MyPE

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Call to Boycott Port Elizabeth’s Community Media

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The ‘letter’ below is from a disgruntled person who has been seeking free advertising in a manner that is not conducive to getting myself and, obviously, other media instances to ‘comply’. My comments are below this letter from Mark Rose Christie.

Feel free to comment when you have waded through the hissing of cats, tossing of manes, hands on hips posturing and flexing of ‘guns’…..

Dear Sirs/Mesdames

We have approached you, because we think it is high time that one of the Port Elizabeth Radio Stations and some Community Papers, begin to provide the required Social Responsibility to their readers/listeners, which audience supports them, and indeed support you, the Funder (advertisers & sponsors).

This social responsibility is not being performed as regards publicising ALL events in their FREE gig guides (sometimes called Diaries, Calendars, What’s On) at least some of the time. And knowing the E.CAPE entertainers, I believe that I speak for several other producers, especially those of us who can not afford paid advertising (our production only has 60 seats, per month), when I say that ALL productions need at least some free publicity, at some time.

As I said before to the relevant Community media, it really does not matter to us if we run in Port Elizabeth or not, however, my concern is that given that Port Elizabeth is known for NOT publicising several events, primarily in their Community media, there must be countless local productions, let alone those from around South Africa, who do not perform in Port Elizabeth.

This, I have been told is the case, and if true, then depending on what the various Community media now write back to me (this email having been copied to them), it may be wise for the other producers (and myself) to then look at asking you to boycott any form of funding (incl. advertising) to such media, until they play fair. In other words, some action must now take place.

Your public, which forms the very base of such media, as a target audience of listeners/ readers, and upon whom you rely upon if your advertising & funding is to reach them, are the very same public, who have for 11 years that we have run, begged us to come to Port Elizabeth. We did. As of late last year (although we tried before then as well). Since then, only a handful of Community Radio stations and Community papers, have publicised us (and others) in their FREE gig guides. They, are commended, and should continue to receive funding/advertising.

We shall give you a list very shortly, as to whom responds and does not respond, so that mass action can be taken.

At present, while we present our very well and all appreciated tours (which give a great scope of History, Tourism and Legends about various cities), EVERY month in the other major cities, because of several of your Community media, the E.CAPE public only receive our tour ONCE A YEAR. However, they want it once a month, like other cities, but your community media are NOT supporting its own audience in providing them with information. This must now stop, as regards ALL productions, and if necessary, as I say, we shall appeal to you for assistance.

Below, is the usual blurb we send out, and all we ask for is for it to be published in the FREE Gig Guides (diary, calendar, what’s on) the same way as is done for others.

This one tour (for the WHOLE year, how ridiculous) will be full regardless of Communty media, however, that is not the point. The Public have a right to know of this event, and other productions also have a right to be publicised, at least some of the time. I must add, that I have seen several other productions have poor attendance in Port Elizabeth, a various theatres, and the time is now for the public to take a stand, along with your assistance if necessary.

All the best

MARK ROSE-CHRISTIE

Editors Notes: The above was emailed to; All Advertisers/Sponsors of Port Elizabeth’s Community Radio Stations and Community Papers (with BLIND copies to the latter), Local Government, Tourism and Media Ombudsman.

Now, please allow me to reply to you Mark.

Community Newspapers, Radio, Television and Internet sites all have some form of loose or tight editorial policy. This is required so that the readers of these media instances can know what to expect on a daily basis and also to properly serve them.

The media do NOT have a responsibility to advertise FOR FREE any event for gain that may be tagged a ‘community event’.

The media have a responsibility to probe, question, inform and encourage the populace into healthy debate.

The SOUTH AFRICAN definition of ‘community’ is one that concentrates on upliftment – I fail to see how your event will uplift anyone in our community, except for yourself of course. I have known Mark for many years and can categorically state that he DOES NOT fall into the SA definition of community.

Let me give you a blueprint to ensure some exposure for yourself on a vehicle such as MyPE:

You will notice that, as a community service, MyPE allows a VAST amount of free advertising.

The ‘catch’ with most free advertising is that you HAVE TO do a lot of it yourself. Merely sending a bulk e-mail to all the media instances and EXPECTING them to jump to your command by developing articles and free advertising to line your pockets does not work.

In the case of MyPE we look for a certain standard your article must adhere to Internet Writing 101:

  • Answer the 5W’s and 1H: Who, What, When, Where, Why and How.
  • Be objective (keep opinions and ‘flowery language’ out of the story).
  • Get your facts right.
  • Don’t plagiarise.
  • Give credit where it is due.
  • Cite references.
  • Provide URL’s so that your readers can discover more.
  • Rather be accurate than first.
  • Start with the most important facts first and follow with supporting information.

And, MOST IMPORTANTLY for you, Mark: The press releases that gain the most attention adhere to the above guidelines, are entertaining and are NOT pure sales pitches – which your releases certainly are.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I fully agree and support your statement Alan.  I specially support, and I quote, “The media do NOT have a responsibility to advertise FOR FREE any event for gain that may be tagged a ‘community event’.”  The key words being FOR GAIN.  If you make money out of it, then put some money into it.  Have Mr Cristie actually invited said community media which he is critising, on the tour to have them experience it.  Usually that is when media gives free publicity to something.  When they have done it for themselves and know that its worth doing. Its true that to get the free publicity you have to do more leg work.  A lot of websites have event calenders but to have the info on it you have to actually go onto it yourself and load the information.

  2. Where I come from, we call this free-loading. I wonder if Mark Rose-Christie gives away free tickets on his Mystery Ghost Bus tour? 

  3. Calling for a boycott of the media doesn’t facilitate relationship-building with them…
    Another option would be for Mr Christie to employ the expertise of a public relations company to help publicise the event. PR companies understand the media industry and its constraints. They work together with the media to do as Alan said: probe, question, inform and encourage the populace into healthy debate.
    If you’re putting together a for-profit event, you should expect to have to spend some of those profits in advance to ensure it is a successful event.

    • Bugger – forgot to recommend PR Companies in Port Elizabeth to Mark. Thanks fo rthe reminder, Claire.

      If you follow the above link please phone the MyPE Recommended public relations firms first, for no other reason than they pay to be there and therefore their info is correct. 

    • Bugger – forgot to recommend PR Companies in Port Elizabeth to Mark. Thanks fo rthe reminder, Claire.

      If you follow the above link please phone the MyPE Recommended public relations firms first, for no other reason than they pay to be there and therefore their info is correct. 

  4. I may be misunderstanding Mark, but in my eye what he proposes would then imply that Supermarkets etc must also be allowed free advertising because they deliver a “Community service”

    Nah Mark I think you should just pay for advertising like the rest

  5. I think Mark is looking at all the wrong places as to why his tours are not supported – thought the rule of thumb relating to supply and demand would actually come into play here.  If you had such a demand there definitely would be no need to depend on the print media or radio alone to fill your bus, Mark.
    We’ve been here before it is not the first time that this has reared its head….perhaps some time for introspection?
    Happy to give you a quote on how to develop a proper PR and conmunication plan if you like but it will call for some serious soul searching and relationship rebuilding – especially with the media.