Getting Media Coverage

Newspapers

Make it Newsworthy

Invite local celebrities and politicians. Also, think about the broader appeal of your Birdathon. Have you set up a competition? Do you have the youngest or oldest birder around? Has a local business pledged to match your funds? Add this information to the attached media advisory.

The Media Advisory

Fill in chapter-specific information in the blank areas of the media advisory below. Add your chapter's birdathon "cause" information to the blank space provided in the third paragraph. We suggest the following text if you have trouble phrasing your local cause: "Audubon's environmental education programs for local schools, wetlands and forest protection, and endangered species."

Two Weeks Before You Want the Event Announced

Send the advisory to the outdoor, environment, community affairs and sports reporters, and assignment editors at your local papers.

Follow-up Calls

Invite reporters (and a photographer) to join the chapter and cover the event.

Post-Event Press

Take your own pictures during the Birdathon and send them with a revised media advisory to newspapers. Many papers will run the picture and story after the event.

National Press

Audubon will release a media advisory and will refer interested reporters to chapters.

Radio & Television

Public Service Announcement

Fill in chapter-specific information in the blank areas of the attached public service announcement and send it and the media advisory to local radio and TV stations two weeks prior to when you want the event announced.

Follow-up Calls

Invite interested reporters to join the chapter on the Birdathon.

Media Advisory

Thousands Gear up for Audubon's Birdathon -- Counting Birds for Conservation

For one day a year, thousands of Americans, from Maine to California, are marathon birders, flocking to fields, ponds and tree groves to count as many bird species as possible in the Audubon Birdathon. The Birdathon is the world's largest competitive birdwatching event.

Audubon's Birdathon is a competitive, fund-raising bird count. Participants seek sponsors to pledge donations -- from .10¢ to $10 or more -- for each bird species seen in a 24-hour period. Audubon chapters, corporations and individual competitors will hold birdathons through the United States during April and May to coincide with peak migration periods in their areas.

From dawn to late in the evening, they will tally every bird species seen for their favorite conservation cause. Since most groups expect to see between 100 and 200 species, the birders raise thousands of dollars for local conservation projects. Funds raised by the _____________ Audubon Society will be used to ________________________ Birdathon proceeds also support Audubon's sanctuaries, research, education, and efforts to protect birds, other wildlife and their habitats.

E*Mail birdathon@audubon.org
or phone 1-800-542-2748 for more info.