`People are more interesting than things': when publicizing events, be sure to personalize

October 28, 2:41 PMChicago Marketing and PR ExaminerMatt Baron

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Chicago Marketing and PR Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Jim Kepka as he received his bone marrow transplant in 2006.

Courtesy Angela Russian

"People are more important than things."

My wife and I issue that truth to our children all the time--especially when they argue over who should be able to play with this block or read that book.

In the PR world, there is this variation: "People are more interesting than things."

In short, individuals are far more newsworthy than incidents. And events are much more likely to attract media coverage when you highlight people involved in the event.

Anyone can convey the time, location and other basics of an event. But it takes diligent effort to craft a compelling story linked to that event. This comes to mind on the heels of my current work on behalf of Five Seasons Family Sports Club in Northbrook, where on Sunday, Nov. 15 there will be an indoor triathlon in support of a bone marrow registry drive.

The story's central character is Jim Kepka, a triathlete whose life was saved three years ago through a bone marrow transplant. His story, obviously, trumps anything about the actual running, biking or swimming that will go on at the club.

You can see the story here at Triblocal.com.