Media Relations Training For Devon Businesses
29th July, 2010
Devon Tourism Skills Network is re-running a popular one day media training course to businesses across the county.
Usually restricted to the tourism sector, the Tourism Skills Network is opening up the course to businesses in other key target economic sectors - the creative, environmental, marine and food and drink industries.
From writing press releases to dealing with journalists and managing a crisis, the courses cover the basics of media relations and have been heavily oversubscribed for the past 3 years. Over a hundred businesses have attended the course, provided by a professional journalist and media trainer.
Brixham Buccanneers Karen and Nigel James attended a course in January 2009 and have relied on their training ever since, using it to gain international publicity for their ‘Most pirates gathered in one place’ world records.
Karen said: “As well as the Buccaneers, we run Harbour Business Solutions, offering marketing solutions to small business. We attended because we felt we wanted to gain a better understanding of how the media works and how to create effective publicity.
“We staged the world record attempt to bring people into Brixham and using the skills we’d gained on the course, we managed to secure media coverage not just in British media but also in America. Since then, we’ve had a long running battle with some Texan pirates who are trying to wrest our title from us!
“It was an extremely useful day – not only in terms of our learning new skills and gaining confidence when dealing with the media, but also networking with other business people. I’d thoroughly recommend it.”
Jen Brogan, Economic Development Officer at Devon County Council said: “ We recognised there was a gap in the market for providing media training to some of our smaller businesses, who can’t really afford expensive courses, and need a quick overview of the basic dos and don’ts.
“As a result, we’ve can offer courses at a subsidised rate, enabling us to provide them at a much reduced rate of £40. As a result of the encouraging feedback we’ve received, we are going to offer them to other industries so that more businesses can benefit.”
The next course will be held at Buckfastleigh on the 15th June, 9.30am – 4.30pm. For more details contact Benjamin Upchurch on 01392 382245 or tourismskills@devon.gov.uk. For details of the full range of courses on offer please go to www.devontourismadvice.co.uk
ENDS
