Smart Arts - Creative New Zealand

When supplying your own photo, label the back with details of who it is, the name ofshow, the photographer and a phone contact. Include a return address if you want it back.Before you send out photos, find out the preferred format. Some press may want hard copiesbut more often these days, they want to be e-mailed an electronic file. If an electronic formatis preferred, find out what format, size and resolution (e.g. 300dpi) they require.When bad news hitsRemember that bad news doesn’t have to spell disaster for your arts event. Look at thefollowing example and see what organisers of the Auckland Writers and Readers Festivaldid with their “bad” news.Two international authors – Annie Proulx and Iain Banks – pulled out of the 2003Auckland Writers and Readers Festival just six weeks before the event because of the warin Iraq. Organisers issued a media release entitled “War hits Auckland Writers andReaders Festival”. The result? News stories in most newspapers throughout New Zealand,including a page-three story in the New Zealand Herald mentioning the replacementauthors Sarah Dunnant and Jeffrey Deaver.Responding to negative pressYour response to a negative article about your event should be governed by what exactlyis said, what was intended by it, and what your public is likely to take from it.Sometimes the best response is no response. That way, you don’t validate the negativearticle and it can die a quiet death. If you choose to respond, your aim should be tocorrect false facts. Don’t get personal or emotional because the press won’t respond tothis. Your entire company should be made aware of the company line on any attacks asthey arise and it should be clear who the spokesperson to the press is. And remember,today’s news is tomorrow’s fish and chips wrapping.If your show receives a bad review there’s not a lot you can do about it. If you attack thereviewer you may create an enemy. Perhaps letters to the editor from audience membersrebutting the review are the most you can hope or plan for.The media5Smart arts | Toi huatau61