M1 Assignment 3

It is important to localize news if you want coverage in community newspapers. Suggest a way to localize each of the following items:

a. A national airline has just compiled the number of flights, mileage, and total passengers carried last year.

To localize, I would compare the national airline statistics to the numbers of a local airport, to compare the amount of air traffic.

b. A computer company has introduced a new tablet computer.

A way to localize this would be to list places in the area that will be selling this new computer. Places that offer computer classes and information on how to use the tablet computer could be offered as well, along with the impact on local businesses.

c. A national manufacturing company with plant sites in 100 different cities has just announced its annual earnings and stock dividend.

A way to localize this would be to take a look at if the local economy has changed at all because of these businesses and the information and if so, how.  

d. A company has just developed a new GPS system integrated into their entire line of cars.

An article could explain the benefits and features of the GPS and where a person could purchase a new car with the GPS system. I would try and find a person in the area who has purchased one of these cars already and interview them for more information.   

e. A charitable agency has just released national figures on the number of Americans afflicted with AIDS.

Release general information about AIDS, such as potential symptoms, and area clinics that would provide testing. I would also release information on where and how people can donate money to the agency, if interested.

2) Leinenkugels is interested in doing some sort of poll or survey that would generate media coverage. What would you recommend and why?

I would suggest doing something simple that would still gain some attention. To reach through the clutter of all the other business polls and surveys, I’d want the customers to receive something in return. I would suggest posting the poll or survey on the Leinenkugels website. When a person has completed the survey, they would receive some sort of reward or coupon, like a case of beer half off, or a free ticket for a tour, for example. This would encourage a lot of people to take the survey and the news of it would spread by word of mouth, too.