News alert is a service that monitors your brand, competitors or industry keywords and notifies you when new content is published containing those terms. It’s an efficient way to keep your fingers on the pulse of conversations, and also a great tool for catching potential publicity opportunities.
Breaking news alerts are immediate notifications sent to inform audiences about developing stories and events as they unfold. They are typically disseminated across multiple platforms, including TV, radio and websites to ensure a wide reach. They often include essential information addressing the who, what, where, when and why of an event to help audiences grasp a situation quickly. They raise important ethical considerations that require journalists to prioritize accuracy over sensationalism and take the sensitivity of tragic incidents into account.
Media Alerts
Media alerts—also called media advisories—are one-page announcements of upcoming or current events intended specially for journalists. They are an effective way to convince reporters that your event is a genuine news story and should be covered. A strong media alert includes a captivating headline, contact information for someone from your organization that reporters can interview or find more information with and a compelling reason why the event is important. See this sample media alert from a local Lights On Afterschool event for inspiration. Media alerts can be distributed through email, on social media or via wire services (like the AP). They should always be tailored for your specific audience.
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