When supplying your own photo, label the back with details of who it is, the name of

show, 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 copies

but more often these days, they want to be e mailed an electronic file. If an electronic format

is preferred, find out what format, size and resolution (e.g. 300dpi) they require.

When bad news hits

Remember that bad news doesn't have to spell disaster for your arts event. Look at the

following example and see what organisers of the Auckland Writers and Readers Festival

did with their  bad  news.

Two international authors   Annie Proulx and Iain Banks   pulled out of the 2003

Auckland Writers and Readers Festival just six weeks before the event because of the war

in Iraq. Organisers issued a media release entitled  War hits Auckland Writers and

Readers Festival . The result? News stories in most newspapers throughout New Zealand,

including a page three story in the New Zealand Herald mentioning the replacement

authors Sarah Dunnant and Jeffrey Deaver.

Responding to negative press

Your response to a negative article about your event should be governed by what exactly

is 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 negative

article and it can die a quiet death. If you choose to respond, your aim should be to

a

correct false facts. Don't get personal or emotional because the press won't respond to

this. Your entire company should be made aware of the company line on any attacks as

edi

they 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.

e m

If your show receives a bad review there's not a lot you can do about it. If you attack the

Th

reviewer you may create an enemy. Perhaps letters to the editor from audience members

rebutting the review are the most you can hope or plan for.

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Smart arts

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