The last word on media relations
SIR: Public relations, as it concerns the media, has received a much needed breakthrough in the just published book, Media Relations Playbook: 25 Proven Effective Hacks, by Chido B. Nwakanma.
Contemporary developments in media relations in Nigeria and much of Africa are explored with a mastery that compels attention.
The much sought- after media consultant and educator, Chido B. Nwakanma, has over the past nine years facilitated training sessions on Media Relations Management at professional forums and academe, and has distinguished himself as Adjunct Faculty at the esteemed School of Media & Communication, PanAtlantic University, Lagos.
It’s instructive that the National Universities Commission ( NUC) has broken down Mass Communication into seven distinct domains with Public Relations as a stand- alone field.
Given that Media Relations is pivotal to Public Relations, Nwakanma’s Media Relations Playbook is indeed a timely game- changer as a quintessential guidebook.
Nwakanma is akin to an astute coach in American football that graduated from the field as a consummate quarterback who masterfully orchestrates the game armed with a classic playbook.
One cannot but learn from the guru who has 30 years cognate communication management experience and has served as president of both the International Association of Business Communication ( IABC) Nigeria and Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria ( PRCAN).
In this millennial age of multiform information platforms, the media can be said to be everywhere.
As at April 2023, Media Relations Playbook informs, Nigeria had 740 functional radio, television, and online broadcast stations, made up of 390 radio stations and 350 television stations, broadcasting in English, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Ijaw, Fulfude, Efik, Urhobo and well over 50 other languages.
Nigeria has over 100 national, regional, community and local print media publications, with the most popular newspapers being The Guardian, The Punch, Vanguard, Thisday, The Nation, The Sun, Daily Trust, Leadership, Daily Independent, Premium Times etc.
Digital media can be seen as all the rage today, and the ubiquitous social media cannot be done without, warts and all as per information, misinformation, disinformation and sundry whatnots. Nwakanma’s Media Relations Playbook offers 25 seamless lessons, starting with being clear about objectives, audiences, and deliverables.
In media relations, it is fundamentally crucial to be clear about strategy, to wit, the plan of action to achieve a long- term aim.
Having a distinct media engagement plan specifies who, what, where, when, and how to do the necessary.
It is incumbent on the responsible practitioner to “tell your story” because “the goal of a media relations effort is usually to get the word out on behalf of your organisation or client.”