Hitting the headlines

9 November 2011

We spoke to Ken, the group's Press Officer, to find out the secrets of his success.

How long have you been involved in the group?

I've been a member of the group since it started in the 1980's and I've been the Press Officer for about five years.

What's the best part of the job?

It's great to get feedback from people who agree with what I've said in the paper. I really like getting the group's message across in the media.

What do you enjoy least?

It's frustrating when the newspaper misses out part of what I've written. Fortunately that doesn't happen very often.

How have you got so much press coverage?

We've been lucky this year with our press releases. Covering a whole range of issues helps. The group has supported local wind power developments and promoted things like cycling and recycling.

There's also been lots of local planning developments which we've had a say on. Plus we've done a lot of practical work through the Greening Group. We've planted a wildflower meadow at a local rail station and lots more.

Ken and the Greening Group in action

Do you have a favourite story?

That would be from a couple of years ago - a story about the impact on pedestrians of removing traffic lights. The newspaper put it on the front page with a great photo.

How many local papers are there?

The group's been featured in three local papers in Leighton Buzzard as well as others in Dunstable and Aylesbury. The group has good contacts at all the papers - people I've known for a long time. That really helps.

Any tips for budding press officers out there?

I follow Friends of the Earth's press releases and letters. It's definitely worth following up your email with a phone call too. That can help get your story printed. You also need a good photo to go with your story - something eye-catching.

It's also important to make sure you have something extra to add to the story -some research or an action. That way it sticks out in people's minds.

Ken has an amazing ability to summarise the story very clearly and nearly always gets it printed.

Victoria Harvey, Coordinator of South Bedfordshire Friends of the Earth

How do you build on all the press coverage?

You need a good campaign that you can follow up on - something tangible that people can see the group is doing on the ground.

The group does lots of practical work like planting a wildlife meadow at a local rail station and clearing river beds of rubbish. It shows people that the group is really active in the community.

Any other tips on raising your profile?

During our campaign against a planned Tesco supermarket we brought in an expert to write a report. It's always good to be clear that you know what you're talking about.

You have to follow up any press coverage you get. We held a demo for more recycling which was well covered in the local media.

So we worked with the town council and now we're looking forward to having new recycling bins in the town centre.

That'll hopefully be my next press release.

Get involved locally

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