Please go to the sidebar on my home page to find other examples of my work ~ Paula Wethington
My career is primarily been in news, digital media and social media. I also have worked on the occasional project that falls under the description of public relations. This included several years as company newsletter editor when I was working in Ohio.
Here are two projects that are external communications:
Christmas Magic in Monroe
In 2017, The Monroe News became the presenting sponsor of the holiday parade in Monroe, Michigan. Under new leadership, the event was rebranded, switched from a daytime parade to a night time parade, given a new route, and moved to a new date in mid-December.
We had a lot of messaging to get out to the public on what to expect and what to look for. Christmas Magic in Monroe was, in effect, a brand new event while keeping the a long-standing tradition of a parade to welcome Santa to town.
I was assigned the task of media relations; 2019 was my third and final year in that role.
My tasks included:
- Researching and writing about the history of Monroe’s Christmas parade.
- Sending press releases to visiting media.
- Submitting information to regional event calendars.
- Interviewing the grand marshals and junior grand marshals and scheduling those announcements in our publications.
- Scheduling media interviews for three local radio stations to promote the parade.
- Accompanying company spokesman to radio interviews, providing him with talking points and background, also answering questions on air as the additional guest during those interviews.
- Posting photos from, and thank you comments to, the radio and TV stations that did interviews.
- Selecting and sending B-roll video clips to a reporter who requested them for an advance report.
- Handling advance and on-site organic content for the Facebook and Instagram accounts (another team member handled paid social).
- Keeping track of which media were expected on site and arranging for media credentials for their staff.
- On-site media support such as delivering final parade entry lists to the television and radio crews.
- Claiming and posting content to a Google My Business profile for the event.
After each parade, I compiled reports for management regarding media placement and social media reach; and forwarded feedback from visitors and participants. The 2019 report included a list of over 50 media, local personality, business, school, and organization social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube that mentioned Christmas Magic in Monroe.
This was the press release I sent Dec. 5, 2019, to our media contacts:
Media friends:
We’re coming up on the date Christmas Magic in Monroe, which is Dec. 14. The initial press release was sent in early November.
We have several updates in this press release including the grand marshal, confirmed entries in the parade and updates on hospitality arrangements.
Should you wish to request media credentials for the event, interview opportunities or other information, please reach out to us at this email.
Thank you.
Paula Wethington
Christmas Magic in Monroe media relations
Celebrate the Christmas season with
Christmas Magic in Monroe – Parade and Winter Wonderland
Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019
Monroe, Mich., Dec. 5, 2019 – Christmas Magic in Monroe – Parade and Winter Wonderland, a one-day festival and celebration of the Christmas season – returns to Monroe Saturday Dec. 14.
Christmas Magic in Monroe premiered in 2017 as a revamped and reimagined version of the city’s longtime tradition of a parade to welcome to town. Thousands of people come downtown for this event, which features a lighted nighttime parade and street festival in and around Loranger Square at the corner of Washington and E. First Sts.
Winter Wonderland takes place from 3 to 9 p.m., with popular activities from last year such as ice skating, a live nativity scene and chestnut roasting again on the schedule.
The parade starts at 6 p.m., at the corner of West Front and Harrison Street, proceeding east on Front and south on Washington through Loranger Square. About 60 entries are expected for the parade, including the Monroe, Jefferson and Bedford high school marching bands; a marching mariachi band; and several departments among Monroe County’s first responders.
This year’s grand marshal is Monroe Mayor Robert Clark. The Junior Grand Marshal honors go to Miss Monroe County 2019 Madalyn Poupard and her court; along with Miss Michigan Outstanding Teen 2019 Madison McElvany. Santa will ride in an antique fire truck and welcome visitors after the parade at the Loranger Square pavilion.
There also will be gas-powered heating stations along the parade route, and hot chocolate and food vendors in Winter Wonderland. Indoor hospitality will be available at First Merchants Bank.
The Monroe News is the presenting sponsor for Christmas Magic in Monroe. The other major sponsors are Monroe Bank & Trust / First Merchants Bank; La-Z-Boy Inc.; City of Monroe; and DTE Energy Foundation.
The Monroe County Emergency Management text message service will be used for notifications that day to participants and visitors downtown. To sign up, text the code “Magic19” to 888-777.
For additional details, go to www.christmasmagicinmonroe.com. The event hashtag is #MagicInMonroe. Look up “Magic in Monroe” on Facebook; “Christmas Magic in Monroe” on Instagram.
To request media credentials, interview opportunities or additional information, please email media@christmasmagicinmonroe.com
Fremont Ross Music Alumni
During the late 1990s, I was on the organizational committee for the music alumni organization at my high school in Fremont, Ohio. I rejoined the volunteer group in 2014, this time as an out-of-town alumni.
My current tasks include handling the Facebook and Instagram accounts. I also served as the emcee for the 2019 awards dinner. In addition, I am asked to write the press releases that local members submit to the local newspapers and radio station.
This was the 2019 press release I prepared for our media contacts (I’ve removed the personal phone numbers).
The Fremont Ross Music Hall of Fame Gala will take place Oct. 19 at Anjulina’s Banquet Hall, 2270 Hayes Ave., Fremont. This year’s honorees are Thomas Ziebold, class of 1965; Jack Rinehart, class of 1966; and Thea (Grendahl) Christou, class of 1973.
The meet and greet starts at 5:30 p.m., dinner is served at 6:30 p.m., and the program begins at 7:30 p.m.
This event is sponsored by Fremont Ross Music Alumni Foundation. Proceeds help provide scholarships to Fremont Ross graduates who were part of the music department and plan to continue their music involvement in college. The Class of 2019 scholarship winner was Sierra Tatum.
Gala tickets are $30, with reservations and payment due Oct. 8. There will be a cash bar, hatbox drawing and silent auction. For ticket information or to make a silent auction donation, contact Jan or Karen Sorg at XXX-XXXX.
In addition, all Fremont Ross Marching Little Giants alumni are invited to participate in the Homecoming parade, pregame and halftime performance with this year’s band. Music rehearsal is 7 p.m. Oct. 17 at the high school band room; meet up is at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 18 at the high school practice field to learn the marching routine. Alumni can also join the parade to Don Paul Stadium.
Those who would like music alumni T-shirts to wear at Homecoming should order them by Oct. 8.
For additional details about the gala or alumni night, or to request a T-shirt order form, email the organization at XXXX. Fremont Ross Music Alumni Foundation also can be found on Facebook and Instagram under screen name @fromalum.
Paula Wethington 