May 19, 2010 0

Story Power @ Making Media Connections

STORY POWER (Wednesday, June 9- 9AM to 4PM)

“Thank you for offering this workshop! It’s something of an “advanced” course for those of us who are familiar with the techniques of media outreach, etc. but want to strengthen our story gathering, writing and speaking skills. Thanks again!” – Jane Lawicki, Rotary International

The most important tool you can have as a communicator is the power to captivate potential audiences with your organization’s story. Learn how to make your story not just another spiel about your organization but rather a powerful tool to captivate the media, potential funders and future members. Powerful storytelling is a necessity whether you are pitching to traditional or  online media.

Story Power is back by popular demand and taught by award-winning storyteller Susan O’Halloran.  Susan will empower you with the ability to captivate audiences and move them to action. Register Today! Read the rest of this entry »

Apr 23, 2010 0

Did you get your early bird discount?

Making Media Connections is right around the corner and we want to make sure you take advantage of our EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT. Register before April 30 and get 20% off registration and be entered to win your very own FLIP CAM. Sign Up Today! This year our annual conference highlights how nonprofits tell their stories and develop communications strategies in a digital age.

JOIN US! Making Media Connections annual conference “Storytelling and Strategy in the Digital Age” June 9 and 10, 2010  
Columbia College Chicago, Film Row Cinema 1104 S. Wabash, 8th Floor www.communitymediaworkshop.og/mmc2010

For more information on the various panels and workshops, and to register for the Making Media Connections, go to www.bit.ly/mmc2010 or call 312-369-6400. Read the rest of this entry »

Apr 13, 2010 0

Website Design, Content and Usability

Website Design, Content and Usability – NEW
9 a.m. to noon, Thursday, April 29
With: Emily Lonigro, LimeRed Studio
$95, REGISTER
Ever wonder what makes a killer Website? Or how some sites make sense right away, while others over think or miss the mark completely? What’s the connection among online beauty, brains and brawn? This session will offer quick (and not so quick) fixes to get your site looking and behaving better and more for anyone who has to maintain, redo, or create a nonprofit Website.

emily_headEmily Lonigro is a branding and web design specialist who combines insightful marketing strategy with distinctive design execution. Before co-founding The Web Farm with Keidra Chaney, she started LimeRed Studio in 2004 to help small businesses and nonprofits enhance their marketing collateral with stellar design.

Feb 22, 2010 0

Writing To Make The News

Writing To Make The News
9 a.m. to noon, Thursday, March 18
$95 REGISTER

Learn the basics and more: how to write a press release, the difference between a media alert, news release, and pitch letter, and how to produce polished versions of all three. Along the way, Alton Miller, author, press secretary to the late Harold Washington, and Columbia College dean offers insights into effective public relations. Learn:

•    Pre-writing and preparation
•    Editing to strengthen your writing skills
•    How to deliver your messages in the context of an integrated marketing communication campaign

If you struggle to communicate your story ideas to the media, then it’s time to learn new writing techniques. Learn successful techniques to write clearly and concisely in ways that help deliver your messages starting as soon as your next news release.

altonnTrainer: Alton Miller is currently associate dean of the School of Media Arts and a tenured associate professor at Columbia College Chicago, where he teaches public relations writing and political PR. The first half of his PR career (1965-85) was in the performing arts. From 1985-87 he was press secretary to Chicago mayor Harold Washington, and his PR work has continued in politics and arts advocacy, including work as communications director for Sen. Carol Moseley Braun, City Treasurer Miriam Santos, and the Illinois Arts Alliance. He is the author of three nonfiction books, including a memoir, “Harold Washington: The Mayor, The Man.” In 2005 he received his M.F.A. in Writing from Goddard College. His thesis was a political novel, “Chicago Power & Light.“

Upcoming Events & Training

More information and a listing of all upcoming training

RSS Nonprofit Communicator

  • What’s your election issue? September 2, 2010
    We need your help! This is your chance to tell journalists what you want to see in the news during the fall election. The Workshop is holding a news briefing in October for the ethnic news media on critical issues in this fall’s election. We would like your advice on at least two issues that you [...] […]

RSS Newstips by Curtis Black

  • Seniors defend Social Security August 31, 2010
    Senior citizens and their supporters will protest the appearance of the leading proponent of Social Security privatization at a Chicago fundraiser tomorrow. […]

RSS Chicago is the World

  • A bigger Chinatown packs its library September 2, 2010
    Photo by Mike Bohner Chinatown wants bigger library By Chi-an Chang (張季岸) Community Media Workshop Intern The Chinatown branch of the Chicago Public Library looks like it’s the most popular library in Chicago, where often the only seating available is on the floor. June Coutre, a 13-year resident of Chinatown, says she is frustrated with [...] […]

RSS Community, Media & You

  • Carol Marin December 15, 2009
     Studs Terkel’s community-driven stories and natural ability to give a voice to us all, no matter what side of the tracks we lived on, made him one of Chicago’s most iconic journalists. An eclectic disk jockey he was, as any listener to his weekday morning program on WFMT could attest. A man of many hats, [...] […]

RSS City Voices Podcast Archives

  • Fighting Chicago’s Asthma Problem June 17, 2009
    Recorded May, 2009 Children in Chicago’s North Lawndale community are at a higher risk of getting asthma. According to the Sinai Urban Health Institute, one in four children in that neighborhood have asthma. That’s almost double city-wide and national averages.So what is it about North Lawndale that puts children at an increased risk? Who – [...] […]

RSS Chicago is the World Radio

  • The Inveterate Hybrid: Dave Wakeling of the English Beat August 9, 2010
    We had the chance to talk with Dave Wakeling of the English Beat – or the Beat, as they’re known outside of the United States. He told us about how their particular form of 2 tone ska came about in London during the late 70’s, creating what would become the second wave of ska music. [...] […]

Programming at Chicago Public Media’s Chicago Amplified


Listen to Community Media Workshop special events on "Chicago Amplified" at wbez.org. Select "Community Media Workshop" in the "View Event Archives By Partner" drop down menu.




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