finding the right person

The simplest way to begin is to identify someone willing to be your event, or state association, "publicist," who will act as your primary media/public relations contact.

Likely candidates for this position are:
• Board members or officers
• Newsletter editor or contributor
• Avid tournament-goer
• Any well-organized, dependable racquetball enthusiast

responsibilities

The publicist must be prepared to:
• Handle promotional details of the state organization or event
• Provide consistent, accurate information in response to media inquiries
• Offer media support to print and broadcast projects (with needed details, access to players, contact info)
• Maintain (or be able to retrieve) historical records of state championships
• Build (or have reliable access to) a player database
• Be knowledgeable about the participants (defending champions, interesting professions, recovering from injury, etc.)
• Be able to "pitch" story ideas to media

groundwork

Long before the first match begins, the publicist will:
• Research local and state media contacts
• Identify main editors, assignment editors, weekend editors
• Generate mailing, phone, fax and email lists
• Make telephone contact
• Send media kit or introductory letter, by mail
• Send news releases by fax and email
• Provide his/her "reply" contact info (name, phone numbers, email) for any follow-up inquiries

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