Suggested Publicity Ideas for Stamp Dedication Events and Related Activities

There are many opportunities available for promoting the American Journalists stamps, as they represent a natu­ral point of interest for journalism students, educators, pro­fessional journalists, and other postal stakeholders.

• Nationally, Public Affairs and Communications has created partnerships with the National Press Club, Society of Professional Journalists, National Associ­ation of Hispanic Journalists, and the George Polk Award Committee at Long Island University to increase awareness of the stamps.
• Each of these professional associations has also agreed to promote local events to their members across the country and include stamp images on their Web sites.
• In addition, there has been tremendous interest in the Ruben Salazar stamp, and because of its importance to the National Organization of Hispanic Journalists, Spanish-language news media, and the Hispanic community in general, a special Hispanic Media Plan is included on page 7.
• Please note that while any one of the five American Journalists stamp subjects can be highlighted as part of a stamp dedication event, each dedication event is required to dedicate the American Journalists stamp as a series, with all five of the American Journalists stamp designs represented. This is easily accom­plished by utilizing the “American Journalists Stamp Design Unveiling” format available through Dodge Color. This format features all five stamp subjects in an attractive, horizontal design format, and works well for unveiling purposes.
• For example, an event focused around the Ruben Salazar stamp could include an enlargement featur­ing Salazar as a stand-alone display item brought forward after the official stamp dedication portion of an American Journalists stamp event.
• For pre-event publicity purposes, however, utilizing an enlargement of an individual stamp design subject is permissible. For example, displaying an enlarge­ment of the Eric Sevareid stamp while appearing on a television news program to promote an upcoming dedication event is permissible; displaying an enlargement with all five American Journalists stamp designs prior to a dedication event is not permissible.

Stamp Dedication Event With Journalism Organization

• Identify local media markets to host a stamp dedica­tion event. Read the background information and the national American Journalists stamp press release, and determine if any obvious connections exist between the American Journalists stamp subjects and birthplaces, family members, employment at current or defunct news media outlets, or attendance at local universities.
• Invite a current or former high-profile local news jour­nalist such as a television news anchor to function as master of ceremonies for the event. Don’t overlook national news correspondents with ties to the local community.
• Form an event team consisting of the local postmaster, Customer Relations coordinator and district Marketing staff, and Public Affairs represen­tative to locate a suitable venue for staging an event. Postal facilities, civic centers, libraries, and commu­nity centers may be available at no cost. Other pos­sible locations would include lobbies or large conference rooms at local newspaper, television, or radio stations.
• Partner with a local talk/news radio station to broad­cast the event live or broadcast live from the event site.
• Order stamp enlargements, or framed stamp art and lapel pins for the event, and determine if the local Post Office™ is interested in making the stamps available for sale at the event.
• Public Affairs and Communications has agreed to supply a limited number of American Journalists stamp lapel pins to the first ten stamp dedication events scheduled in the nation. Contact your local field PAC representative to determine if your event qualifies.

Stamp Dedication Event at University/College Campus

• There are nearly 200 university and college cam­puses offering Journalism curriculums that are regis­tered with Student Chapters of the American Society of Journalists, providing ample opportunity to bring together high profile local journalists, journalism students and educators, and Postal Service stake­holders to celebrate the American Journalists stamps, and the importance of journalism to our nation’s history.
• Contact the dean of the Journalism Department and ask to meet with him/her to discuss the American Journalists stamp. Ask if the Journalism Department is interested in hosting an on-campus event that brings working journalists and journalism students together. Suggest a mix-and-mingle format and schedule the event at a time that will maximize news coverage potential. Don’t forget the student newspaper!

Panel Discussion

• This event might include an introduction of the stamp designs by the postmaster or designee, along with a panel discussion on a current topic of interest with local journalism professionals and educators serving as panelists.

Personal Meetings and Visits to Local News Media Outlets

• Plan a tour of local media outlets by making tele­phone calls to local news directors and editors. Let them know you are interested in a short meeting at their convenience to introduce yourself and exchange revised contact information, and also to make them aware of the issuance of the American Journalists stamp.
• Attempt to schedule several visits on the same day, and invite the host city postmaster or designee to join you. Bring along color copies of the American Jour­nalists stamp press release, along with electronic files of the stamp images.
• If possible, distribute American Journalists stamp lapel pins to all meeting attendees, and attempt to match the stamp subject appearing on the lapel pins to the most relevant stamp subject for a particular community.
• Be prepared to discuss any pertinent Postal Service issues, and assure them you will respond quickly to any information requests. Consider offering them tours of postal facilities and assure them you will make them aware of any future Post Office, postal employee, and community involvement news.