The Diocese of London works with the communications agency Luther Pendragon to provide media support to parishes.
Luther Pendragon Media Support
The Media Team is available to advise parishes on all media queries, whether you have a local story that you would like to promote or need help in dealing with a journalist’s request.
The team also takes all media enquiries on behalf of the bishops, archdeacons and diocesan staff.
What to do if a journalist calls
You should ask the journalist for:
- their contact details
- the nature of their query
- the deadline that they are writing to
You should then get in touch with our media team by phone or email. It is always worth talking through a response, rather than giving a quote off the cuff. You may not be aware of a wider story or angle.
If you are asked for an interview or to participate in any media activity:
Even comfortable media performers should let us know if they are going to appear in the media. This allows the team to collect any coverage as well as giving the opportunity to talk through the content, do some quick refresher media training and talk through any potentially difficult issues that may come up that you might not be aware of.
Publicising good news
If there is local activity you would like to publicise, the media team is always happy to advise on the best way to draw attention to news and activity at your church. The team can provide you with contact details for your local media, help you to draft a press release, issue information to your local media, talk to journalists on your behalf and, if you are going to be interviewed, help you to prepare. More information about publicising local activity can be found below.
1. Timeliness
News is about what is current. In simple terms, an event that took place today is more newsworthy than an event that took place last week. It is therefore always best to get in touch well in advance of any events taking place in order to have all press materials drafted before the event takes place.
2. Significance
A good measure of how significant a story is is how many people are affected by it. The more people affected by a development in your local area, the more newsworthy it is likely to be.
3. Accompanied by good photos
With today’s social media and online news platforms, a strong image is a must for news items. You will need the correct permissions for the pictures to be used for by the press or on the diocesan news page.
4. Celebrities/person of interest
The involvement of a celebrity or person of significance (e.g. the local MP, a high profile parishioner or a diocesan figure like the Bishop of London) at an event adds to its newsworthiness.
What to tell the media team
Some useful information to have ready for when you speak to the media team includes:
- What will be happening? What is the goal?
- How many people do you expect to attend/to be involved?
- Will any charities or local dignitaries be attending or involved?
- Are there any initiatives, fund raising efforts or other activity at the church that the release could also highlight?
- What historical background to the parish or church could the release highlight?