Ten Things Journalists Want in an Online Newsroom

Comes today from the annuls of Tactics, the PRSA monthly newsletter for us astute PR practitioners, Ibrey Woodall of the TEKgroup tells us what journalists want. It's not breaking news that online newsrooms are valuable tools for the journalist and communications manager alike. But what we include and exclude can make or break a relationship with our media colleagues.

(Ok I may be overstating here, but as a former journalist, online newsrooms just make sense.) And I wish they were available when I was sweating the deadline, biting my fingernails to the nub, waiting on some communications pro to return my call.

Anyway, my post isn't to wax nostalgic, so let's get to it:

1. Searchable archives
2. Communication contacts
3. News releases
4. Backgrounders
5. High and low resolution photographs
6. Product information and press kits
7. Crisis communication tools (a dark blog or website that can be activated immediately)
8. Executive biographies
9. Events calendar and audio/video files
10. Financial information (the key here is understandable data for the average Joe).

So there you have it. It's not much different than what Shel Holtz has been preaching. And if you want an excellent example of an online newsroom, check out Haagen-Dazs -- Help the Honey Bees. Seems like our little friends are in a bit of trouble.Because the HD ice cream folks are concerned, they've launched an online newsroom to help us understand the bee-havior of those buzzing critters and why they are so important.

Other links that might interest you:
Haagen-Dazs Loves Honey Bees
Häagen-Dazs goes to Hill for honeybees, ice cream
Haagen-Dazs Helps the Honey Bee at Social Honeycomb