To help ensure press coverage of your event, read the advice in the Key Steps below. Then, find out a step-by-step plan for putting that advice into action by clicking on the Media Timeline at right.
Review suggested angles for your country/region press release. These could be related to the World COPD Day theme, “It's not too late,” or another topic relevant to your planned activity.
Draft a press release or amend GOLD's template for use in your country, including a quote from the GOLD National Leader or other World COPD Day organizer in your country.
World COPD Day Event?
If you are holding a press event for World COPD Day, or are conducting any public activity, be sure to mention this in your diary date (see Step 8) and in your release.
Utilize Third Parties
Working with your National Pulmonary Association or COPD Patient Group, utilize additional quotes or statistics within the press release or media background information to provide context and examples of how these statistics affect day-to-day practice.
Case Study
Consider including a case study (sourced via Primary Care Practitioner or Patient Group) to provide media with a ‘real-life’ story of the impact of COPD and the help available for patients. Is there a famous local personality with COPD (or with a relative who has COPD) whom you can approach to comment on the campaign? What has this person’s experience with spirometry and COPD diagnosis been? What does “It’s not too late” mean to him or her?
Spokespeople
Brief key spokespeople (GOLD National Leader, patient group representative, etc.) with the key messages you wish to communicate around World COPD Day (emphasizing the importance of spirometry, the help and interventions available for patients at all stages of the disease, etc.). Ensure that they have availability both on World COPD Day and the day before to help meet the needs of your target media.
Media Selection
Decide on your target media distribution list for the press release. If your press release particularly focuses on the burden of COPD on caregivers, for example, remember to include media outlets that target families (such as women's interest media).
Diary Date
A number of your national media outlets will have a diary date marker system. Get in touch two weeks prior to World COPD Day to make them aware of the story. This is particularly important if you are planning to target broadcast media.
Timing for Press Release Distribution
Distribute your press materials (under embargo for World COPD Day) 48 hours prior. Remember to include clear contact details (including an out of hours telephone contact) for those journalists wishing to set up an interview. If you have visuals (e.g., World COPD Day logo, images of spirometry screening, gold ribbons for COPD awareness, etc.) your print media contacts may wish to use these. Please remember to indicate on your press release that you have visuals available.
Monitor Coverage
If you have a media monitoring system in place please alert them to the fact that you are undertaking significant activity. If you do not have a monitoring system speak to your sponsors who may be able to help.
