MEDIA KIT 2018
TABLE OF CONTENTS PHOTOGRAPHS AND USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS... 3 BEFORE YOUR MONEY SMART WEEK EVENT... 3 MEDIA RELATIONS TIPS... 3 BEFORE YOU CONTACT MEDIA... 3 WHO TO CONTACT... 3 HOW TO CONTACT MEDIA... 3 HERE ARE THE TYPES OF REPORTERS YOU CAN REACH OUT TO... 4 WHEN TO REACH OUT TO MEDIA?... 4 KEY MESSAGES... 5 TEMPLATE PRESS RELEASE... 6 EXAMPLE PRESS RELEASE... 7 PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT... 8 PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT... 9 NEWSLETTER/WEB BLURB... 10 MONEY SMART WEEK MEDIA FACT SHEET... 11 MEDIA ALERT... 12 Page 2 12
PHOTOGRAPHS AND USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS BEFORE YOUR MONEY SMART WEEK EVENT Taking and sharing photos from your Money Smart Week event(s) is a great way to promote the Money Smart Week campaign and share the impact your event had on the consumers who attended. If you are planning on taking photos during your event, it is a good practice to let your audience know in advance. Here are some ways you can do so: If you have a printed agenda, include a line at the very bottom of the page that indicates that photos, audio, and/or video recording will be in progress during the event. You can include a similar note on your event listing on the MSW website If you have an event sign or directional signage in or outside your event space, include a note to make consumers aware that photos, audio, and/or video recording will be in progress during your event. MEDIA RELATIONS TIPS BEFORE YOU CONTACT MEDIA Update your template press release (sample below). Identify your program spokesperson(s). Make sure they have your program press release and the Money Smart Week key messages. Create a media list of potential reporters and outlets you plan to contact to secure event coverage WHO TO CONTACT A media list is a list of reporters, bloggers, broad cast TV hosts, editors and producers who you want to report on your program. You can use the Internet/news websites to identify daily and community papers, local bloggers, and TV and radio stations. HOW TO CONTACT MEDIA Phone calls are often the most effective way of reaching media, particularly community papers, but use email as well. Articulate key program message and details. Ask if the reporter can include the information in an upcoming issue/segment/calendar (whichever format is appropriate). o The reporter will likely ask you to send press releases or information via email, so have that information ready. Follow-up in a few days to: o Confirm receipt of the information, see if they have additional questions o Determine if information will be used by the outlet. Page 3 12
HERE ARE THE TYPES OF REPORTERS YOU CAN REACH OUT TO Event/calendar editors can list your events in calendar sections both online and print. Radio community public service directors can mention your program on air. Feature editors/producers can write long pieces or feature stories about Money Smart Week. They may interview your spokesperson(s) and event attendees as part of their coverage of your event. Online editors/bloggers can run calendar information and link to the Money Smart Week website. *Consider reaching out to your Chamber of Commerce, area businesses, churches and community groups, in addition to media outlets. Your local Chamber of Commerce may be able to provide you contact information for area businesses and other organizations that can help you drive attendance to your event. WHEN TO REACH OUT TO MEDIA? January/February 2018: Distribute press release to daily/community newspaper calendar editors. Send press release to community papers, local bloggers and to your Chamber of Commerce, churches and community organizations and anyone else who can help drive attendance. March 2018: Contact TV and radio features reporters and morning program producers to secure advance interviews with your program spokesperson(s); follow-up as needed to confirm interest and coverage. April 2018: Follow up with everyone you contacted during January, February and March specifically those whom you have not heard back from. Event week: Contact television station planning desks to get on their weekly editorial planning calendars Follow-up day-of to determine/secure interest in event coverage Page 4 12
KEY MESSAGES Money Smart Week is a national public awareness campaign coordinated by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago to help individuals and families better manage their personal finances. Money Smart Week is April 21-28, 2018. Thousands of free Money Smart Week events will be hosted throughout the country on topics ranging from saving for college and managing student loan debt to budgeting and retirement. Money Smart Week events are hosted by partner organizations including financial institutions, libraries, government agencies, media and nonprofits. Launched in 2002 by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Money Smart Week began as a one-city program in Chicago and has grown to all 50 states, with thousands of events nationally and +100,000 participants annually. Money Smart Week national partners are the American Library Association, the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Financial Planning Association, NAPFA Consumer Education Foundation (NCEF) and the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) Cooperative Extension. Event information is available and searchable by zip code, audience and topic www.moneysmartweek.or g Page 5 12
TEMPLATE PRESS RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT: [Your name] [Phone number] [Email address] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FREE PROGRAM ON [TOPIC] AT [LOCATION] Event is Part of Money Smart Week [CITY/STATE/DATE] - [Host organization name] is hosting a free class on [program name] on [time/day/date/place] The event is one of thousands of free financial education classes being offered nationwide during the upcoming Money Smart Week, from April 21-28, 2018. To sign up or to find other programs in your area, visit www.moneysmartweek.org. Money Smart Week is the broadest and most comprehensive financial education program in the country. Started in 2002 in Chicago with just 40 programs, it has expanded significantly to become the only national educational program for people at all stages of life. According to exit surveys, most participants indicate they re likely to change the way they manage their money after attending a Money Smart Week Class. Created by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Money Smart Week is a public awareness campaign designed to help consumers better manage their personal finances. This is achieved through the collaboration and coordinated effort of thousands of organizations across the country including businesses, financial institutions, schools, libraries, not-for-profits, government agencies and the media. Programming is offered to all demographics and income levels and covers all facets of personal finance. Partnering organizations will host their events April 21-28, 2018. For more information about events or becoming a partner, visit www.moneysmartweek.org. ### Page 6 12
MEDIA CONTACT: Laura LaBarbera 312-322-2387 laura.labarbera@chi.frb.org EXAMPLE PRESS RELEASE National Money Smart Week Campaign to Offer Free Financial Education CHICAGO- (xxxx xx, 2018) - Thousands of free financial education classes and seminars for consumers will be held throughout the U.S. during Money Smart Week from April 21-28, 2018. Classes are open to people of all ages at businesses, financial institutions, schools, libraries, community organizations and government agencies throughout the country. They cover a wide variety of money-management topics including saving for college, buying a house, using credit wisely, managing student debt and financing retirement. The educational events will be carried out by local and regional partnering organizations. In addition, there are several national partners, including the American Library Association, the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Financial Planning Association and the United States Department of Agriculture Cooperative Extension. Money Smart Week is an incredible opportunity for consumers to access free advice on all areas of personal finance, said Heather Greenwell, Outreach Program Lead, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, which coordinates the campaign. We hope individuals and families will take advantage of these educational offerings and ultimately improve or enhance their financial success. Money Smart Week is the broadest and most comprehensive financial education program in the country. Started in 2002 in Chicago with just 40 programs, it has expanded significantly to become the only national educational program for people at all stages of life. According to exit surveys, most participants indicate they re likely to change the way they manage their money after attending a Money Smart Week Class. Consumers who are interested in finding out about classes in their area during Money Smart Week can visit www.moneysmartweek.org. The updated calendar of events will be available beginning the first week of January, 2018. ### Created by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago in 2002, Money Smart Week is a public awareness campaign designed to help consumers better manage their personal finances. This is achieved through the collaboration and coordinated effort of thousands of organizations across the country including businesses, financial institutions, schools, libraries, not-for-profits, government agencies and the media. Programming is offered to all demographics and income levels and covers all facets of personal finance. Partnering organizations will host their events April 21-28, 2018. For more information about events or becoming a partner, visit www.moneysmartweek.org. Page 7 12
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT Radio Script Length: 30 seconds Placement: Through April 28 th, 2018 Announcer: It s too bad money doesn t come with instructions because we all need to know how to spend, save and borrow it wisely. Banks, businesses, schools, libraries and many others are joining together to help support financial education during Money Smart Week April 21st through the 28th. Numerous free education programs are available to the public on all facets of financial education. Learn to be Money Smart. For information and activity listings near you, visit www.moneysmartweek.org. Page 8 12
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT Radio Script Length: 60 seconds Placement: Through April 28, 2018 Announcer: Are you Money Smart? Fact is we all could use a little help when it comes to managing our finances. Money doesn t come with instructions, and that s why banks, businesses, schools, libraries and lots of others are joining together to help support financial education during (your town s) 16th annual Money Smart Week April 21th through 28th. During the week hundreds of free classes will be offered throughout the state for all ages and walks of life. Learn about credit, the home-buying process, estate planning, how to avoid being a victim of identity theft and more! All presentations are free, educational and involve no sales pitches. Be a part of it. Learn to be Money Smart. For more information and activity listings visit www.moneysmart.org. Sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and the Money Smart Week partners. Page 9 12
NEWSLETTER/WEB BLURB Length: 150 words Placement: Through April 28, 2018 MONEY SMART WEEK 2018 SET FOR SPRING Money Smart Week in 2018 will be held April 21-28, 2018. For the 16 th consecutive year, banks, financial institutions, schools, non-profit organizations and government agencies are joining together to provide a week of classes and events aimed at helping consumers make informed choices when managing their personal finances. Thousands of free educational classes will take place in (your area) focusing on financial topics for people of all ages and walks of life. More than 200 Money Smart Week partners will again be providing substantial support. The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago will also again provide leadership and resources. For more information or to view a complete listing of calendar events around the city and suburbs, visit www.moneysmart.org. Page 10 12
MONEY SMART WEEK MEDIA FACT SHEET What is Money Smart Week 2018? Money Smart Week is a series of educational activities to help consumers learn how to manage their personal finances. When is Money Smart Week Chicago? Thousands of free classes, seminars and activities promoting financial education will take place throughout (your town, state) April 21-28. Who s involved? The week s activities are coordinated and put on by a partnership group that includes financial institutions, community groups, local government agencies, schools and colleges. The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago works with the local partner group to ensure the week s success. How can I learn more? Free print calendars featuring Money Smart Week (your town) events will be distributed to consumers to help them select which class or seminar is most appropriate to attend. The calendar will also be posted online at http://www.moneysmartweek.org/chicago Page 11 12
MEDIA ALERT HUNDREDS OF FREE CLASSES OFFERED IN CELEBRATION OF 16 th Annual MONEY SMART WEEK Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago To Teach (add your town) Smart Personal Financial Management What: The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and (your representatives), are encouraging (your town) to be Money Smart by offering hundreds of free classes and events throughout (your area) during Money Smart Week 2018. The week is focused on improving financial literacy among (your town s) residents of all ages and walks of life. The Federal Reserve and its partners will host thousands of free events, including classes in a variety of languages. Free to the public at a variety of locations (throughout your city and state), Money Smart Week s events cover topics ranging from mortgages and identity theft to consumer credit and money management. Financial experts from more than xxx leading organizations will teach the classes. When: April 21 28, 2018 Where: Contact: Various venues throughout (your town). (Your town) residents can find classes near their home or office on topics of interest to them at www.moneysmartweek.org. (your local contacts including email), Media Notes/Photo Opps: (List points of interest) Page 12 12