can I get my message across in an interview? What if they try to get me to say something I don’t want to? Understanding how the media works is crucial to ensuring interactions and interviews with media representatives are done well. The Media and Public Relations team in the Office of Integrated University Communications is here to help you prepare for your print, broadcast and online interviews. Media specialists hold monthly media training sessions that offer tips on preparing for the interview, followed by a “practice run” with a taped interview.
These small group workshops are designed to be fun and informative and are geared toward helping participants feel comfortable with public speaking opportunities. Workshops are held on both campuses, alternating every other month between the Denver campus and the Anschutz Medical Campus (in the mornings and afternoons to better accommodate physician schedules). Departments, schools and colleges also can request special group sessions at times that work best for them.
“Office of Integrated University Communications staff are extremely knowledgeable and use real-world examples and scenarios. The guidelines and suggestions are useful, practical, and should be followed by all faculty and staff affiliated with the university. The mock media interviews are an invaluable part of the fun, interactive training session.”
- Hamilton Bean, assistant professor, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
“I attended the training shortly after the Colorado School of Public Health opened. At the time we had several matters open to the press and were receiving a fair amount of coverage. The Media Relations team tailored the training material to cover this content. Together we addressed various scenarios and identified techniques for appropriately responding to challenging topics and questions. The training was invaluable.”
- Lyndsey Crum, director of communications and external relations, Colorado School of Public Health
2011 MEDIA TRAINING SCHEDULE
Anschutz Medical Campus
Monthly media training occurs every other month on the Anschutz Medical Campus beginning in May. Sessions typically occur on a Tuesday morning from 9-11:30 a.m. or a Thursday afternoon from 2:30-5 p.m. in the conference room on the second floor of the Nighthorse Campbell building. Choose from the following dates:
--Thursday, May 18, 2:30-5 p.m.
--Tuesday, July 12, 9-11:30 a.m.
--Tuesday, Sept. 13, 9-11:30 a.m.
--Thursday, Nov. 10, 2:30-5 p.m.
Denver Campus
Media training on the downtown campus occurs every other month beginning in June. The sessions take place on a Friday morning from 9-11:30 a.m. in the Integrated University Communications’ conference room, located on the ground floor of 1350 Lawrence St. Choose from the following dates:
--Friday, June 24, 9-11:30 a.m.
--Friday, Aug. 19, 9-11:30 a.m.
--Friday, Oct. 14, 9-11:30 a.m.
--Friday, Dec. 16, 9-11:30 a.m.
Book a time for yourself or for your department by contacting Caitlin Jenney, news media specialist, at: 303-315-6376 or by e-mail caitlin.jenney@ucdenver.edu.