When clients are considering media relations options, local radio is so underrated as a medium.
This week I’ve been pitching a story on behalf of the Suffolk Local Optical Committee, about a young man who was diagnosed with a brain tumour following an eye test he went to on his lunch break. It’s an incredible story and thankfully one with a happy ending, which demonstrates not only the role that high street opticians play in primary care, but also the pathways which exist to fast track patients to diagnosis and treatment when required.
On paper, its a good story. On radio, it’s an amazing story.
This week I’ve secured interviews on BBC Radio Suffolk, Heart FM, Greatest Hits Radio and Suffolk Sound. Everyone has wanted to speak to our cancer survivor and the optician who saved his sight.
Both our spokespeople are really good interviews, and it helps that the case study played a young Ed Sheeran in the Castle on the Hill video, for an extra hook for the Suffolk media (they can’t get enough Ed around here!).
But what I’ve found is that local radio brings the story to life in a way that online and print coverage of the story doesn’t. It’s a human interest story, and to hear our heroes of the story telling it in their own words is incredibly powerful. There’s a sense of community too – these people are one of our own.
It’s been such a busy week organising the interviews, but so worth it. And if it encourages more people in Suffolk to get their eyes checked, and potentially identifies conditions that require more than glasses, it can only be a good thing.
Want to know more about how public relations can shine a spotlight on your business? Give me a call or drop me an email