À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ

The Media Relations team drafts and distributes press releases for events, initiatives, developments and research that they have determined as appropriate for this particular promotion avenue. Press releases are published on Biola News and then distributed to targeted media outlets and reporters, and if necessary, shared via news wire.

Select Biola events, initiatives or developments require an extensive media strategy, including developing targeted media lists, drafting and sending individualized email pitches to reporters and calling broadcast stations and developing a press kit. Press kits are created for news media outlets so they are well prepared with all the necessary information to publish an informed and accurate Biola story. Press kits include elements such as press releases, media advisories, backgrounders, speaker bios for a press conference or program and headshots, filming opportunities, available experts for interviews and suggested interview topics, and Biola stock photos. They may also include a sample script to be used for broadcast segments and b-roll video and audio.

Approximately once per semester, the Media Relations team hosts an in-studio training for Biola faculty who are either chosen for their nature of expertise or those interested in becoming more comfortable in front of a camera for the purpose of a news media interview. This training involves being asked interview questions, being filmed while answering, watching the interview back and receiving feedback from the team.

In the event news media visits Biola’s campus, the Media Relations team is with them every step of the way to ensure they not only get the footage they need, but that they also get the best Biola angles, voices and stories. If notified prior to the visit, the Media Relations team will prepare the expert being interviewed with suggested talking points for an on-camera interview.

The Media Relations team handles obtaining and submitting data for prestigious university rankings such as the U.S. News and World Report and Princeton Review. The team is also involved in gathering statistics and information and coordinating interviews for school rankings such as the Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts being ranked in Variety, Hollywood Reporter and TheWrap.

Gathering stories from within Biola is one of the most valuable avenues the Media Relations team uses to garner positive Biola news coverage. The EmpoweRed campaign, led by the Media Relations team, is made up of administrators from all of Biola’s academic departments who submit monthly forms with information on faculty research, books, student achievements and more. The Media Relations team uses the monthly forms to then meet with key partners across the university to determine ways to highlight Biola stories, such as Biola News articles, social media posts, digital sign features, email campaigns, newsletters and more.

Biola News is managed and curated by the Media Relations team. It is used as a platform to house stories about Biola faculty research and accomplishments, new university developments and initiatives, rankings, student achievements and alumni success. Writers that are outside of the UCM team go through a writing training with the Media Relations team to remain consistent with Biola and AP style and content requirements.

When Biola does receive a news media mention, the Media Relations team adds the published piece to the Biola in the News page. This page as well as the content on Biola News feed into the weekly newsletter, the Biola Beacon.

À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ is committed to allowing students the freedom to express themselves through published writing and video. It houses four student media outlets: , , EagleVision News and The Torch Radio. The Media Relations team acts as a liaison between student media outlets and Biola administrators. The Media Relations team will handle vetting the story, scheduling interviews, providing talking points to faculty and administrators and coordinating with the student reporter. Faculty members and administrators are asked to notify the Media Relations team and redirect the student reporter back to the Media Relations team if ever directly approached by a member of student media.

Biola is occasionally approached by external organizations looking for filming locations for projects such as nonprofit work, television commercials, short films and more. The Media Relations team vets the organization, project and script before reserving space for the filming. If ever approached by an organization looking for a filming location, direct them to the Media Relations team.

Faculty profiles on the Biola directory are maintained and audited by the Media Relations team because the public profiles are one of the main ways the news media can see the experts Biola has to offer. A team of faculty profile admins that have been trained by the Media Relations team are equipped to do regular updates on their respective faculty members, but new faculty profiles are initially approved and edited by the Media Relations team.